About this item. Specialized Aethos Comp review: More affordable, more weight, still The photos seem to show only the chainring and drive side crank arm. Shimano R9200 brakes use Servo Wave tech, again ported from its MTB range, that gives you progressive brake action that is more aggressive at the end of the stroke and lighter when you're just feathering the brakes. Launched in 2015, RED eTap was SRAMs first foray into electronic groupsets. However, Shimano still attaches the chainrings using bolts, although we've certainly never noticed any amount of flex. To pair with the Rival AXS 12-speed chainrings and cassettes, there is a matching Rival AXS Flattop chain. The weight differences come down to materials and construction. 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. 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. The Orbit Fluid Damper provides chain retention using fluid resistance. 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? New 10-36 cassette and crank with 30/46 rings make Force eTap AXS more gravel and fondo friendly. The derailleur also comes with faster pulleys, bearings, motors and signals, improving speed in every way. All Shimano's cassettes are backward compatible with wheels with 11-speed Shimano freehubs despite having a different flange arrangement. Rival AXS derailleurs feature the same shifting precision and reliability as their Force and Red AXS siblings. Rival AXS shifters pair with any other component in the AXS line-up, including Eagle AXS rear derailleurs, for riders interested in a wide-range mullet set-up a 10-50T cassette with a single chainring. The bike suitable for a body size of 163-173 cm. Its pretty neat. So Dura-Ace runs a 12-speed chain from the XTR groupset. The levers havent really changed in shape, but the finish looks impressive with carbon levers finished with chrome graphics and a new softer and textured grip that feels good and offers a solid connection even in heavy rain wearing winter gloves. It's very intuitive and avoids the risk of mis-shifts from hitting the wrong lever. Specifications : Feature 1 Wide: tire clearance up to 700x45c and 27.5 x 2.1". The new chipset and connectivity built into the eTap AXS system has allowed SRAM to build a dedicated app so you can take advantage of its custom features. The group introduces a new spindle-based Quarq power meter, plus 2x and 1x crank, chainring, and cassette options for road and gravel bikes. Force coming in April. There's a battery indicator LED on the shift paddle to show you when it's running low. SRAM RED and Force AXS rear derailleurs use Orbit Fluid Dampers to prevent dropped chains and chain noise on rough roads. Yes, those crank arms are homely. In his time as a cycling journalist, Warren has written for Mountain Biking UK, What Mountain Bike, Urban Cyclist, Procycling, Cyclingnews, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike and T3. Once the rear mech reaches a pre-defined point on the cassette the next shift will initiate a front mech shift with the rear mech making a corresponding shift in the opposite direction to give you the next gear ratio up or down the cassette. The other really interesting part of the new AXS group is the sequential and compensating shifting options. table { }tr { }col { }br { }td { padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-left: 1px; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: bottom; border: medium none; white-space: nowrap; }.xl63 { text-align: left; vertical-align: middle; white-space: normal; }.xl64 { text-align: left; }.xl65 { text-align: left; vertical-align: middle; white-space: normal; }.xl66 { text-align: left; vertical-align: middle; white-space: normal; }. Graduations: 10-28 or 10-33 teeth. Front derailleur cable routing wireless. Similar bikes won't keep up with the Vitesse EVO Red eTap AXS while riding downhill or sprinting. SRAM eTap AXS vs. Shimano Di2 review, pros, and cons - RideCX Its GRX groupsets still stop at 11-speed. The frame is made out of carbon and the condition is Brand New. So which other groupsets is SRAM AXS compatible with? shipping country: language: [email protected] om (+49) 351 811 975 90 . Then theyll be cooking with gas. Note: Mechanical weights do not include cabling. To reduce costs, there is a slight weight penalty. It also eschews any mechanical only version of the setup, going with only their wireless eTAP shifting option. That Trek Checkpoint is now in our offices for long term review, too, so Ill report on long-term durability and function after many, many more miles. That doesnt mean they cant be easily anticipated or quickly deduced. It also has considerable weight savings compared to the NX groupset (about 300 g) and carbon and