New SRAM Red groupset: Lightest-ever, with sooner shifting, however there’s one factor we simply do not perceive

Sram has launched the brand new Red AXS groupset in the present day, ending months of debate and hypothesis on when it might formally seem. There have been sightings of the brand new groupsets since December 2022, in addition to leaks and sightings right here and there alongside the best way. American producer Sram additionally needn’t fear about having to attend for the brand new gear to say a victory on the street: Demi Vollering and Jonathan Milan have damaged that specific duck already.

Sram launched its Red eTap AXS groupset in 2019, however in some way half a decade has handed since then and the time appears to be proper for Sram to drop the ‘eTap’ title which will not characteristic going ahead and roll out a brand new era of Sram Red AXS. 

Let’s get straight to it, price-wise, the groupset comes out at $4,200 with an influence meter chainset and $3,700 with a non-PM chainset specced. That value will even embrace a brand new Hammerhead Karoo good pc, (Sram owns Hammerhead) and we perceive sure top-spec bikes with the groupset will even embrace the brand new Hammerhead pc. At time of launch there isn’t a choice to not purchase the Hammerhead. This places the brand new Sram Red AXS in between its two essential rivals; Shimano Dura-Ace and Campagnolo Super Record WR price-wise.  

According to Sram, each a part of the Red groupset has been overhauled and refined. Lowering the load of particular person parts throughout the board appears to be like to have been a spotlight. The model claims the brand new Red AXS is now the lightest digital groupset ever, tipping the scales at 2649 grams in its lightest permutation. 

There’s extra to this launch story than simply the brand new groupset although. Sram has launched three different new merchandise along with the brand new groupset in the present day from its portfolio of manufacturers. Two have been designed particularly to combine instantly with the brand new Red AXS groupset. The first is a model new Hammerhead Karoo pc which might be included with the brand new group at buy, although it is value mentioning that the groupset will nonetheless work with out it. The second is a brand new Zipp SL80 Race handlebar which is designed to combine with the shifter hoods. Lastly are some new Goodyear Vector R NSW and SW tyres which have been specificaly designed to suit Zipp’s 303 and 353NSW hookless, tubeless rims.

We’ll get into the small print of the brand new groupset beneath. You can discover weights, costs and loads of tech data on all the brand new parts. Cyclingnews attended the launch of the brand new groupset earlier within the yr and our in-depth evaluation is right here so that you can learn.

Gear shifters and bonus buttons

The new Sram Red AXS shifters are one of the vital eye-catching components of the brand new groupset and numerous change appears to be like to have occurred there. Sram says ‘true one finger braking is at hand’ relating to the brand new shifters’ efficiency. 

The Red AXS shifter our bodies and brake lever blades now characteristic a brand new form and measurement. A pair of extra sq. ‘bonus buttons’ now characteristic on the within of every shifter hood, while a relocation of the interior brake piston is claimed to offer a lighter braking really feel. New markings on the rubber hoods themselves additionally support with the shifter angle setup.

First up is the form, the brand new shifters are ever so barely longer while being smaller in circumference. Which Sram says will present a greater ‘finger wrap’ on the hood (see picture above). The ‘pommel’ – what Sram calls the highest of the shifter has acquired a discount in measurement. The carbon fibre brake levers even have a extra distinct curve and are barely flared now. The new design has, based on Sram, ‘been designed to suit the widest vary of hand sizes’. Weight-wise, Sram claims a shifter, brake caliper and brake hose save 83 grams over the earlier era. 

Another new characteristic of the shifters is the ‘Bonus Buttons’ that are set as much as present an extra shift level choice. The buttons additionally present ANT+ gadget management for the Hammerhead Karoo and suitable bike computer systems permitting customers to make use of the buttons to scroll by pc information pages with out taking their palms off the bars.

The shifters additionally characteristic a tethered rubber port within the entrance of the lever blade that enables for lever attain adjustment while rolling again the hood will give entry for pad contact adjustment. The shifter hoods characteristic texturing (as do the shifter paddles) and the hood markings themselves act as a setup instrument to attain the advisable Sram shifter setup angle of +7 levels which they are saying most closely fits the brand new shifter form.

Component availability has been a problem for a number of years. For this launch Sram says groupsets might be accessible globally alongside new bikes specced with groupsets, the flexibility to purchase single components will come later within the yr based on Sram.

Front and rear derailleurs

The Red AXS rear derailleur appears to be like pretty completely different to the outgoing unit. There’s extra silver happening in comparison with the largely black earlier era. There’s a smaller ‘Red’ emblem, a bigger 14-tooth decrease derailleur pulley and maybe most manifestly a bit of fabric has been faraway from the front-facing derailleur physique plate, saving 16 grams over the earlier model. 

There will now solely be a single rear derailleur choice as an alternative of the earlier era’s two. The new unit is suitable with current AXS batteries and has a variety of 10-28T – 10-36T cassette sizes. The derailleur additionally retains the Sram orbital fluid damper which aids chain retention on rougher floor. Larger X-Sync pulley wheels improve effectivity and match ‘present aesthetic preferences’. They additionally characteristic ceramic bearings.

The entrance derailleur plate width has been narrowed which Sram says ought to ‘present sooner and extra correct entrance shifts’. It’s additionally acquired an auto trim performance which the model says ought to get rid of all chain rub. A brand new FD setup instrument has additionally been developed alongside the entrance derailleur which Sram says ought to guarantee improved shifting efficiency and a simplified course of.

