Ok, so I did a new build last year and was excited to go to the AXS setup. (I am worried I starting to regret that now)
I have a few problems I am trying to iron out.
#1. my 2x setup currently drops the chain a decent amount from the front rings. I am trying to fix this but so far haven’t had luck.
#2. I have a 50/37 chainring setup and at times wish I had larger options, but don’t want to spend a fortune on the SRAM big boy chainrings … also can’t find them anywhere? (Also see above dropped chain problems of 2x)
#3. I am thinking of going to 1x with a 50 or 52t chainring but the only options seem to be SRAM with power meter and I don’t need a powermeter as I use my favero.
I run SRAM Dub crankset right now but I am open to swapping that if anyone has good solutions to any of my problems.
Anyone have experience with the aerocoach chainrings on AXS?
Just simply not loving how limited my options are with AXS and very frustrated by the dropped chain problems.
Honestly if I could solve the chain drop stuff I would spend the extra money on larger chainrings and a 1x ring and be done with it
#1. Buy a rival 22 yaw front derailleur that comes with a chainspotter and put the chainspotter on your bike. It’ll keep the chain from dropping and is the best chain catcher on the market. It’s adjustable without messing with the front derailleur position and has a guard that doesn’t allow it to be pushed by the chain inwards.
#2. The SRAM big boy rings are typically only available just before the Tour in very limited quantities so SRAM can supply them to their sponsored teams and say the parts are “available to the public”. They are also only available as power meters. If you join the AXS owners facebook group, sometimes the SRAM employees will chime in when they are available and you can purchase the rings from them.
I started a thread this Summer about AXS chain drop. I followed the advice of others and got a $20 chain catcher. That solved the drop problem.
I also switched to a mechanic more experienced with AXS on tri bikes. My former mechanic was an authorized SRAM dealer, and claimed to have a lot of experience with them (more on the MTB side). I don’t think he was getting the alignment and micro adjustments right. SRAM AXS is super finicky. Better mechanic made it super smooth, which is the rationale for buying this premium product.
You mention trying some things - what have you tried so far? I’m assuming you’ve been step by step through the setup manual?
Having only ever set up Shimano mech I just did my first Force AXS and found the manual easier to follow and setup easier to do than Shimano. So far no drops. There are also setup/positioning tools that come with groupsets or can be bought separately if you find those kinds of helpers helpful, and the micro adjustments for me were quicker than using the nut on a mech derailleur.
Maybe my setup was dumb luck, or more likely my chain will drop tomorrow now that I’ve posted this!
Going to bump this thread rather than start a new one.
Did you, or anyone else, end up finding a decent solution for bigger axs chainrings without the cost of their “pro” rings? Tempted to just toss a different crankset with 53/39 rings on and just see how it works but I need a new bottom bracket first. Two concerns there are whether the force FD can work with chainrings bigger than 50 and whether the flattop chain will just feel bad on standard 11sp chainrings. I did order an aliexpress 1x 54t axs specific chainring, but just not many options for 2x rings still.
Not really a great solution, but works (and I spent enough time maxing out the 50/10 in races that I wanted to try):
stone axs adapter 8bolt to 110bcd (from aliexpress or croder also makes some). Paid 50$
front derailleur riser (rotor or aerocoach or other). 30$
bought a praxis 52/36 which neither I nor my lbs managed to set up right. Shifting pins never catched the chain properly. Exchanged the inner for a 38t because I was told the axs derailleur might not be happy with a too big gap (standard 11 speed one, not sure if an axs version exists). 160+30$
That altogether makes a 52/38 work. Shifts are slower but fine. About a quarter of the cost of the sram official solution.
Aerocoach has promised a 54/40 Aten Dual chainring with axs compatibility and 107bcd mount for soon (like end of August or so), I asked them to be informed when released because that may be less of hacking a solution… I would possibly then move the hack to my road bike and set the aten up on my tri bike.
Good info, thanks! And you’re using that with the SRAM flattop chain as well? Was the FD riser definitely needed? Like no way anything bigger than a 50 would have worked without it?
For my bike, yes. Barely. Without it, the chainring would be fine but the chain starts rubbing on the little lip of the derailleur when crossed to anything beyond 18t or so on the back
I’m curious what your rear derailleuer is. Apex is spring and Force/Red use a hydraulic clutch to keep chain tension. I’m also curious about your chain length.
I ran 1x SRAM Red eTap 11sp and went to Force AXS this year with the same crank… a chain ring I’ll link below. Mine isn’t the AXS mount since my BB setup is for GXP.
Initially I was running a 1x SRAM chainring and this solid ring is actually a little lighter. No chain drops to date. I do run the Aercoach chain catcher as a little insurance.