Continuing its long-standing strategy of strategic acquisition, SRAM has announced the purchase of Ochain, an Italian start-up renowned for its innovative drivetrain componentry. Founded in 2019, Ochain has rapidly gained recognition within the gravity racing segment for its Spider technology—a mechanism that decouples drivetrain forces from suspension behavior to enhance traction, control, and ride quality.
Best known for its origins in twist shifters and its evolution into a full-spectrum component supplier, SRAM has built an expansive portfolio through acquisitions. Past additions have included industry leaders such as RockShox, Avid, Truvativ, Zipp, Quarq, and Hammerhead. The acquisition of Ochain represents the latest step in SRAM’s ongoing expansion into high-performance mountain bike systems, further reinforcing its commitment to drivetrain innovation.
The Active Spider, Ochain’s flagship product, is engineered to introduce a degree of rotational play between the crankarm and chainring. This play reduces pedal kickback and minimizes drivetrain-induced interference with rear suspension function—key concerns for aggressive trail, enduro, and downhill riding. According to SRAM Product Manager Flynn George, “We started thinking about how to improve descending through drivetrain development, and Ochain delivered unmatched improvements in traction, stability, and ride feel. It quiets down the chassis, reducing auditory feedback and pedal feedback. On the trail, that means improved traction and control.”
While originally developed for elite downhill racing, the utility of the Active Spider has broadened significantly. As SRAM notes in its acquisition statement, riders across a range of disciplines—from long-travel e-MTBs to lightweight trail bikes—stand to benefit from the technology.
Fabrizio Dragoni, Ochain’s founder, will continue to lead the brand under the SRAM umbrella from a new dedicated facility in Italy. The integration is expected to bolster SRAM’s drivetrain product line while maintaining the identity and engineering ethos that has made Ochain a standout in performance cycling.
With this acquisition, SRAM strengthens its presence in the high-end MTB component space and signals a continued focus on suspension-drivetrain integration—an increasingly critical area in modern mountain bike performance.