alloy crank options. The hood shape for the Rival eTap AXS shifter has changed to a narrower grip than Force or Red. You shift one (usually the right one although that's configurable) to move to higher gears and the other to shift to lower gears. Every major publication/website has only talked about AXS since it came out. Thanks for the thoughtful response. SRAM Rival AXS review: This is the wireless setup you - CyclingTips Its already an option on all of Zipps wheels and as most wheel brands already offer an XD option we cant see much of an issue with compatibility. Also, Ive already built 3 different bikes with the group and have yet to run into compatibility problems. You can also check battery status in the SRAM AXS phone app (see below). 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. Shimano meanwhile has a single central battery that's usually mounted in the bike's seat tube and powers both derailleurs via wires. SRAM Red eTap AXS 2518g / RRP 3,794 You'll save yourself around 100g by opting for Dura-Ace over Red eTap, although the latest 12-speed Dura-Ace is actually a few grams heavier than. Weight difference negligible. > SRAM unleashed a whole new concept of gearing and gear ratios. Cassettes are 11-28 (or closest) We've removed bottom bracket weight as these are frame dependant. The Rival AXS front derailleur is optimized for X-Range chainrings and uses Yaw technology, so theres no need for trim to compensate for extreme gear combinations. Brian, thats the funny thing about writing up a part thats really good with no apparent downsidespeople assume were all paid off. Bath 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. Now theyre just bringing the model to road bikes. New SRAM Force eTap AXS - Ten Things to Know If it's good enough for the likes of Peter Sagan and Mark Cavendish it's good enough for us. AXS might be the perfectly executed product to change my mind. SRAMs mechanical groupsets have always been an outstanding value (same functional parts across all levels), so why not save the cash for other fun things, right? Whether you agree with me or not, you missed out on addressing my concerns with your review. The shift buttons get a bit of texture and hood covers are softer and patterned for better grip. They use a CR1632 coin cell each with a similar battery life of around two years. 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. The only / or last one I can remember that looks decent are the original XX double MTB cranks. The group offers 33/46 and 35/48 chainrings but not the 37/50 option. SRAM Rival eTap AXS review | Cycling Weekly There are two mens world teams on SRAM, Trek Factory and Katusha Learn how your comment data is processed. The less pronounced jumps between gears make the best use of your efforts and create a more controlled cadence, as the seven 1-tooth jumps are between the gears you will use the most is better than anything currently available (bar a custom time-trial straight through cassette) and thats the Holy Grail for smoother pedaling. The brake/shift levers are bloody awful too. Red uses carbon brake levers and hollow carbon crank arms. You can slow it down via the app if it's too fast for you. First of all, lets talk about that 12th sprocket. With the same chainrings, the aluminum Rival crankset weighs 100 grams more than the carbon Force crankset. Cassette weight has been added already. And apparently the same capability but at ultegra price or less. There is something to be said for just being the best out there and sometimes that requires breaking changes that screw up compatibility. There are similar, less visible material choices other components. Overall, the group offers a not just a refreshing new take on what a road bike drivetrain can be, but also opens the doors for some pretty amazing things in the future. SRAM competitor Campagnolo might well have got to 12-speed first, but with the wireless, electronic RED eTap getting a wider revamp, which goes far beyond the fabled 12th sprocket, its taken aim at nothing less than a complete rethink of road bike gearing. Ive ridden Red etap and the delay in shifting was quite annoying considering this is supposed to be a top tier group its pretty lame that it shifted slower than 105. Wide cranksets use a longer DUB spindle that will fit either road and mountain bike bottom brackets for maximum frame compatibility. This design allows any chainset in the range to be easily upgraded to use a power meter from sister brand Quarq. But as is, Ill need someone to assuage my valid concerns about the direction SRAM is taking. Within the AXS app you can also customise what each lever does, and because the SRAM Eagle AXS mountain bike groupset shares the same protocol you can mix and match if you like. Here they are. It also offers a 50% discount to the original owner when they buy a replacement power meter/chainring set within five years. Note:Disc brake weights do not include brake hose/fluid. