Over the years SRAM has gradually expanded its component empire, branching out from its original transmission business by acquiring manufacturers of suspension, brakes, and finishing kit. The obvious gap in the SRAM portfolio has been hubs and wheels.

That gap has now been plugged, with composites specialist Zipp set to become part of SRAM within a couple of months. Stan Day, CEO of SRAM said: “Zipp is a great company and respected brand, with a strong management team, advanced technology and superb manufacturing capability.”

Andy Ording, president of Zipp said: “Zipp has remained focused on market defining technology development in advanced composites and aerodynamics. After nearly two decades of carbon product manufacturing the SRAM opportunity provides additional horsepower and improved global market leverage.”

No changes are planned within Zipp itself. At the moment Zipp only does road wheels, but we’d imagine that some sort of Zipp MTB wheel will be forthcoming in the not-too-distant future.