The entrance mech has two mounting positions and accepts 46/33  – 48/35 – 50-37 – 52-39 – 54-41 – 56-43 will work with earlier era X-Range chainrings. (excluding 43-30)

Braking

We have touched on a number of the brake adjustments within the shifter part particularly the change in place of the gear lever brake piston. Sram claims easy one-finger braking is now right here with the brand new levers whether or not driving on the drops or the hoods. Sram claims when examined as compared with Red Etap AXS the brand new Red AXS brake levers require 80% much less effort when braking from the hoods and 33% of the hassle when braking from the drops. 

There are additionally new Paceline X disc rotors which characteristic a lightened aluminium service which appears to be like pretty completely different to the present Centreline XR rotors and a brand new brake monitor which the model says will present quieter braking. 

The new calipers at the moment are a two-piece providing which Sram says is stiffer. There additionally seems to be some removing of fabric from the calipers themselves to save lots of weight, in addition to a slight relocation of the caliper outboard piston to help the brand new lighter braking really feel. 

Chainset and energy meter

The new Red AXS chainset options hole carbon fibre crank arms that are a claimed 29 grams lighter than the earlier era as a result of an optimised carbon layup. Sram informed us they had been really being utilized by Jonas Vingegaard on the Tour de France final yr. 

The energy meter loses the ‘Quarq’ branding and is claimed to be correct to +/-1.5% while offering an L/R energy steadiness. Like the outgoing era, the facility meter is built-in with the chainrings, that means drivetrain care and maintenance might be necessary. 

Looking by the groupset specs, it is clear there are an terrible lot of crankset variations, to the extent {that a} complete value of $3,000 for the groupset bar the crankset is listed, you then spec which chainset choice you want. Chainrings might be accessible in 33/46 – 35/48 and 37/50 configurations with aftermarket bigger ‘professional’ sizes of 39-52 / 41-54 / 43-56 additionally accessible. There are 13 tooth variations between all double chainrings which ensures dependable shifting based on Sram. Crank arms might be accessible in a brand new 160mm measurement by to 175mm. 

A 1x Red crankset choice can be accessible with 48 and 50T chainrings ought to riders need to run a 1x street setup. The chainset may be upgraded to an influence meter unit or with completely different measurement aftermarket chainrings.

Cassette and chain

The Sram XG-1290 cassette is out there in 4 sizing choices together with a brand new 10-36 configuration and 10-30T, a primary for Sram Red. 

The cassettes are one-piece machined metal and are all accessible in a typical or rainbow oil slick end with a Sram XDR freehub fitment. 

The new Red E1 flattop chain has been lightened additional, dropping 13 grams from the earlier era. Hollow chain pins stay and the chain hyperlinks now additionally characteristic a cutout design. 

Chains have chrome-plated inside hyperlink plates and rollers, and just like the XG-1290 cassette can be found in a rainbow colourway must you need to get actually bling. Chains might be accessible in 114 and 126 hyperlink variations. 

Zipp SL80 Race handlebar

The Zipp SL80 Race handlebar additionally launches in the present day and has been designed to enrich the brand new Red AXS groupset. We do not consider a handlebar has been launched alongside a brand new groupset earlier than.

Red-specific options take the type of profiled high transitions main into the shifters to offer a extra steady hand placement for the rider. There can be hidden exterior cable routing and particular placement areas ought to homeowners need to add Sram blip shifters. 

The bars characteristic an aero high part which has grippy warmth shrink fitted to it. Numbers-wise, there may be 80mm of attain and 125mm of drop. 5 levels of flare and eight levels of drop-out sweep additionally characteristic and are stated to permit extra consolation and management within the drops based on Sram.  

The bars have a lifetime guarantee and are specified as not being for gravel use. 

Hammerhead Karoo

The new Hammerhead Karoo pc will launch similtaneously the brand new Red AXS groupset. You can learn our information piece on the brand new pc right here. Hammerhead claims the brand new Karoo has acquired a full overhaul, there’s additionally a brand-new companion app to make use of. 

We’re together with a bit on the brand new pc within the Red breakdown as a result of all aftermarket groupsets will embrace a Hammerhead Karoo pc and equipment and a few top-end bikes will embrace a unit at level of sale.

Sram spotlight the unparalleled connectivity the Karoo can present with Sram AXS merchandise, the Red AXS shifter buttons can be utilized with ANT+ to manage the Karoo information screens for instance. 

As talked about in on the high of this text, there may be curiously no choice at time of launch to buy the groupset with out the Hammerhead pc. 

Goodyear VectorR Z30 NSW tyres

Sram has additionally launched two new tyres by Goodyear in collaboration with Zipp in the present day. The new tyres would be the Goodyear VectorR Z30 NSW tyres and Z30 and Z35 SW tyres. All three tyre variations share the identical pricing. 

The Z30 NSW tyre is optimised for the Zipp 353 NSW wheel and Sram says it’s designed to measure 30mm on a 25 TSS (hookess) rim. It has the next TPI (threads per inch) rely and a decrease weight (280g) than the AW mannequin. Sram says the tyre’s bead development and geometry guarantee protected retention on Zipp rims. 

The Z30 (30mm) and Z35 (35mm) tyres are designed across the Zipp 303 wheel household. Sram says they’ve been developed with quantity and sturdiness in thoughts. These tyres are designed to measure 30 and 35mm respectively on a 25mm TSS rim. They have a barely decrease thread rely of 120 TPI and are barely heavier than the NSW model. 

Both NSW and SW tyres share the Goodyear R: Shield breaker belt, Dynamic: UHP compound and have a ‘tubeless full’ twin angle bead. 

Sram Red AXS weights and pricing