SRAM highway bike groupsets provide probably the most various vary of choices of all the massive three manufacturers. Its groupsets have eclipsed each Shimano highway groupsets and Campagnolo groupsets within the sheer vary of choices. They cowl each highway driving and gravel biking, the place SRAM was a pioneer with wider vary 1x choices effectively earlier than Shimano gravel groupsets or Campagnolo Ekar and Ekar GT got here to market.
SRAM gives absolutely wi-fi digital shifting with its AXS groupsets, and, till the newest iteration of Shimano Di2, had the lead on in-built configuration by way of a Bluetooth app.
SRAM groupsets are utilized by six Women’s WorldTour groups and within the males’s WorldTour by the Lidl-Trek, Movistar and Visma-Lease a Bike groups, the final of which swapped to SRAM from Shimano in 2013.
Here’s a run-through of the SRAM highway bike groupset vary and what it gives. But first, a fast information to SRAM’s groupset terminology.
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SRAM highway groupsets: Terminology and hierarchy
SRAM divides its highway bike groupsets into 4 ranges. At the highest is ‘Red’ which is its premium groupset utilized by its sponsored professional groups. Next down is Force, then Rival, and at last Apex. The identical hierarchy is utilized to its 12-speed AXS digital groupsets and its older 11-speed and 10-speed groupsets.
AXS is SRAM’s title for its 12-speed wi-fi digital groupset tech, and its accompanying configuration app. The 11-speed SRAM Red digital groupset was labelled eTap and SRAM ported this label to its 12-speed eTap AXS groupsets too, nevertheless it’s now dropping the eTap from the nomenclature, simply calling them Force AXS, and so on.
Within every groupset tier, there are double chainring (2x) and single chainring (1x aka one-by) choices. AXS groupsets additionally add wider vary XPLR cassettes and derailleurs, aimed toward gravel riders.
In August 2024, SRAM launched its newest iteration of Red XPLR AXS for gravel riders. This 1x groupset provides a thirteenth sprocket in a cassette with a 10-46t vary. There’s additionally a brand new Full Mount rear derailleur configuration, ported from the model’s newest Eagle Transmission MTB derailleur.
SRAM highway and gravel groupsets: Range overview
SRAM 12/13-speed groupsets
12-speed and wi-fi, it is the last word in fashionable shifting with a variety of choices
Specifications
Shifting: Wireless
Braking: Disc
Speeds: 1×12, 2×12
Weight: 2,499g 2x
Cranks: 160mm – 175mm
Chainrings 2x: 46/33t, 48/35t, 50/37t (plus 52/39t, 54/41t, 56/43t aftermarket energy meter choices)
Chainrings 1x: 50t (plus 48t, 50t, 52t, 54t, 56t, 58t, 60t, 64t, 68t energy meter choices)
Cassette: 10-28t,10-30t,10-33t,10-36t
Reasons to purchase
Fully wi-fi shifting
+One finger braking
+Cross compatibility with MTB elements
+Wide vary
Reasons to keep away from
Expensive at RRP
–Power meter and chainrings are a one-piece inseparable unit
Red AXS is the second technology of SRAM’s wi-fi groupset which in 2024 noticed your complete system overhauled from the bottom up. Now accessible in disc brake solely, the 10-tooth smallest sprocket solely permits it for use with an XDR freehub and there is a particular flat high chain to match.
At the again, the rear mech options Orbit – a speed-sensitive fluid damper which does the identical job as a roller-bearing clutch. The fluid damper permits the derailleur cage to rotate ahead easily throughout shifting in order to not overtax the motors or battery. This system additionally eliminates chain slap and improves safety, that means the identical derailleur can be utilized with each 1x and 2x entrance chainrings.
The customary rear mech works with cassettes as much as 36 enamel and one or two chainrings. Front and rear derailleurs have their very own separate batteries hooked up to the again of the derailleur physique to energy their shifting for a claimed 60 hours. They are rapidly detachable for recharging on a USB powered cradle and swappable if one (normally the rear) offers out.
