SRAM turns it as much as 13 with new Red XPLR AXS gravel groupset, plus super-wide Zipp wheels, handlebars and tyres

It was solely again in May that SRAM launched the newest model of its flagship highway groupset, Red AXS. Jump ahead simply over two months and the model has revealed a brand new model of the groupset geared toward gravel driving, referred to as Red XPLR AXS. 

We initially noticed this groupset getting used at Unbound Gravel in June, and there was loads of hypothesis as to what the brand new groupset may very well be, however SRAM has now confirmed our suspicions that it was probably an XLPR (pronounced ‘discover’) model of the brand new groupset. 

The headline addition to the brand new Red XPLR AXS groupset is an additional sprocket on the cassette making this SRAM’s first 13-speed groupset becoming a member of Campagnolo’s Ekar gravel groupset. 

SRAM has borrowed a lot of present applied sciences present in its mountain bike Transmission groupsets for the rear derailleur, most notably the transfer to a full mount system. This does away with a standard derailleur hanger, as an alternative mounting the derailleur on to the body to extend stiffness and enhance shifting accuracy. 

The levers, brakes and chain stay unchanged from the road-going groupset with the XPLR AXS replace specializing in the rear derailleur, cassette, cranks, chainrings, and energy meter. 

Alongside the brand new variant of the groupset, SRAM has launched a broader ecosystem of latest gravel tech with a brand new gravel-specific Zipp 303 XPLR wheelset, new gravel handlebars, in addition to XLPR tyres which were designed in collaboration with Goodyear. 

The Zipp 303 XLPR wheelset is obtainable in both a premium SW construct or a extra inexpensive S construct with each wheelsets sporting an extremely large 32mm inner rim width designed to extend aerodynamics when paired with wider tyres. This transfer to an excellent large rim does imply that solely licensed tyres are appropriate, with the 2 choices from Goodyear at present the one ones accessible. 

We’ve been testing the brand new groupset for some time and you may learn our in-depth evaluation right here. As nicely as our tackle the brand new Zipp 303 XPLR SW wheels. 

Red XPLR AXS rear derailleur

At the center of the brand new gravel group is a brand new wi-fi AXS rear derailleur that may accommodate a further sprocket over the road-going model of SRAM’s top-tier groupset. 

The Red XPLR AXS rear derailleur is the primary time we have now seen the Full Mount interface away from the Transmission AXS mountain bike groupsets. This mounting system does away with a standard derailleur hanger and as an alternative bolts the rear derailleur on to the rear triangle. 

The motive behind that is to create a extra direct meeting between the rear wheel, cassette, body and derailleur. Essentially the rear axle of the bike bolts on to the derailleur making a stiffer pathway. This permits for extra crisp and correct shifting and goes a few of the approach to clarify how SRAM has managed so as to add the thirteenth sprocket to the cassette. 

The transfer to this full mount system does imply that the brand new Red XPLR AXS groupset will solely be appropriate with bikes that sport a UDH rear derailleur hanger design. 

SRAM seems to be to have mixed options from its newest Transmission collection of mountain bike groupsets with the just lately launched Red AXS groupset. The derailleur options no adjustment screws which goals to make set-up and upkeep a neater job. The pulley wheels characteristic the model’s ‘Magic Wheels’ know-how that enables the outer floor of the pulley wheel to spin, even when a stick will get caught within the internal part. 

In the occasion of injury or mechanical points, the rear derailleur will be disassembled into smaller modules that may be changed, saving the necessity to exchange the entire unit. A pleasant characteristic when the rear derailleur prices £700 / $700 / €785. 

All new 13-speed cassette

The different new addition is the 13-speed wide-range 10-46 tooth cassette. Although the cassette boasts a powerful 460% vary that’s meant to supply all of the gearing a rider would wish on a gravel journey, the inclusion of a thirteenth sprocket has allowed SRAM to maintain the jumps between every gear tight. 

The cassette is appropriate with SRAM’s personal XDR driver physique design and flat prime chains. At 288 grams the Red XPLR cassette is 80 grams heavier than the 10-33 tooth 12-speed Red cassette. 

Power Meter and chainset

Joining the all-new cassette and rear derailleur is an XPLR-specific energy meter crankset. This makes use of a spider-based energy meter that can also be accessible individually as an improve to measure each left and proper inputs. 

The energy meter is appropriate with SRAM Red thread-mounted chainrings from 38-tooth via to 46-tooth, giving riders a alternative of 5 chainring choices. For these trying to run an ordinary chainset with out the ability meter, the chainrings mount utilizing SRAM’s acquainted eight-bolt system. 

SRAM claims that the ability meter affords an accuracy of +/-1.5% with energetic temperature compensation. This implies that whatever the adjustments in climate throughout a experience the ability meter will robotically compensate. This prevents the necessity to perform extra zero-offset calibrations throughout an extended experience. 

The CR2032 battery that powers the meter is claimed to final round 200 hours with the entire system rated to IPX7 which certifies it as waterproof to a depth of 1 metre for as much as half-hour. 