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Rival cassettes feature a different construction. I guess the big question is this: would I change my existing eTap RED 22-speed for this new model? Weight according to the manufacturer: kA. Hands on: Actual weight of the new SRAM Force eTap AXS 2x12 road group Quarqs crank-based power meters have become legendary for their accuracy and reliability. So what compromises are made to bring down the cost? No crank, no cassette, no chain. Want more? Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 2403g / RRP 3,701. I have a nice spreadsheet analysis, but I cant post attachments here. The SRAM Red eTap AXS Shift-Brake Levers uses wireless electronic shifting to get the job done. If it helps, Ill try real hard to find something wrong with it during my long term test! I am running SRAM force cranks and the red chainring. Both also let you fit satellite shifters elsewhere on your bars. The problem in reducing size is that you also reduce strength, so SRAM both flattened the top and made it out of a new material that is both harder and longer wearing than its old model. Let's take a look: Derailleur weight is the only functional difference in SRAM's AXS line. Would you question the quality of something if EVERY one of your friends was using it and lauded it? SRAM's Red-level rim brakes are single pivot only, whereas Shimano also has a direct mount Dura-Ace option. Rival AXS rear derailleurs use a more traditional mechanical clutch. I dont know why this is relevant besides determining where brands want to put their marketing budget. A new $249 spindle-based Quarq power meter. Clicking on the right-hand button moves the rear derailleur to larger sprockets, while a click on the left-hand button takes you to smaller sprockets. Rather, it means that you can set shift points within the app to make it work better for your style of riding and allow the rear derailleur to drop or gain 1-2 gears when you shift the front. I just wish a little devils advocacy were present in your review. Im actually pretty open minded. After three years riding the original eTap in its various rim and disc brake guises Ive been very impressed. Force uses 11-26 cassette. With SRAM ostensibly leading the way with their fully wireless 12 speed eTap AXS groupsets, Shimano made steps in the same direction with the release of semi-wireless models in 2021.. With Rival, more riders can upgrade their ride with a fully wireless design, X-Range gearing, and an integrated Quarq power meter. Orbit is a fluid damper contained within the pivot at the top jockey wheel axle. . Some of their mountain drivetrains are so sensitive to cable tension its annoying as hell. The Dura-Ace rear mech includes the battery charge port and uses the Shadow design to wrap around the cassette. SRAM unleashed a whole new concept of gearing and gear ratios as part of the new group, and it will almost certainly inform future products as well. In the wake of a tragic accident thats garnered national attention, a cycling community looks to pick up the pieces. For most riders, left-only power meters accurate enough for training and tracking their progress. SRAM Groupset Hierarchy Explainer: What You Need to Know How often do people wear out the big ring and small ring at the exact same rate? The days of riders pushing huge gears with a tiny rear block are well and truly over, as ideas and beliefs over physiological efficiency change. I hope that puts it into perspective. In Shimano's case these are wired to the levers while SRAM has both wired and wireless options. Its only when all of the improvements come together that it all starts to make sense. Which means it could be a complete folly for us to describe SRAMs new eTap AXS shifting system in such terms. Heres how it works. Both are programmable with built-in Bluetooth, both are focused on disc brakes but also offer a rim brake option and both let you add an in-series power meter. Yes, I might have to learn a whole new set of gear ratios, but it opens up so much potential for experimenting with gear ranges a road 1x setup with a 10-51 rear block is a real option for those mad enough to try! Note that the former gives you a 1:1 lowest ratio when paired to the wider range 11-34t cassette, matching SRAM's lowest range configuration. You can add me to the 12s mechanical waiting list. Not that theres anything wrong with the Dura Ace stuff, but its ridiculously expensive and I dont feel the rear shifting is any better. The problem with this, however, is that the bigger range of gears in an 11-speed cassette mean bigger jumps for the chain, which puts the system under stress, with less predictable chain jumps. Head to head: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150 Di2 v SRAM Red eTap AXS 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. Open Box - SRAM RED eTap AXS HRD Shift/Brake Lever and Caliper - Right Every review of axs so far is pure fluff. 