The cranks will settle for each single and double chainrings, that are all single piece in building – you should buy them with a built-in Quarq energy meter. While this creates a stiffer and lighter unit, if you happen to put on out or harm one of many chainrings, you will want to interchange your complete unit, together with the facility meter. The retail value is over €1000, though SRAM gives a 50 per cent low cost on a substitute unit.
SRAM is providing 4 one-piece cassettes milled from a single metal billet; 10-28t, 10-30t, 10-33t and 10-36t, which mix with each 1x and 2x chainrings — the jumps between the 2x chainrings are 13-teeth in each combo.
Even if you happen to go for a smaller chainring on the entrance, the 12-speed cassette gives an intensive unfold of ratios because of the 10-tooth smallest cog. In most circumstances, this gives a broader vary than conventional highway gearing. There’s a brand new iridescent choice and an identical chain too, if you wish to exhibit a bit.
Complete Red chainsets can be found in 46/33t, 48/35t and 50/37t. This sounds as if it might give low gearing, however when paired with a 10-tooth cassette sprocket, this nonetheless gives an even bigger high gear than the extra generally discovered 52x11t. You may purchase a separate energy meter package, which provides 52/39t, 54/41t and 56/43t choices, designed for professional riders and time trials.
SRAM sells single chainring cranksets with between 36 and 50 enamel in two-tooth increments as they characteristic a narrow-wide tooth profile to raised mesh with the chain, and 48t, 50t and 52t energy meter kits. All have filled-in, reasonably than drilled chainrings to up their aero quotient.
To make room for that additional cog on the again, the gear spacing has as soon as once more obtained smaller leading to a narrower chain. SRAM has bolstered the chain by introducing a brand new flat-top building, which is claimed so as to add energy and enhance shift efficiency.
The second-generation Red AXS has a brand new lever design with a much less pronounced rise on the entrance. SRAM has repositioned the brake lever pivot and brake fluid reservoir so that there is now higher leverage. It boasts mild contact, one finger braking in consequence.
The new groupset is built-in into SRAM’s AXS ecosystem, that means it can play good with the Eagle AXS derailleur must you need to use the 12-speed MTB cassette in your gravel bike, or the RockShox Reverb AXS dropper submit must you really feel the necessity to get additional rowdy.
AXS may speak wirelessly to a companion app and means that you can customise the shifting controls, together with the Blip remotes in addition to monitor the battery life and firmware updates.
Most Red AXS groupsets are equipped with SRAM HRD hydraulic disc brakes and levers, however you too can buy Red rim brakes and the related mechanical shift/brake levers. SRAM sells aero brake levers for TT bars in addition to wired and wi-fi Blips satellite tv for pc shifters that may be linked into the AXS system.
1×13-speed with robust Full Mount rear derailleur
Specifications
Shifting: Wireless
Braking: Disc
Speeds: 1×13
Weight: 2,488g
Cranks: 160mm – 175mm
Chainrings: 40t, 42t
Cassette: 10-46t
Reasons to purchase
Wide vary with shut ratios at high finish
+46t get-out gear
+Hanger-free mech
Reasons to keep away from
Limited vary flexibility
–Only matches frames with a UDH-standard rear dropout
–Loses cross-compatibility with 2x
The newest version of SRAM Red XPLR AXS has grown from 12 pace to 13 speeds. There’s a brand new derailleur to alter gears throughout the 10-46t cassette, which mounts on to the rear axle, eradicating the mech hanger. Since this was designed to be the weakest hyperlink in shifting, bending or breaking if the derailleur took successful, its absence can permit extra exact alignment.
The Full Mount derailleur connects to both facet of the body’s dropout, so the connection may be very sturdy. It’s the identical design as SRAM’s Eagle Transmission MTB derailleurs and SRAM has movies on its website of riders standing on that with out impacting its shifting. Full Mount additionally signifies that a number of adjustment screws should not wanted.
