Beyond these changes, little things like improved texture on the shift paddles and visual refinements add up to a group that offers a drastically improved experience. The other really interesting part of the new AXS group is the sequential and compensating shifting options. Red uses carbon brake levers and hollow carbon crank arms. What is the shift speed like? By pairing these to smaller chainrings, SRAM has been able to provide more gear range at the back that exceeds the top and bottom gearing of traditional ratios, as well as seven consecutive one tooth changes. I guess the big question is this: would I change my existing eTap RED 22-speed for this new model? Gear ratios arent a new thing and 10t cogs have been around for a while.The XD driver was a great innovation. Campagnolos answer was to add a 12th sprocket to fill the gap in the centre of the block, which works to an extent but doesnt entirely solve the problem. But sometimes people dont have unlimited budgets. As mentioned above, both SRAM and Shimano offer either rim or disc brake options. Force uses this same spider for the 2x system, making it easy to swap chainrings from 2x to 1x with the swap of chainrings and chainring bolts only. The Dura-Ace rear mech includes the battery charge port and uses the Shadow design to wrap around the cassette. Graduations: 10-28 or 10-33 teeth. Small vision with great execution. Hes been riding gravel since before gravel bikes existed too, riding a cyclocross bike through the Chilterns and along the South Downs. Shop now RED ETAP AXS HRD SHIFT-BRAKE SYSTEM Updated Apr-2021 (added Rival AXS 12-speed), Older Post The intuitive simplicity of SRAM RED eTap with an added performance of hydraulic road disc brakes (HRD). Small gains in aerodynamics here or weight loss from a bikes chassis there are often breathlessly described as game-changing, when in fact theyre merely reasonable, expected gains brought about through refinement by clever sorts. Weight weighed: kA. Advanced chain management keeps it silent and secure no matter the terrain. Adding a 12th sprocket to the cassette reduced the space in between the cogs, so SRAM designed a new 12-speed chain which it took as an opportunity to create the distinctive looking flattop chain now in use. Which leads me to the last big change: Gearing. Weight according to the manufacturer: kA. What is the point of weiging just right crank arm? Even the current RED E-Tap is a pretty rare thing to find on a shop floor so its difficult for an interested rider to experience. Its a little reminiscent of a BMX/Track half link, but these are full length links, The new XG-1290 cassette starts from a 10-tooth sprocket and is compatible with XD-R freehubs, The RED eTap AXS shifters are essentially the same shape as the previous shifter but with a carbon and chrome makeover and a new more ergonomic hood cover, AXS means both 1x and 2x drivetrains, but 1x doesnt just mean cross and gravel, SRAM also has this new 1x aero chainset for TT and triathlon with a spider mounted Quarq power meter option, The cross 1x chainset also has a power meter option, If youre not a fan of disc brakes SRAM also offers the new eTap with a rim brake option, A fluid damper built into the rear mech takes care of chain retention meaning eTap is now an option for cyclocross and gravel riders, With SRAMs AXS app (for iOS and Android) you can run firmware updates to the system (and power meter), look at battery levels, and assign actions to the shifters, as well as add-on blip controls and activate the shift modes, SRAMs reworking of gear ratios compared to its Shimano equivalents, SRAMs range of gearing offers a wider spread than we would have imagined, The new rear mech uses the exiting eTap battery as does the front mech, SRAM has finally produced a dedicated rotor for the road, and with its sculpted carrier and stainless (round-edged) brake track it looks the business, The new cassette keeps a close ratio of single-tooth jumps for the first seven sprockets, Ive been riding the new eTap for a few months now on Orbeas new Orca, which is available with the new eTap and Mavic Cosmic carbon Pro UST wheels and FSA K-Force carbon finsihing kit for 7,649. The pistons also retract 10% more than the previous generation callipers to help reduce the likelihood of brake rub. SRAM Red eTap AXS 12-speed Wireless electronic shifting Rim brake and disc brake options 10-tooth smallest sprocket requires XDR driver freehub body Orbit Fluid damper rear derailleur Power. There are two mens world teams on SRAM, Trek Factory and Katusha Which I have always noted was lacking with etap as did another commenter. Even better, theyre now available consumer direct and in select shops in the U.S. and Canada. 2023 SRAM Force AXS & XPLR groups updated with lighter, better tech. SRAM says that this ability to absorb water is an advantage if you do get damp in your brakes, as it means that it's less likely there will be free water droplets in the hoses than with an oil-based system, where it would boil at 100C and so potentially impact performance. Quarqs crank-based power meters have become legendary for their accuracy and reliability. Now theyre just bringing the model to road bikes. The move to 12-speed could have been just another trinket to get people to part with their hard-earned cash, but what SRAM has achieved with eTap and its fresh approach to modern bike drivetrains could well be the shape of things to come. Their shift ramps are super clunky (not a feature btw as some people suggest). SRAM has always majored on gravel bike riding and now bundles this functionality into its XPLR range, which is available at Red eTap AXS spec level. SRAM's Red-level rim brakes are single pivot only, whereas Shimano also has a direct mount Dura-Ace option. The Rival