SRAM acquires GPS computer brand Hammerhead

SRAM has acquired US cycling tech company Hammerhead, maker of the Karoo 2 cycling computer. Hammerhead will join SRAM’s portfolio of brands that includes RockShox suspension, Zipp wheels and handlebars, TIME Sport pedals, TRUVATIV bars and cranks, and Quarq power technology.

SRAM also offers a huge range of groupset components under its own brand name, of course, covering road, gravel and mountain biking.  

SRAM says, "Together, SRAM and Hammerhead will continue to develop an innovative cycling technology platform ensuring riders can seamlessly integrate with a wide variety of existing hardware and software products and services including both Shimano and SRAM electronic shifting."

Check out the road.cc Recommends Tech Innovation of the Year 2021/22

SRAM is keen to point out that Hammerhead – which is one of the companies that Chris Froome recently bought into – will carry on operating as a standalone brand and developing its Karoo product line. 

“We are... excited that their team will continue to design, manufacture, and sell technology and quality leading head units that work with every brand of drivetrain,” said Clint Weber, SRAM’s VP of Growth.

That said, you'd expect a company the size of SRAM to have ambitions to expand Hammerhead's range considerably and maybe even hope to take on the likes of Garmin and Wahoo in the cycle computer market. 

You can already pair a SRAM eTap/AXS shift system with a Hammerhead Karoo 2 head unit to see your current gear on the screen but there's perhaps potential for greater integration in the future.

It's pure speculation but maybe SRAM would like to get into developing training software and wants to have a device for sending sessions to, similar to Wahoo's plan with its SYSTM training platform. Who knows? Any other ideas, stick 'em in the comments below.

SRAM says that it saw tremendous potential in Hammerhead with the launch of the Karoo 2 in late 2020 and that Hammerhead's revenue grew by 700% over the past year. 

The Karoo 2 has made a huge impact since hitting the market, and earlier this week we gave it the Editor's Choice award in Tech Innovation of the Year 2021/22. 

Read our review of the Hammerhead Karoo 2 here. 

Although most of SRAM's acquisitions have had positive outcomes, the company bought the PowerTap line of power meters from Saris in 2019 and discontinued the systems within two years. That said, many observers wondered why SRAM acquired PowerTap in the first place when it already owned Quarq power technology. 

What features would you like to see next from your GPS cycle computer?

www.sram.com
www.hammerhead io