Tech specs: SRAM Red XPLR AXS
Price: $4,031 w/Power Meter choice; $3,581 w/o Power Meter
Speed: 1 x 13 velocity
Weight: 2706 grams
Chainring sizes: 38,40,42,44,46T
Cassette sizes: 10/46T – 13 velocity
SRAM Red XPLR AXS launched immediately, turning into SRAM’s new top-tier gravel-specific groupset. It’s been a busy yr for the American model, it launched the Red AXS groupset in March, similtaneously the third-gen Hammerhead Karoo.
A number of months on, the model has now introduced the gravel-specific model of the RED AXS groupset. If you aren’t acquainted, ‘XPLR’ arrived again in 2021 and consisted of a group of parts from SRAM and SRAM-owned manufacturers RockShox and Zipp, that had a gravel and off-road focus. For readability now, Red AXS is the roadgoing groupset, whereas the brand new Red XPLR AXS is the brand new 1x gravel-specific groupset which has launched immediately.
Ok, so what are the important thing take-home variations? First up, Red XPLR AXS is 1 x 13 velocity. That’s proper, we’ve bought 13 sprockets on the rear now, however because of some intelligent design the groupset makes use of the present Red 12-speed chain, there’s extra on this beneath. The new parts that make up the XPLR groupset are the 13-speed cassette, rear derailleur and new chainset. The shifters, calipers, chain and rotors are shared with Red AXS.
You can get caught into all the brand new groupset tech particulars, pricing and weights in our information story protecting the brand new SRAM Red XPLR AXS groupset, or learn on for our assessment.
I attended the UK-based launch of the groupset just lately and have been testing it out since. SRAM – Zipp particularly – has additionally launched a brand new gravel-specific wheelset on the similar time, which has a monster 32mm inner width. You can get the inside track on these in my assessment of the wheelset.
The complete groupset goes to cost up at $4,031 with a dual-sided energy meter and weighs in at a claimed 2,488 grams, a saving of 102 grams over the present Red XPLR AXS.
Design and specification
Red XPLR AXS shares componentry with Red AXS so the groupsets naturally look very comparable and ‘match’ when you like.
The gear shifters, brake calipers, rotors and chain are precisely the identical as these that may be discovered on the road-specific groupset. Details of which you could find in my SRAM Red AXS street groupset assessment, written a number of months in the past. The new options just like the bonus shift buttons, and improved brakes all carry over right here.
The brand-new XPLR gravel-specific bits are the chainset, rear derailleur and cassette which we are going to get to. There’s carbon fibre and aluminium on present once more, and I’ll name it right here: I believe extra silver componentry can be a pattern within the street and gravel worlds: there’s loads to be discovered right here, in addition to on the hubs of recent parts just like the Roval CLX Team II wheels. Everything, no less than for me, appears to be like trendy and techy and the silver brake calipers have acquired a number of admiring feedback from my driving mates.
Straight off the bat, there are some body necessities wanted when you assume you is likely to be within the new groupset. If you are shopping for an entire bike, this may not be a difficulty for you, however Red XPLR AXS requires a minimal chainstay size of 415mm, frames want a 47.5mm chainline and should additionally characteristic the UDH hanger interface. There is a wholesome listing of UDH-spec frames available on the market already, however extra will undoubtedtly observe in time.
So, to the brand new bits, which borrow tech from SRAM’s Eagle MTB tools. First up is the brand new Red XPLR derailleur which could be very fascinating. The new unit is much bigger than the Red AXS street mech and makes use of a full-mount UDH mount to connect to the body.
The XPLR derailleur would not have restrict screws or a b-tension adjustment (that is the hole between the most important sprocket and the highest pulley wheel). This means no mechanical changes of any sort are required, past attaching the derailleur to your body. The derailleur’s vary of motion is mounted now partly because of the complete mount system, and so is not counting on setting restrict screws or conventional hanger alignment to make sure correct shifting setup.
Before you open a guaranty case or decide the telephone as much as name the bike store, the XPLR derailleur truly appears to be like bent when considered from behind. SRAM says that is because of the derailleur cage being tuned to align the pulley wheels to the chainring in each sprocket, lowering vibration and noise. It’s meant to seem like this, and would not create any additional noise (I’ve included an image beneath).
The battery additionally masses horizontally as an alternative of vertically and is actually tucked out of the best way. There are 14 and 16-tooth derailleur pulley wheels, and the decrease makes use of SRAM’s ‘magic pulley wheel’ to maintain rotating and clear blockages or particles in the event that they enter the pulley from the facet.