The swap to 13 speeds signifies that Red XPLR AXS has misplaced some cross-compatibility with Red AXS 2x, though each use the identical shifters, chain and brakes.
There’s just one cassette, with a 10-46t vary which supplies unfold and shut ratios on the high finish and solely two chainring choices, 40t and 42t. The non-power meter crankset has direct mount replaceable chainrings, as utilized in road-going SRAM Red; the facility meter makes use of a brand new Threadmount customary, which makes them replaceable individually from the facility meter, not like with the highway chainrings.
The Full Mount derailleur will solely match on a motorcycle body that follows SRAM’s UDH derailleur hanger customary. There’s vary that do, however equally loads that don’t, though extra gravel bikes are being launched which have a UDH dropout. There are additionally chainline and chainstay size constraints.
SRAM Force AXS
Trickle-down tech at its most interesting
Specifications
Shifting: Wireless
Braking: Disc
Speeds: 1×12, 2×12
Weight: 2922g 2x disc
Cranks: 165mm – 177.5mm
Chainrings 2x : 46-33t, 48-35t, 50/37t
Chainrings 1x: 40t
Cassette 2x: 10-28t, 10-30t, 10-33t, 10-36t
Cassette 1x: 10-44t
Reasons to purchase
Same guts and efficiency as Red AXS, only a bit heavier
+Huge vary of configurations
Reasons to keep away from
Heavier than Ultegra Di2
SRAM Force AXS is the right instance of trickle-down know-how. It had an improve in early 2023, which has given it a brand new look and simplified some elements.
Yes, it is barely heavier and fewer bling than the Red equal however on the highway, Force AXS gives kind of the very same efficiency. The new Force AXS groupset even seems extra like Red than its predecessor. Instead of the separate chainrings and crank spider, it will get the one-piece direct mount chainrings utilized by Red. As with Red, the facility meter is built-in, so you should substitute the entire unit as soon as it is worn out.
All the electronics are the identical, however the brand new Force groupset has had its shift levers slimmed down. This makes them simpler to grip, however removes chew level adjustment for the brakes and the choice to suit wired Blips satellite tv for pc shifters, though you’ll be able to nonetheless use wi-fi Blips.
Other variations carried ahead from V1 Force AXS embody the cassette, which is pinned collectively versus a one-piece machined unit.
Like the Red AXS groupset, the rear derailleur additionally employs the Orbit fluid-based damper that means the identical derailleur works for each 1x and 2x purposes and gives added chain safety. There’s additionally a 1x-only XPLR derailleur which works with a Force-level 10-44t cassette.
The crank arms are aluminium wrapped in carbon reasonably than hole carbon fibre. Force eTap AXS nonetheless will get a flat-top chain, although the pins are stable and the chainrings are stamped reasonably than milled.
Force AXS Wide
With its emphasis on gravel driving, SRAM gives single chainring and double chainring Wide cranksets. These have a 5mm wider axle than a normal chainset that shifts the chainline 2.5mm outboard, permitting you to suit wider tyres. They additionally provide decrease gearing, with a 40t single chainring chainset and energy meter and 43/30t chainset and energy meter (with separate chainrings and spider) bought. There’s a Wide entrance derailleur that is wanted to work with this. Wide chainrings should not appropriate with non-wide ones because of a distinct bolt circle diameter.
As a part of the AXS ecosystem, Force AXS elements can speak to Red AXS and Eagle AXS elements and will be blended and matched with out considerations about compatibility. The new Force AXS groupset is disc brake solely.
