Sram Force eTap AXS everything is changing
IF YOU CAN’T BEAT A COMPETITOR, JUST JUMP.
Maybe that’s what the US groupset manufacturer SRAM was hoping for. They have officially released their new flagship product: SRAM Red eTap AXS 12-Speed.
What’s new? ALL.
Contents
No longer compatible with the old SRAM Red eTap. Totally different from products from Shimano or Campagnolo.
The rupset is still wireless, but the only thing the old eTap has in common is the battery. The sprocket is new, with a new gear arrangement. New front chainset/crankset, with new gear count logic. Even the derailleur was built with a new mind in mind, as was the bottom bracket.
Since there are so many changes, it might be better to go over the parts one by one. So NOT CONFUSED!
SRAM Force eTap AXS 2X D1 Electronic Road Groupset
DIFFERENT WAYS TO CALCULATE GEAR
When Campagnolo released the 12-Speed Super Record, not much had really changed. The sprocket is 12 gears, but still uses the same freehub. The chainring is also the same, only the shape of the teeth has changed slightly, supported by a thinner chain.
SRAM really makes us have to “re-learn” how to count and use gears. Yes, this SRAM Red eTap AXS is 12-Speed, has 12 gears on the sprocket. However, the gear arrangement is a bit different, and uses three very different chainset options!
In the “old mindset,” there are three crankset options: 53-39 (standard), 52-36 (mid-compact), and 50-34 (compact). Then combined with sprocket 11-25, 11-28, 11-30, 11-32, or now 11-34.
SRAM Force eTap AXS has very similar features to the SRAM RED eTap AXS. The difference is in the use of materials. Force is not as exotic as RED.
The SRAM Red eTap AXS will force you to use three new crankset options. They call it the “X-Range.” That is: 50-37, 48-35, and 46-33.
Why the three choices? Because SRAM provides three choices of sprockets: 10-26, 10-28, and 10-33. Yes, the smallest gear is now 10, and that’s probably installed because SRAM now demands that we use a new freehub: XDR (no longer the same as Shimano).
Still confused about the new gear count? No need to be dizzy. With this new combination, SRAM provides a higher top speed plus a lighter uphill gear.
The combination of 50-37 with 10-26 for example, offers a higher top speed and more climbability than the combination of 53-39 with 11-28.
Likewise with the combination of 48-35 and 10-28, which has a wider range than the combination of 52-36 with 11-28.
For uphill, the combination of 46-33 and 10-33 makes it easier to climb (and sprint) than the combination of 50-34 and 11-32!
FLEXIBLE FOR MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS
The AXS system implemented by SRAM gives this group the flexibility to meet various needs. Be it regular road, gravel, or even MTB.
This SRAM Red eTap AXS can be used for 2x settings (normally two chainrings in front), can also be used for 1x (one chainring in front). Because the Eagle MTB group also has a wireless version, this road group can be combined with the Eagle component. For example Eagle’s rear derailleur, then install a cooking wok size sprocket!
Source: Sram.com
SRAM provides a special app to help owners tune, modify, update, and so on in this AXS groupset.
For that flexibility, the SRAM Red eTap AXS rear derailleur is designed with a fluid dampener. Its function is a kind of clutch. So, when used for a 1x setting, the chain is not easy to “bounce” when passing through the gravel road (gravel).
SRAM named this technology “Orbit.”
HIDDEN FEATURES
Seriously, if you want to use SRAM Red eTap AXS, things have to change. Even the old chains can’t be used. The group’s new chain is made thinner to accommodate 12-speed requirements. But its strength is made more by making the top flat (flat top).
Seriously, if you want to use SRAM Red eTap AXS, things have to change. Even the old chains can’t be used. The group’s new chain is made thinner to accommodate 12-speed requirements. But its strength is made more by making the top flat (flat top).
If you want to install a power meter, you also don’t need to completely replace the crankset. Quarq (a subsidiary of SRAM) provides a power meter that can be directly attached to the center of the crank.
This groupset software is also claimed to solve one of the complaints of the old Red eTap: There is a delay when shifting gears. So, now shifting gears can be faster.
The price is still very expensive. But SRAM has already given a leak: next April, there will be an eTap AXS version of SRAM Force, with a more affordable price.
Oh yes, for those who don’t want to use disc brakes, this new groupset is also available in a rim brake version.
Through this groupset, SRAM also introduces a new bottom bracket that is flexible for all standards. Starting from BB30, PF30, BBright, PF30a, 386, PF86.5, GXP, and BSA.
Actually, there are many other details that make the SRAM Red eTap AXS 12-Speed more “wow.” But maybe too technical and can make you dizzy.
Especially if you have to think that in the future, we will no longer be able to exchange components between Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo!
CAN'T EXCHANGE PARTS
The price is still very expensive. But SRAM has already given a leak: next April, there will be an eTap AXS version of SRAM Force, with a more affordable price.
Oh yes, for those who don’t want to use disc brakes, this new groupset is also available in a rim brake version.
Through this groupset, SRAM also introduces a new bottom bracket that is flexible for all standards. Starting from BB30, PF30, BBright, PF30a, 386, PF86.5, GXP, and BSA.
Actually, there are many other details that make the SRAM Red eTap AXS 12-Speed more “wow.” But maybe too technical and can make you dizzy.
Especially if you have to think that in the future, we will no longer be able to exchange components between Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo!1
