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<><B>SRAM HISTORY</B></P><STRONG>1987</STRONG> <BR>SRAM Corp. is born and opens its first office/factory in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Total number of employees, six. First year goal: sell 100,000 units. Actually sold 1,000. Sachs introduces the Pentasport 5-speed hub.
<><STRONG>1988</STRONG> <BR>In January, at the Long Beach Show, SRAM debuts its first product, the Grip Shift® DB road bike twist shifter. The DB debuted shifting a SH-TY-20 across a 10-speed free-wheel. In April, the CAT-1 was introduced for tribars and road bars.</P>
<>Bob Mionske places fourth, riding the DB/CAT-1 in the road race at the Seoul Olympics. Scott Molina wins the Ironman Triathlon using DB/CAT-1. Sachs' first MTB components, called the Rival ATB groupset, are introduced. Grip Shift® equipped rider wins the Race Across America. Kenny Souza wins the world biathlon championships with CAT-1.</P>
<P><STRONG>1989</STRONG> <BR>SRAM introduces the CX road shifter. Cannondale specs the CX shifter on mountain bikes.</P>
<P>Grip Shift equipped racers dominate U.S. Criterium events using the CX shifter.</P>
<P><STRONG>1990</STRONG> <BR>SRAM USA employs nine people and 12 independent sales representatives to cover the U.S. dealer market.</P>
<P>World Champion Greg Herbold (HB) begins racing and winning with Grip Shift shifters.</P>
<P>The Grip Shift® CX-DT Aero Bar triathlon craze begins. Sachs' first twist grip and Powergrip products arrive on the market.</P>
<P><STRONG>1991</STRONG> <BR>Headquarters and Chicago manufacturing grows to 60 people. Taiwan factory is established with 18 employees. SRAM Worldwide grows to 90 people. The Grip Shift® SRT 300 shifter is introduced. Over 300,000 SRT 300 shifter sets are shipped to Cannondale, Diamond Back, GT, Schwinn, Specialized, Trek, and Univega. SRAM launches nationwide Dealer Tech Support Program.</P>
<P><STRONG>1992</STRONG> <BR>One-millionth shifter set produced (MY93). SRAM establishes a European office in Dortmund, Germany. The Grip Shift SRT 500, SRAM's first high-end MTB shifter makes it debut. Sachs creates the Super 7, 7-speed hub. SRAM Taiwan moves to a new facility.</P>
<P><STRONG>1993</STRONG> <BR>European HQ moves to Hengelo in the Netherlands. SRAM unveils the SRT 500R shifter, specifically designed for racing. SRAM Europe begins Dealer Tech Support Program.</P>
<P>HB (Greg Herbold) wins NORBA National Downhill Point Series on an SRT 500R shifter. Giovanna Bonazzi wins DH Worlds on an SRT 500R shifter. Sachs leads the industry in leisure biking components.</P>
<P><STRONG>1994</STRONG> <BR>SRAM's 10-millionth shifter set produced (MY95). Opening of new 4,000-square-meters North American manufacturing facility in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.</P>
<P>Bart Brentjens wins XC World Cup on Grip Shift® shifters. Missy Giove wins DH Worlds on Grip Shift® shifters. Francois Gachet wins DH Worlds and DH World Cup on Grip Shift. John Tomac wins NORBA DH on Grip Shift. Alison Sydor wins XC Worlds on Grip Shift¬Æ shifters. Henrik Djernis wins XC Worlds on Grip Shift¬Æ shifters.</P>
<P>Sachs introduces PowerDisc, the first mass produced hydraulic disc brake system. Sachs introduces Speedtronic, the first electronic shifting system.</P>
<P>Christian Taillefer sets the first high speed world record at 187.66km/h using Power Disc brakes and Power Grip shifters.</P>
<P><STRONG>1995</STRONG> <BR>SRAM opens a 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland. ESP® derailleur technology is introduced at the Taipei International Bicycle Show. Every winning bike in the Men's World Cup XC and NORBA National Championships XC are equipped with Grip Shift shifters. SRAM becomes title sponsor of the Sea Otter Classic, which has quickly become North America's most fun cycling event.</P>
<P>SRAM riders Bart Brentjens wins XC Worlds. Alison Sydor wins XC Worlds, Thomas Frischknecht wins XC World Cup. Regina Stiefl wins DH World Cup. Tinker Juarez wins NORBA XC.</P>
<P>Sachs celebrates its 100th anniversary. The Elan 12-speed is introduc |
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