AXS rear derailleur uses a spring clutch that improves chain retention over rough surfaces and keeps the drivetrain quiet and free of chain slap. We've got full reviews of our experience of riding both SRAM Red eTap AXS and Shimano Dura-Ace R9200, but if you're not sure which is for you and want a more direct comparison read on. The Takeaway: New parts offer lower gearing options for SRAM's eTap AXS 12-speed groups. The weight differences come down to materials and construction. With the exception of a brake warranty issue (albeit a pretty big one), this is hardly the truth. Gear steps: 12. You can slow it down via the app if it's too fast for you. Note: SRAM eTap component weights includes batteries because batteries all weigh the same. Rival AXS provides a more affordable alternative to the Force eTap AXS group and the top-of-the-line Red eTap AXS group. As with all products in the AXS ecosystem, the AXS app allows riders to adjust shifting modes, personalize their controls, and gain insight into how they use their drivetrains. It also has considerable weight savings compared to the NX groupset (about 300 g) and carbon and alloy crank options. Upon reflection, I wasnt constantly chasing that sweet spot thats so elusive on something like a 50/34 combo. The upside is that all new products moving forward (at least for the next couple years) will be built on this platform and be cross compatible. Gear percentages, as seen in the above chart, refer to the gear range of the cassette, or the difference between highest and lowest available gears. The Flattop design allows for a narrower chain without compromising strength or durability. Rival is only available with hydraulic disc brakes. It's worth noting though that Shimano's rear mechs also come packed full of tech, including the brand's Shadow design which is borrowed from its mountain bike groupsets. Will that luster hold up? For the crank weight, where is the spindle and left crank arm? Expect a full test of this new Orca soon, but Ill just say its a bike thats every bit as impressive as the gearing its running. Manage Settings The sheer quality of the operation is magnificent and the addition of an app adds the last piece of the puzzle to the user-friendliness of eTap (both old and new). 124K views 1 year ago Is Shimano Ultegra Di2 the best electronic groupset to buy in 2021, and how does it compare to its main rival, SRAM Force eTap AXS? SRAM's top-tier RED AXS drivetrain offers fully wireless shifting that's precise, programmable, and lightweight 800 Series OCLV Carbon is intensely light and meticulously crafted for next-level performance The Aeolus RSL 37 wheels are designed for climbing, and were developed alongside monda Ummmm no, they just downsized things. The first ten sprockets are machined together, as are the largest two. The derailleurs and shifters each contain their own battery, and the connection between them happens over an encrypted, wireless protocol. This groupset shifts from a more traditional 11-speed cassette arrangement to a 12-speed cassette configuration. Red cassettes are machined out of a single block of steel to minimize weight. SRAM clutch mechs are fixed tension, while Shimano ones have an on/off switch and user-adjustable tension. The rear mech will work with either a 1x or 2x system and to get around the need for a clutch on a 1x system, used to retain chain tension on rough terrain, SRAMs come up with a clever alternative, called Orbit. It uses SRAMs narrow-wide direct-mount X-SYNC chainrings that provide chain retention in rough terrain. About this item. The 13-teeth jumps were first used in their XX MTB gruppo. See more When comparing identical drivetrain configurations, RED eTap AXS weighs about 300g less than Force eTap AXS depending on the groupset configuration type you've selected. So which other groupsets is SRAM AXS compatible with? I am running SRAM force cranks and the red chainring. With 48/35t chainrings, 175mm cranks, a 10-30t cassette, and hydraulic disc brake calipers, the claimed weight of a complete Rival eTap AXS group is 2,783 grams. Even better from a value point of view is the "entry-level" Aethos Comp complete bike, which comes equipped with SRAM's new Rival eTap AXS wireless electronic groupset, a nice carbon fiber . SRAM's eTap AXS components, in contrast, are wireless. Although the shift speed increase is greater at the rear, it's more noticeable at the front. SRAM Rival eTap AXS brings all the benefits of the earlier (and much more expensive) releases - at a fraction of the outlay. SRAMs break with traditional gear ratios has meant some radical design changes chainset included. Weight 169g. The Vitesse EVO Red eTap AXS is easier to ride up hills than similar bikes. Hes been cycling for a lot longer than that though and his travels by bike have taken him all around Europe and to California. Every review of axs so far is pure fluff. It is compatible with 1x and 2x eTap AXS drivetrains. Firstly, theres sequential; when you activate the next available gear it will automatically actuate the front derailleur to keep the ratio change even between shifts, and therefore keep your cadence steady. Designed without wires or cables the eTap wireless drivetrain is paired with SRAM's advanced HydroHC technology to provide a simpler shifting and better braking system with improved control and ergonomics. I just think theyre an inconsistent company when it comes to quality. It developed a new type of freehub body the XD Driver for the dirt, which introduced 12-speed gearing to its flagship Eagle groupset, and has cleared the path for use on the road too. He has covered all the major innovations in cycling this century, and reported from launches, trade shows and industry events in Europe, Asia, Australia, North American and Africa.