The clutch’s spring pressure has been up to date and now contains a stronger spring motion than the present XPLR derailleurs to additional assist chain retention. The Red XPLR derailleur has moved nearer to SRAM MTB parts on this division and the derailleur arm is fairly agency now. It’s additionally replaceable and straightforward to take away, I’ve seen this carried out and it takes seconds.
SRAM can even supply replaceable spare elements for the cage meeting, pulley wheels, higher and decrease outer parallelogram, full mount, and battery latch. This is an costly derailleur at $700 and it is good to know it may be disassembled and spare elements can be found to maintain you going and hold it wanting good when you injury or scratch yours up.
The groupset solely has one cassette choice, that is the XPLR XG-1391 13-speed cassette which is one piece and consists of sprocket sizes of 10/11/12/13/15/17/19/21/24/28/32/38/46. Note the great tight spacings on the sharp finish which ought to assist when racing or driving rapidly however the low gears are there while you want them.
Why the transfer to 13 sprockets? I requested SRAM about this they usually advised me the 13-speed cassette allowed them to resolve some points round 12-speed cassette sprocket sizing and potential gaps or jumps in sizes. They additionally acknowledged that there was a component of ‘as a result of yet another’.
I’d even be inclined to assume it additionally places them on stage pegging with the already-13-speed – and in style – Campagnolo Ekar gravel groupset with regards to spec sheet debates and groupset high trumps, with out having to roll out a brand new 13-speed chain and related bits.
The 13-speed cassette works completely with the 12-speed Red AXS chain. Surely pre-empting web discussion board “I’ve tried it and it really works” threads pre-launch.
Joking apart, SRAM has been in a position to execute this thanks to 2 areas. One is the usage of the UDH full mount customary, which frees up a little bit house on the outboard facet, Inboard some intelligent machining and design on the cassette’s largest sprockets have saved some house and there’s loads of clearance between the sprockets and spokes. This manner the spacing stays the identical for the 12-speed flat-top chain to play properly.
Last up within the new parts division is the XPLR chainset. It shares the identical lightened carbon fibre crankarms as Red AXS and there are energy meter and customary configurations accessible.
The choice listing for potential choices and specs could be very lengthy because of the sheer variety of them. The non-power meter chainset makes use of direct mount rings, however notably, the ability meter spider makes use of threaded, replaceable ‘Thread Mount’ chainrings as an alternative of the built-in ones discovered on Red AXS.
Performance
As mentioned, Red XPLR AXS shares some parts with the road-going Red AXS. Concerning the gear shifters and braking my opinion hasn’t modified within the slightest, on the street or off. The gear shifter form is actually comfy off-road, and a spotlight once more for me is the actually glorious braking really feel and efficiency. The gentle braking motion is an actual ally off-road and offers glorious management in additional technical sections, I’m all for it.
Shifting has additionally been superb. I’ve skilled zero chain drops, unhealthy shifts, slips or problems with any sort. I’ve needed to assume a great deal about what my take residence of the XPLR groupset is and in the end I believe the tools simply elevates off-road efficiency to some extent the place you do not actually have to fret about something.
I have never needed to assume an excessive amount of in any respect, simply journey. The gears I’ve wanted have been there after I wanted them, and shifting beneath load or in a rush is all the time reliable. Interestingly the digital shifting sound of the XPLR derailleur is totally different and barely louder than Red AXS. I requested SRAM about this and it is because of the proprietary gearbox and internals, highlighting that it is not a cut-and-paste Red AXS in a unique physique.
I can also’t consider a single time the chain was rattling off the chainstays and making a great deal of noise, keep in mind these days? I simply have not heard a peep out of it, and I’ve ridden exhausting down loads of rocky descents. It’s an enormous tick for the up to date clutch so far as I’m involved.
I’ve examined the groupset on the street, off it, in sand, and dirt, on quick hardpacked gravel and preventing my manner by means of undergrowth on a few of my overgrown native trails. It has not missed a beat and has simply labored, the braking is superb and the shifting is definitely quick and easy sufficient for me, as I say: zero chain drops or problems with any sort.
I’ve carried out my finest to upset it and journey the bike exhausting to check it. The solely poor shifts I’ve actually skilled have been beneath excessive load up a steep gravel climb at a strolling tempo or slower, this was me intentionally attempting to upset issues although.
Gravel driving, as we all know, is wide-ranging. I’ve undoubtedly ridden mountain bike terrain throughout my check interval and the groupset was close to sufficient faultless, solely considering twice on fast, snatched shifts getting into a steep, technical climb or dropping down a number of sprockets to maintain momentum because the path modifications. For much less excessive terrain or usually, quick, wide-open gravel driving or racing, this groupset will barely blink.