Electronic shifting at a price range value
Specifications
Shifting: Wireless
Braking: Disc
Speeds: 1×12, 2×12
Weight: 3200g approx 2x, 2800g approx 1x
Cranks: 160mm – 175mm
Chainrings 2x : 46-33t, 48-35t
Chainrings 1x: 38t, 40t, 42t, 44t, 46t
Cassette 2x: 10-30t, 10-36t
Cassette 1x: 10-44t
Reasons to purchase
Robust supplies
+Same 2x, 1x and Wide choices as Force AXS
SRAM Rival AXS ports the model’s 12-speed wi-fi digital shifting to a 3rd value level. It makes use of much less unique supplies than Red or Force AXS – suppose metal as a substitute of alloy for the entrance derailleur cage, alloy as a substitute of carbon fibre for the brake levers and a weight that will increase by round 230g over Force and 700g over Red.
The Orbit rear mech damper from SRAM’s pricier choices is changed by a mechanical clutch. The hydraulic disc brakes do not characteristic SRAM’s Bleeding Edge design, making it a bit more durable to bleed them they usually too are heavier than Red or Force AXS elements.
You nonetheless get a lot of SRAM’s 12-speed performance although, with the identical wi-fi gubbins and AXS app compatibility, in addition to mix-and-match potential if you happen to fancy a little bit of Red along with your Rival or a mullet construct with an Eagle AXS MTB rear mech and cassette.
As with the brand new Force, you’ll be able to’t use wired Blips with the shift levers and there isn’t any chew level adjustment to the (disc solely) brakes. There’s solely a single sided energy meter choice, which can be accessible as an improve (though all Force energy meter configurations besides the conventional width double chainring are additionally single sided).
Also just like Force, there are Wide single and double chainring choices and a Rival XPLR 1x-only rear mech and 10-44t cassette for gravel riders.
Four variants with big selection and mechanical choices
Specifications
Shifting: Wireless or mechanical
Braking: Disc
Speeds: 1×12
Weight: 2,872g – 3,062g
Cranks: 160mm – 175mm
Chainrings 1x: 40t, 42t
Cassette XPLR: 10-44t, 11-44t
Cassette Eagle: 10-50t, 11-50t, 10-52t
Reasons to purchase
Wide vary Eagle choice
+Mechanical or digital shifting
SRAM’s fourth tier Apex groupset is 1×12 pace solely and gives each AXS digital and mechanical shifting choices.
For every, there is a narrower vary XPLR variant which makes use of a 10-44t or an 11-44t cassette. There’s additionally an Eagle variant, which works with Eagle MTB cassettes to supply extensive ranges with 50 or 52 tooth largest sprocket cassettes. XPLR and Eagle variants use totally different chains and cassette spacings, so that you select one or the opposite.
The crankset makes use of the Wide spacing and as with Rival, there is a single sided energy meter choice. The 11-tooth smallest sprocket cassettes make Apex appropriate with customary Shimano/SRAM freehubs, reasonably than requiring an XD or XDR wheelset.
SRAM legacy groupsets
SRAM continues to promote its older 11 pace groupset elements. While digital Red eTap AXS 22 is actually discontinued, you will nonetheless sometimes discover 2×11-speed or 1×11-speed mechanical groupsets specced on new bikes. Apex 1 11-speed, particularly, is usually specced on entry-level gravel bikes.
SRAM Red eTap
Now previous however nonetheless gold
Specifications
Shifting: Wireless
Braking: Disc, twin pivot rim
Speeds: 2×11
Weight: 1970g rim / 2236g disc
Cranks: 165mm – 175mm
Chainrings 2x: 46/36t, 50/34t, 52/36t, 53/39t, 55/42t
Chainrings 1x: N/A
Cassette: 11-25t, 11-26t, 11-28t, 11-30t, 11-32t
Reasons to purchase
Intuitive shifting
+Wireless
Reasons to keep away from
Can’t customise shift instructions
–22 gear combos solely
–Iffy entrance shifting
SRAM’s Red eTap was the primary commercially accessible wi-fi highway groupset, which laid the groundwork for AXS. While it has been outdated for a few years now, it is nonetheless accessible and an choice for roadies on the lookout for digital shifting and content material will 11 speeds. Red eTap marked SRAM’s intuitive shifting system; push the paddle on the best shifter for a more durable gear, the left shifter for a better gear, and each collectively to shift on the entrance.