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. You can assign the groupset to work in one of two semi-automated ways. 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. Sponsoring teams IS marketing. SRAM Red chainrings come in 46/33t, 48/35t and 50/37t options as standard, so you can have a lowest ratio below 1:1 if you use a 10-36 cassette with a 46/33t or 48/35t chainset, without losing top end ratios. For example, in the eTap AXS, the largest ring on what is effectively the double chainset has 50-teeth and the smallest sprocket is 10-teeth, which means the ratio is 5:1and the wheel will turn five times for every pedal revolution. Lever shape is largely unchanged from the original eTap. That said, when it comes to replacing my current bike or investing in another road machine then, without a shadow of a doubt, I would be wanting the radical new eTap AXS. Similarly, aftermarket groups should be shipping now, too, and you will need the complete groupsadly, nothing from the original eTap group will work here. Add contacts to an eTap battery block, pogo pins to an eTap battery cover, wire them together, and secure the battery under your bottle cage or somewhere. SRAM Force eTap AXS Wide Review | Gravel Bike Gearing SRAM Red chainrings are machines from one piece of material so are lighter and stronger than before. The pistons also retract 10% more than the previous generation callipers to help reduce the likelihood of brake rub. Well, that all depends on what kind of group you want and how you ride. The glaring bias in this review is palpable, I had to check that it wasnt a sponsored post. 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. Rival uses aluminum brake levers and crank arms, while Force uses composite brake levers and solid carbon crank arms. SRAM Etap vs Shimano Di2 - Which is Better? This is called compensating shifting by SRAM and semi-synchronised shifting by Shimano. The SRAM AXS app is used to configure its electronic groupsets. SRAMs new wireless RED eTap AXS road groupset has 12 gears, approaches road gearing in a totally new way, is available in either 1x or 2x setups and features a clutch. Sram Rival eTap AXS groupset review: Does budget electric shifting Based on SRAM's claimed weights for 2x disc brake groups without a power meter, the Rival AXS is 653 grams heavier than Red AXS, and 223 grams heavier than Force AXS. Allow Necessary Cookies & Continue Note:Di2 weights do not include wiring/junction box/battery. Enjoyed your comments Tyler. To work out the range of a cassette divide the largest sprocket by the smallest and multiply by 100, and looking at the range of AXS the ranges are broader than traditional gearing. Hes been cycling for a lot longer than that though and his travels by bike have taken him all around Europe and to California. Doing so without affecting its strength is a challenge, which led SRAM to rethinking its chain design. Rival Goes Electronic: Introducing SRAM Rival eTap AXS Clockwise from left, XX1 weighs 373 grams, X01 weighs 390 grams, and GX weighs 454 grams (battery cover not included). These are then mounted onto the crank arm directly using a splined interface. The Flattop design allows for a narrower chain without compromising strength or durability. BA1 1UA. r/bikewrench on Reddit: SRAM red chainring on force cranks Shimano Dura-Ace brakes come paired with XTR MTB brake rotors, Shimano's E-Tube app can be used to fine tune shifting. How is that possible on a decade old groupset? Plus the cost of consumable parts like the chainrings? The XD driver had been adapted for the road, wth the XDR driver, which is ever so slightly wider than its off-road equivelant, allowing for a smaller 10-tooth sprocket, which opens up a whole new set of numbers to achieve even bigger gear ranges. There are no wires to route through the frame, which simplifies setup. Buyer's guide to road bike groupsets | Cyclist A radical drivetrain reinvention that feels every (gear)inch the future, Yes, I might have to learn a whole new set of gear ratios, but it opens up so much potential for experimenting with gear ranges, SRAM claims a 2.518kg complete weight for the group (and add 36g for the power meter), GBP 3,349.00 RRP Whereas the previous generation Dura-Ace's levers were a miracle