I do not assume there are too many factors to say concerning dwelling with the groupset however listed here are a few of my ideas, comparable to they’re.
After hours of sandy driving on the groupset launch within the Surrey hills, I may hear loads of graunching in and across the derailleur mount and interface when washing the bike at residence. I’d be holding this space very clear and greased if it was my very own bike, as mud, grit and sand sitting in amongst carbon dropout and the derailleur bolt and interface most likely will not be nice long run. A plastic sleeve sits in between the derailleur bolt and carbon dropout, besides, holding this space clear will solely be a great factor.
Red AXS energy meter chainsets have drawn criticism for the non-replaceable built-in energy meter and chainrings. The replaceable threaded chainrings right here ought to please folks and assist decrease potential working prices. A particular software is required to exchange the chainrings, however it’s not costly and the job takes minutes, I noticed it carried out first-hand on the launch. Aero 1x chainrings are additionally appropriate with the chainset, ought to riders need to use one for racing.
The drivetrain parts on this groupset, particularly the cassette, will not be low cost. This goes for any drivetrain if you wish to take care of it however holding issues clear and appropriately lubricated will solely stand you in good stead, defending your funding and making the driving expertise higher. You do not need to be changing too many $600 cassettes.
SRAM additionally talked about the recognition of gravel racing now and riders travelling throughout to occasions, and with that in thoughts, eradicating the rear derailleur could be very easy. It’s a barely totally different course of to an ordinary hanger and derailleur however there’s one fewer half and the setup is a lot burlier than a replaceable hanger. I believe it would give riders extra confidence when travelling.
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Value
After including in the remainder of the required bits from the Red AXS groupset, the XPLR groupset comes out at $4,031 with the dual-sided energy meter choice chosen, or $3,581 for the non-power meter chainset. I’ve additionally included an ordinary DUB backside bracket which has an RRP of $42 in these figures.
It’s clear then that Red XPLR AXS carries a top-tier price ticket. This groupset, like Red AXS, is geared toward being the most effective gravel groupset SRAM has ever produced and that efficiency stage comes at a value.
If you may afford an entire bike construct or just like the look of the tools and might afford it with out having to assume, then you’re solely going to be impressed, it ought to be clear by now that the efficiency is superb.
There are, nevertheless, loads of solidly performing gravel groupsets and tools available on the market for a lot much less cash. If I have been debating issues with associates, I’d say the shifters and braking efficiency are the actually fascinating bits of this groupset from an improve perspective, the braking actually is that good. The shifters and brake callipers are backwards appropriate, so this is able to be an ideal improve when you did not need to go the entire hog.
I’m positive loads of riders will not really feel a determined have to rush out and improve to a thirteenth sprocket, and that is superb. There are loads of different lower-priced choices available on the market in SRAM’s product traces and Shimano and Campagnolo’s.
Verdict
SRAM highlights simply how a lot has modified within the final decade with regards to gravel-specific tools, and simply how massive part of the promote it makes up now. At the sharp finish, top-level gravel driving could be very particular, aggressive and quick. The days of mish-mashed street parts and chainstay slap are lengthy gone.
The XPLR derailleur is burly and robust, it will stand as much as loads. Shifting and braking have been glorious throughout each terrain.
SRAM claims it designed Red XPLR AXS to be ‘Resiliant, exact, gentle and quick. An easy expertise so your vitality goes into the journey’. And I agree with this abstract. In my testing, the groupset has confirmed to be all of these issues, and in use I simply have not needed to assume an excessive amount of, simply benefit from the journey.
Value | Top tier efficiency at a high value. You is not going to be dissapointed, however there are many different succesful gravel groupsets on the market | 8/10 |
Weight | Lighter than the earlier gen and not likely a difficulty. I do not assume too many riders are fretting over gravel construct weights | 8/10 |
Gearing choices | One cassette choice, and 38-46T chainring dimension choices ought to be greater than sufficient for many and for the driving the groupset is designed for | 8/10 |
Ergonomics | The new gen Red AXS/XPLR shifters are very comfy and I’ve discovered the smaller dimension to be very cozy | 9/10 |
Braking | Fantastic, I really like the texture and efficiency | 9/10 |
Shift high quality | Shifting has been glorious. Fast and easy and with no points throughout my complete check interval | 8/10 |
Overall | Row 6 – Cell 1 | 50/60 |