Available in each rim- and disc-brake HRD variations, it was the primary product to characteristic SRAM’s Airea wi-fi protocol. According to SRAM, it determined in opposition to Bluetooth or ANT+ as a result of the corporate needed to keep away from interference and stave off would-be hackers, too.
Red eTap turns 11 cogs on the again and is appropriate with brakes, chains, chainrings and cassettes from the Red, Force or Rival mechanical groupsets if you happen to’re hoping to mismatch and save money.
There aren’t any cables connecting the shifters to the derailleurs. Each derailleur is powered by a separate battery and SRAM says the rechargeable cells ought to final about 1000km. In distinction, the shifters are powered by CR2032 coin cell batteries however solely should be changed each couple of years.
Unlike the AXS package, Red eTap shouldn’t be geared up with any kind of clutch or damper, so there isn’t any 1x resolution. There are customary or WiFli variations of the mech which may deal with as much as 28t and 32t cogs respectively, providing much less vary than the newer AXS groupsets.
SRAM Red 22
Still one of many lightest groupsets accessible
Specifications
Shifting: Mechanical
Braking: Disc, twin pivot rim
Speeds: 1×11, 2×11
Weight: 1778g rim / 1984g disc
Cranks: 162.5mm – 177.5mm
Chainrings: 46/36t, 50/34t, 52/36t, 53/39t, 55/42t
Cassette: 11-25t, 11-26t, 11-28t, 11-30t, 11-32t
Reasons to purchase
Lightweight
+Positive and correct shifting
+Comfortable hoods
Reasons to keep away from
Doubletap takes some getting used to
–Hydraulic levers have a divisive aesthetic
Red 22 is probably the most weight-weenie pleasant groupset on the market, weighing in about ~200g lower than Dura-Ace 9100 and mechanical Super Record. Mechanical shifting can be nonetheless a hyper-reliable technique of shifting that may be mounted on the roadside utilizing conventional strategies.
The DoubleTap shifters transfer the chain with a constructive click on; half a push shifting the derailleurs right down to a smaller cog, and an extended stroke pushing it up the cluster. Red 22 additionally permits cross-chaining with out the necessity to trim the Yaw entrance derailleur — although SRAM does not essentially advocate driving this fashion.
The rear derailleur is on the market in a standard- and a long-cage WiFLi model which permits for a 28t or 32t cog on the rear, and there are entrance chainrings accessible from 39t as much as 55t.
SRAM Force 22
Best for the privateer racer
Specifications
Shifting: Mechanical
Braking: Disc, twin pivot rim
Speeds: 2×11
Weight: 2054g rim / 2232g disc
Cranks: 165mm – 175mm
Chainrings 2x: 46/36t, 50/34t, 52/36t, 53/39t
Cassette: 11-25t, 11-26t, 11-28t, 11-32t, 11-36t
Reasons to purchase
No loss in efficiency, only a few additional grams on the size
+Lighter than Ultegra 11-speed
Reasons to keep away from
Rim brakes lack in energy
Remember what we stated about Force AXS eTap and that it is largely the identical as Red only a bit heavier? Well, the identical applies to SRAM Force 22. It makes use of the identical DoubleTap mechanical shifting, options the Yaw entrance derailleur and there are each customary and WiFLi variations of the rear derailleur.
Available in each rim- and disc-brake variations, Force 22 is lighter than Shimano Ultegra too, nevertheless it’s additionally costlier.
With carbon-fibre cranks, Force sees a two-piece arm and spider design which adopts the hidden bolt design used within the earlier Red 10-speed crank. Chainrings are available in combos starting from the burly 53/39t, right down to a mountain pleasant 46/36t.