Zipp 303 XPLR SW wheels

Alongside the brand new gravel groupset, Zipp has launched two gravel-specific variations of its extremely profitable 303 wheelset. With gravel races getting sooner, Zipp believes that there’s a vital aerodynamic benefit available from a gravel tyre aero-optimised wheelset. This is the place the 303 XPLR SW and XPLR S are available in, sporting a 54mm rim depth. SRAM claims that the pairing of the Goodyear Inter or Slick gravel tyre and 303 XPLR affords a five-watt saving over its nearest competitor. 

The rim width has additionally been up to date for the XPLR vary to raised match the broader tyres utilized in gravel races. Commonly gravel riders use tyres starting from 38mm as much as 50mm. The 32mm inner rim width of the XPLR 303 wheelsets permits riders to reap the aerodynamic advantages of a homogenous gravel-specific wheel tyre system. 

The wider rim profile goals to permit riders to run decrease pressures than was beforehand potential (the model claims beneath 30psi) with out inflicting points while cornering. 

At 1,496 grams for the top-spec 303 XPLR SW wheelset, they’re remarkably light-weight given their depth, width and general construct development. For instance, the rim edge on these wheels is 77% thicker than on earlier fashions in an try to scale back the potential for pinch flats. The wheelset is obtainable with both SRAM’s XDR driver physique or an SRAM/Shimano HG physique. Campagnolo’s N3W driver physique is obtainable individually.

At 1,642 grams, the cheaper XPLR S wheelset is round 150 grams heavier than the extra premium SW wheelset, however it does retain all the bodily aerodynamic attributes. It has the identical 32mm inner rim width and 54mm depth, however to scale back value the wheels sport Zipp’s 76 / 176 DB hubs relatively than the ZR1 hubs, and are solely appropriate with SRAM’s XDR freehub or a SRAM/Shimano HG physique, foregoing compatibility with Campagnolo N3W. 

Although the edges for each the S and SW wheelsets are hookless and due to this fact ruled by the ETRTO most stress restrict of 73psi, SRAM has really gone one step additional with these wheels with a licensed most stress of 50psi. This is partly as a result of significantly wider inner rim width. 

Due to the rim’s tremendous large inner rim width, each the 303 XPLR SW and S fashions are solely appropriate with Goodyear’s newest XPLR Slick and Inter tyres which were launched alongside the wheelset. 

SL 70 XPLR gravel handlebar

It’s not simply the 303 XPLR wheels which are new from SRAM’s element subsidiary Zipp, as an all-new SL 70 XPLR handlebar has additionally been launched. Coming in 5 widths from 40cm as much as 48cm, they provide a variety that’s suited to off-road driving. 

The bars have been designed particularly to work seamlessly with SRAM’s Red AXS brake levers with hidden exterior routing for hydraulic hose routing into the stem in addition to outlined locators for placement of AXS auxiliary blip shifters. 

To enhance management when driving on the drops, the bars characteristic a five-degree flare from the hoods to the drops and an 11-degree outsweep. This creates a place on the drops that’s 6cm wider than the hoods. 

Goodyear XPLR tyres

The last new launch comes courtesy of Zipp’s partnership with tyre producer Goodyear. The manufacturers have collaborated on two new tyres which were designed particularly for the Zipp 303 XPLR wheelset. 

The Inter is a tyre developed to be used in dry to combined situations with a good fast-rolling tread sample within the centre of the tyre that opens out in direction of the edges of the tyres to supply traction for cornering. 

Zipp says “the XPLR Inter affords essentially the most versatile gravel setup with 303 XPLR and will be ridden in most conditions.” The tyre makes use of Goodyear’s Dynamic:UHP tyre compound that’s claimed to extend grip while additionally lowering rolling resistance. 

Developed to be used on the tremendous large 32mm inner rims of the 303 XPLR wheels, the Inter tyre measures in at 45mm when inflated. The Zipp says, “The new XPLR wheel and tyre system takes a wholly new method and optimizes the scale of the elements to attain the quickest setup available on the market. Besides unsurpassed aero advantages for gravel, the ensuing width of the rim additionally permits decrease tyre stress, which helps filter out vibrations for additional power financial savings.” 

For sooner situations there may be the XPLR Slick, measuring in at 40mm when inflated on Zipp’s 303 XPLR rim it’s the narrower of the 2 tyres. The Slick because the title suggests is healthier suited to clean and reasonable gravel roads in dry situations. 

The Slick goes one step additional than the Inter with a totally slick centre to permit for essentially the most environment friendly rolling platform while driving in a straight line. Beyond the slick profile of the centre of the tyre heading in direction of the sidewalls, the tyre floor does add some texture and protecting blocks to extend rider confidence while cornering. 

Availability

All gadgets inside the Red XPLR AXS vary might be accessible instantly at launch, with some OEM availability too. Notably, Specialized has even redesigned its Crux gravel bike with UDH compatibility to accommodate the brand new SRAM groupset.