of miniaturisation, the R9200 ones have actually grown a bit so they're just slightly smaller than SRAM's. Once you've paired all the connecting parts to the apps over Bluetooth you can then choose to make either groupset work in two different ways. 2021 Road & Gravel Groupset Weight Comparison - CCACHE You are a genius! Shimano Dura-Ace v SRAM Red eTap AXS: Everything you need to know By signing up for email newsletters, you agree to BikeRumor's, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). Basically, the fluid clutch works amazingly well and, theoretically, shouldnt sap any extra juice out of the derailleurs battery. SRAM RED eTap AXS Actual Weights Road 2x (48/35 combo) - 419g with powermeter Road 1x (48t X-Sync) - 395g with powermeter Left crank - 156g Front derailleur - 165g with battery Rear derailleur - 247g with battery 10-33 Cassette - 211g Shifters - 233g/234g with coin cell batteries installed Updated Blip Box - 24g FWIW, Ive asked several times when the mechanical 12-speed groups are coming and only getting radio silence, so Im guessing they simply dont want to spoil the surprise. SRAM's second-generation Force AXS electronic groupset takes cues from A remote mount for the battery would give even more clearance at the front derailleur. You can keep track of battery levels within the mechs and shifters and also assign up and downshifts to whichever lever you want. Shimano Di2 (Ultegra & others) vs. SRAM AXS: What's Better, Weight 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. The difference to Red eTap AXS is 541 grams. 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 reduction in the chains size has meant that it has more clearance than the previous model when its sitting on a sprocket i.e. This consistency means they only need one rear derailleur cage length, and chainring pairs are all machined as a single piece, so theyre easy to swap in and out thanks to their direct-mount design. 2021 Road & Gravel Groupset Weight Comparison Updated Apr-2021 (added Rival AXS 12-speed) Crankset weights will vary depending on size and length. Ive come to expect great ideas with mediocre execution from SRAM. Power meter upgrade (spindle only) - $249, Front derailleur (battery not included) - $175, Rear derailleur (battery not included) - $370. Also note that since as standard the power meter is integrated into the chainrings, which SRAM says it's done to ensure the best accuracy, you need to replace this too when you replace the rings. Compare them to DA or Ult di2 and Sram should be embarrassed. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. It is compatible with 1x and 2x eTap AXS drivetrains. 2023 SRAM Force AXS & XPLR groups updated with lighter, better tech. SRAM's hoods house the hydraulic brake reservoirs as well as the shifter electronics. Theres a limit as to how fast you can move the chain from one cog to the next and still have it engage the teeth properly, and the multi-shift (holding down the shifter to run up or down multiple cogs at a time) is already pushing that limit. Shimano doesnt release duds and sram does? Most of their parts in general are aesthetically acceptable, with the exception of their crank arms. The * means that its not actually checking your power and efficiency to optimize cadence for you, personally. The new brake rotors are the first SRAM has produced that are dedicated to the road, previously adopting designs from its extensive mountain bike line-up. SRAM Red eTap AXS Groupset (2 x 12 Speed) - Performance Bike they executed that new xtr real well. You can also buy a single ring chainset or power meter with chainring sizes from 36t to 50t. Because the Rival power meter is spindle-based, it only reads power from the left crank arm. Well, I only rode the one bike with the one combo, but yes, Id say so. Heres all of our tech stories from the SRAM AXS launch event: Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. What is the shift speed like? Can its new 12-speed eTap AXS repeat the trick? When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Numerous reviews have been written but none that I have read comment on what is in my opinion, Reds biggest shortcoming noticeably slower shift speed relative to Di2 and for that matter mechanical. The rear mech on the AXS has also had an upgrade. Now, a more affordable little brother has joined the AXS family. Adding an extra sprocket reduces space, which means the width of the chain must be reduced. Even better, theyre now available consumer direct and in select shops in the U.S. and Canada. While it looks super shiny, its the shape that sees the biggest change the plates are not only thinner, but a different shape, with the chains links having a flat top edge.