Force 1
High-performance CX and gravel grinding groupset
Specifications
Shifting: Mechanical
Braking: Disc
Speeds: 1×11
Weight: 2446g
Cranks: 162.5mm – 177.5mm
Chainrings 1x: 38t, 40t, 42t, 44t, 46t, 48t, 50t, 52t, 54t
Cassette: 11-25t, 11-26t, 11-28t, 11-32t, 11-36t, 10-42t
Reasons to purchase
Clutch rear derailleur
+Narrow-wide tooth profiles
Reasons to keep away from
Cassette has just a few large jumps
Previously often called CX 1, SRAM Force 1 takes the identical supplies and efficiency as Force 22 however ditches the entrance derailleur. SRAM pressured the extinction of the MTB entrance mech in addition to main the highway/gravel/CX 1x motion.
Only accessible with hydraulic disc brakes, the principle variations between Force 22 and Force 1 are within the rear derailleur and 1x crankset. Force 1 is designed for bikes prone to spend most of their time away from paved roads, so it is no shock to see it borrowing design options from the model’s MTB derailleurs, together with a roller-bearing clutch. This system provides a little bit of friction to shifting however drastically reduces chain bounce and dropped chains.
The second large distinction is the narrow-wide X-Sync tooth profiles discovered on the entrance chainrings and jockey wheels. Alternating between tall sq. enamel and conventional triangles, the extensive edges grip the chain and stop it from falling off, whereas the sharp enamel hold all the things working in line. X-Sync chainrings can be found in sizes from 38t as much as 54t.
The rear derailleur can deal with each an 11-36t highway cassette and a 10-42t MTB cassette, granted you match an XD driver physique and lengthy cage.
Rival 22
Just like Red at a fraction of the fee
Specifications
Shifting: Mechanical
Braking: Disc, twin pivot rim
Speeds: 2×11
Weight: 2348g
Cranks: 170mm – 175mm
Chainrings 2x: 46/36t, 50/34t, 52/36t
Cassette: 11-28t, 11-28t, 11-32t
Reasons to purchase
Lighter than 105 gearing choices
+Crank and body compatibility
Reasons to keep away from
Same lack of brake energy as Force
Occupying roughly the identical area as Shimano’s 105 groupset, Rival 22 leans closely on know-how from Force and Red. With the 22 moniker, you get a double chainset paired with 11 gears on the again, utilising the identical DoubleTap trim-free shifting over your complete cassette.
The levers characteristic the identical ergonomics as their costlier cousins in each the rim-brake and hydraulic-disc variations, however all of the carbon bits have been changed by aluminium. If we’re trustworthy there isn’t any actual loss in efficiency, the size simply reads a bit greater.
At this degree, a 52/36t is the most important chainring mixture accessible, together with 50/34 and 46/36. At the again, the cassette is on the market in 11-26t, 11-28t and 11-32t and will be had in each quick cage and WiFli rear mech choices.
Rival 1
1x on a price range
Specifications
Shifting: Mechanical
Braking: Disc
Speeds: 1×11
Weight: 2690g
Cranks: 165mm – 177.5mm
Chainrings 1x: 38t, 40t, 42t, 44t, 46t, 48t, 50t
Cassette: 11-42t
Reasons to purchase
Simple and environment friendly
+Clutched rear mech
Reasons to keep away from
Gear modifications denoted with a loud clang
Just like Force, Rival can be accessible as a 1x particular group. There aren’t any carbon bits to be discovered right here however, most significantly, the Rival 1x rear mech options each a roller-bearing clutch and the X-Sync narrow-wide jockey wheels and chainrings. Available as a short- and long-cage model, the derailleur can settle for a 36t or 42t 11-cog cluster.
Like Force 1, Rival 1 is barely appropriate with hydraulic disc brakes.
