Originally published at: SRAM Continues With the Roll Down - Slowtwitch News
Following the much-appreciated and impressive updates from the RED AXS launch last year, SRAM rolls down its premiere-line features into the Force and Rival AXS groupsets, bringing the loved lever ergonomics, better braking and lighter weight to those looking for the latest wireless tech and performance at more friendly price points.
Packaged in 12 speed for road as Force and Rival AXS, the gravel side brings 13 speed under the single chainring XPLR gruppos. Each offers a broader gear range and smarter shifting performance, while the favorite of the upgrades has to be the ergo improvements across the entire touchpoint experience. More comfort, lever adjustability and one-finger braking make it a joy to take the controls. The lever design was the result of over four years of testing and user feedback, blending a great fit with tactile grip and predictable stopping power.
UPDATED ERGO
Ergo and grip pattern for Force
Ergo and grip pattern for Rival
Let’s talk some basic number claims: Both Force and Rival claim a 80% less effort when braking from the hoods, and 30% less effort from the drops, trying to offer more modulation and less pre-braking contemplation as you dive into corners, or send it down gravel washboards. If this is remotely true (we haven’t got our hands around them yet), this would be a much needed step forward in with SRAM’s continued catch up in the market place.
Simply put, this is a necessary upgrade from previous versions, keeping SRAM faithful under the red umbrella, and those who lean blue questioning their cockpit choices.
Now that we know that we can stop, let’s talk forward movement. The wider gear ratios, auto-trim from SRAM yaw, and improved movements from the chain, along with enlarged pulleys and enhanced chainrings, handle the power transfer in a new and refined way. A tighter rear cassette ratio on the 1x system still ends at 46T, though, so if you really want a “granny gear,” you’re going to have to make sure the front chain ring can make up for that lack of 5-tooth gap in the rear compared to others on the market.
2x 10-36T Cassette
1x 10-46T Cassette
UPGRADES ON WEIGHT
Weight was reduced across the board, dropping 183 grams for Force and 223 grams for Rival, leaving less to bring along the journey.
| 2,686 g | Force E1 XPLR AXS with power meter |
| 2,770 g | Force D2 XPLR AXS with power meter |
| 2,961 g | Rival E1 XPLR AXS with power meter |
| 2,984 g | Rival D1 XPLR AXS with power meter |
For the deep divers we have attached the whole list.
Light is great for the road, but gravel adventures need a robust option that will get you through the rough times. The XPLR group takes advantage of the continued push for the UDH dropout and comes with many rebuildable and replaceable components in case your off-piste excursions and gravel skids get a little more wayward than planned.
SRAM 1x rear Force XPLR
POWER AND CRANKS
The one thing SRAM figured out a long time ago was the importance of power measurement. And that is one of the many reasons it has converted so many triathletes with their move to gravel. Here are some of the benefits of the new systems:
- Claiming to offer +/- 1.5% accurate readings, you have options on both sets of groups with the range of 160, 165, 170, 172.5, and 175 mm crankarm lengths standard across the board.
- Aero chainring option in 44T and 46T
- Long battery life (400+ hours) to power a season of rides
- User replaceable AAA lithium battery
- DUB bottom bracket adds durability and simplicity
- Waterproof (IPX7 waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes)
If you are a power pedal user don’t worry – as SRAM always has offered, there is a non-power option as well.
PACKAGE DEALS
The groupsets are available now as complete, or package, upgrades to your current ride. There are also new builds that have recently been announced by numerous bike manufacturers. SRAM continues to group things like the Hammer Head into these offerings.
In conclusion, it’s nice to see the roll-down effect from SRAM to these new group sets, and there is a lot to like with this new launch. We love cool RED stuff, but we also need things that are affordable and functional.
Finally, what does this all cost?