Apex
Entry-level gear pioneer
Specifications
Shifting: Mechanical
Braking: Dual pivot rim
Speeds: 2×10
Weight: 2419g
Cranks: 170mm – 175mm
Chainrings 2x: 48/34t, 50/34t
Cassette: 11-23t, 11-26t, 11-28t, 11-32t, 11-36t, 12-25t, 12-26t, 12-27t, 12-28t, 12-32t, 12-36t
Apex occupies the entry-level step of SRAM’s highway groupsets. There are solely 10 sprockets on the rear cassette however Apex nonetheless sees crisp DoubleTap shifting. The derailleur hasn’t been up to date to the Yaw profile, so to keep away from chain rub as you progress down the cassette, you will have to trim as you go.
Apex was the primary to supply a 32t rear cog, although it did not take lengthy for Shimano and Campagnolo to comply with go well with; the rear derailleur is on the market in short- and WiFli long-cage varieties. The crank seems a bit dated, however the chainrings keep SRAM’s Powerglide enamel and can be found in 50/34t and 48/24t sizes.
SRAM not lists Apex 2×10-speed on its web site, though you should purchase substitute shifters, so it seems as if this groupset is ripe for retirement.
Apex 1
Entry degree 1x is able to shred
Specifications
Shifting: Mechanical
Braking: Disc
Speeds: 1×11
Weight: 2719g
Cranks: 165mm – 175mm
Chainrings 1x: 40t, 42t, 44t
Cassette: 11-42t
Reasons to purchase
11-speed
+Clutch-equipped rear mech
+Crank with chain information
Reasons to keep away from
Weight
–Shifting a bit stiff
Trickling all the way in which right down to the entry-level Apex is the roller-bearing clutch rear derailleur and its lengthy cage able to accepting a 42t cassette. The entrance chainrings nonetheless have the narrow-wide X-Sync enamel however are backed up with a series information for added safety. Confusingly, though 2x Apex is 10-speed, Apex 1 is 11-speed. That signifies that the 2 Apexes should not appropriate, however Apex 1 will work with Rival 1 or Force 1 bits.
Even as an entry-level choice, the SRAM disc calipers are hydraulic, although they do provide a cable-driven lever ought to bikes be geared up with a mechanical actuation.
All about SRAM
Who is SRAM?
SRAM is an acronym for Scott, Ray and Sam, the three founders of the American-based agency that started off producing grip shifters for highway bikes in 1987. While these shifters did not promote significantly effectively, SRAM tailored the know-how for off-road use and it grew to become an prompt hit among the many mountain biking fraternity.
Since then the corporate has made important strides so far as technological developments and world-firsts go, having launched wi-fi shifting in addition to pioneering wider, decrease highway bike gear ranges, gravel groupset configurations and the 1x and 12-speed drivetrain revolutions.
What else does SRAM do?
SRAM does not simply make highway and gravel bike groupsets. It’s an enormous participant in mountain bike elements, rivalling Shimano. A major a part of its MTB tech has spilled over into its gravel groupsets and to a lesser extent its highway bike groupsets as effectively.
In specific that features the give attention to single ring groupsets and the rear derailleur tech to shift over actually giant cassettes, utilizing a clutch to maintain issues working easily.
Whereas Shimano has traditionally developed its MTB and highway bike tech individually, leading to an absence of cross-compatibility, a lot of SRAM’s MTB componentry will be run with its highway bike groupsets.
That permits the mix-and-match “mullet builds” favoured on some gravel bikes, the place highway bike shifters can be utilized with a wide-range MTB cassette and an MTB derailleur that may deal with it. “Business up entrance and occasion in again”, as SRAM says.
SRAM has emphasised the mullet as an choice for its AXS 12-speed groupsets, the place the digital shifting means that you can use its Eagle AXS 12-speed MTB elements on the rear, however its constant cable pull ratios between highway and MTB groupsets imply you can construct a mechanical mullet too if you would like.
What different manufacturers does SRAM personal?
SRAM has used its energy within the groupset market to vacuum up a major portfolio of different biking manufacturers, including them to its product household and producing cross-compatible merchandise.
For roadies and gravel riders, Zipp wheels and elements are probably the most high-profile SRAM-owned model. Some Zipp elements are cross-branded with SRAM merchandise with the XPLR label, signifying that they are designed for gravel.
SRAM additionally personal Quarq, integrating its energy meters into its cranksets, in addition to promoting them as stand-alone merchandise.
SRAM competes within the biking laptop head unit market as effectively, with its Hammerhead model biking laptop. At current, there’s just one product, the Karoo. It’s well-regarded although and we will anticipate Hammerhead to increase its vary in future, simply as its fundamental opponents Garmin and Wahoo have.
Another model that SRAM has acquired within the final couple of years is the Time pedal enterprise. Twenty years or so in the past, Time was a major participant within the highway bike pedal market, nevertheless it’s languished since, regardless of making the XPRO 12 SL, the lightest (and most costly) pedal accessible at a claimed 174.6g a pair.
It has intelligent blade tech as effectively, the place the pedal binding stays open till the cleat is engaged, reasonably than the rider having to pressure the cleat into the pre-tensioned binding.
Now Time is again within the WorldTour with the Trek-Segafredo and Movistar males’s groups and three girls’s WorldTour groups. Expect SRAM to place cash into revamping the Time pedal vary.
The most blatant improvement can be a pedal energy meter, increasing the Time pedal vary and giving Quarq its first pedal-based product, though when it relaunched the Time pedal vary in April 2014, SRAM stated that this wasn’t on the playing cards.
SRAM now additionally owns the Velocio clothes model, marking a transfer from bike {hardware} into delicate items for cyclists.
More MTB cross-over tech comes from the RockShox suspension enterprise. You should purchase a RockShox Rudy XPLR suspension fork to your gravel bike and match a RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper submit out again. As its title signifies, the Reverb seatpost is electronically operated and appropriate with AXS highway bike elements.
Finally, SRAM owns the Truvativ MTB element model. Its cranksets have previously been seen on a spread of decrease priced mountain bikes. At current, there are simply three elements bought bearing the Truvativ emblem, so it seems as if SRAM could also be merging the model’s product vary into the SRAM portfolio.
What subsequent for SRAM?
SRAM has been intelligent at integrating its various product portfolio throughout its manufacturers, which we would anticipate to proceed. We’d anticipate additional integration and broadening of its highway bike providing, with merchandise like new Time pedals and Hammerhead computer systems.
Hammerhead makes use of an Android-based working system, which supplies it a number of cross-compatibility with smartphone tech, so even tighter integration is feasible right here. It’s additionally been first to market with options like on-the-fly climb profiles when not following a pre-planned route. It’s in all probability obtained different new options within the pipeline as effectively.
Zipp continues to innovate each in highway and gravel wheelsets, with designs like its NSW wave-form wheel profiles. It’s switched wholesale to hookless beads for its highway wheels, making them cheaper and lighter and spearheading the drive to wider rims run at a lot decrease tyre pressures. It even has pressure-monitoring valves to be sure that they’re staying inflated. Lenticular disc time trial wheels have gotten sizzling tech, however Zipp has bought a lenticular disc design for years.
Zipp has some intelligent gravel wheel tech too, like its single-wall Moto rims, ported from its MTB wheelsets, that are designed to flex to evolve to the floor as you trip over it.
SRAM itself is certain to proceed its double-headed push in highway and gravel, with extra cross-compatible merchandise. Many bike manufacturers see the spill-over of single ring groupsets onto highway bikes as inevitable and some have put their cash the place their mouth is, promoting frames and not using a entrance derailleur hanger.
As the variety of accessible speeds grows, there’s much less and fewer motive to have a entrance derailleur to permit a large unfold of substances ratios with single-tooth jumps within the mid-range, which is the place most driving takes place and fine-tuning your gear is most vital.
Even the professionals are abandoning their entrance mechs in some races, with Paris-Roubaix and flat time trials being the stand-out examples.