SRAM revolutionised groupsets four years ago with its wireless eTap system. There's also the option to have a wired connection between the shifters and the derailleurs. Heres all of our tech stories from the SRAM AXS launch event: Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com. Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 2403g / RRP 3,701. It is compatible with 1x and 2x eTap AXS drivetrains. I dont think its a limitation of wireless. Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. SRAM Gravel SRAM XPLR Force coming in April. AXS app allows users to customize shift options. Another smart move SRAM made was ensuring launch day delivery of parts, with a number of brands ready to go with new AXS-equipped models for road, gravel, monstercross and triathlon. A whole new concept? DOT fluid is more resistant to boiling than mineral oil and SRAM says the DOT 5.1 fluid it recommends has a boiling point of 270C when dry. I dont know why this is relevant besides determining where brands want to put their marketing budget. The Durable Unifying bottom bracket (DUB) is SRAMs answer to creaky press-fit bottom brackets. The problem with this, however, is that the bigger range of gears in an 11-speed cassette mean bigger jumps for the chain, which puts the system under stress, with less predictable chain jumps. The pistons also retract 10% more than the previous generation callipers to help reduce the likelihood of brake rub. Based on SRAM's claimed weights for 2x disc brake groups without a power meter, the Rival AXS is 653 grams heavier than Red AXS, and 223 grams heavier than Force AXS. The Rival AXS rear derailleur uses a spring clutch rather than the Orbit Fluid Damper found on the Force and Red AXS rear derailleurs. How is that possible on a decade old groupset? Gear steps: 12. Its not just the wider range where AXS seems to have an advantage on the competition, but in smoother progression between gears, with more single tooth jumps across all three cassette blocks (Fig 2). Shimano Dura-Ace cassettes now offer an 11-30t and an 11-34t tooth option, with the former offering seven single tooth increments from 11 to 17 tooth sprockets, matching SRAM. It also has considerable weight savings compared to the NX groupset (about 300 g) and carbon and alloy crank options. Ummmm no, they just downsized things. There are two variants of the SRAM Red eTap; rim brakes (dual pivot and direct mount) and hydraulic disc brakes (commonly referred to as HRD, or Hydraulic Road Disc). The material its used is both harder and stronger, and finished in what its calling Hard Chrome. The Force eTap AXS group is slated for April 2019, and while we dont have tech details on yet, its a good bet it, too, will use the revised gearing. A remote mount for the battery would give even more clearance at the front derailleur. Whereas SRAM brakes use DOT fluid, Shimano's use mineral oil. Yeah I figured, but I have to fix my bathroom and rotten plumbing first so Im like 4 months out at least. Shop now RED ETAP AXS HRD SHIFT-BRAKE SYSTEM The simple fact that quality is considered on par with each other is an exaggeration in my opinion. they executed that new xtr real well. That makes them more agile but less capable. Why cant shimano be wireless yet? I guess the big question is this: would I change my existing eTap RED 22-speed for this new model? So Dura-Ace runs a 12-speed chain from the XTR groupset. Other aspects? I could never willingly pay money for shimanos mehcanical mtb shifting over SRAMs. SRAM expects Rival eTap AXS to be spec'd on complete bikes in the $3,500 to $4,000 range. Ive ridden Red etap and the delay in shifting was quite annoying considering this is supposed to be a top tier group its pretty lame that it shifted slower than 105. Im actually pretty open minded. Now theyre just bringing the model to road bikes. Youre welcome. Colour: rainbow. The levers havent really changed in shape, but the finish looks impressive with carbon levers finished with chrome graphics and a new softer and textured grip that feels good and offers a solid connection even in heavy rain wearing winter gloves. First of all, lets talk about that 12th sprocket. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This pushes up the top end ratio slightly to satisfy the ever-increasing speeds of pro racers, but also leads to a more efficient chainline when riding faster. The hoods and shifter paddles feature a new ribbed texture for more comfort, grip, and control. 33T: 33T=5mm / 30T=10mm / 28T=10mm / 26T=14mm (chain in largest sprocket) Rear derailleur max. Winning my award for Most Improved Front Derailleur category isdrum roll pleasethe front derailleur! Add contacts to an eTap battery block, pogo pins to an eTap battery cover, wire them together, and secure the battery under your bottle cage or somewhere. It's 12-speed out back, it uses the same electronic bits as Force eTap AXS and Red eTap AXS, it gains some weight, there's a pulley cage clutch, there are wide-range 1x and 2x gearing options . Shifting is actuated by switches on the brake levers, which send a signal to the derailleurs to do their thing. As the name suggests it isnt a new standard but something that works across the myriad press-fit standards and traditional designs (BB30, PF30, BBright, PF30a, 386, PF86.5, GXP and BSA). I love my shimano road group, and when I have sram on one mtb and shimano on the other. There is something to be said for just being the best out there and sometimes that requires breaking changes that screw up compatibility. In reading each review of VXS, I have waited and waited for any kind of comment on shift speed. The 48/35 and an 11-28 is the equivalent of a 52/36 with an 11-28 cassette. Such is the design of eTap AXS, the clutch isnt needed. So far the only cranks that fit are 24/22mm ones. shipping country: language: [email protected] om (+49) 351 811 975 90 . That means that there's a range of Red XPLR eTap AXS components, including a rear derailleur with 44 tooth maximum sprocket capacity that works with a 12-speed XPRL cassette with 10-44t range. Plus the cost of consumable parts like the chainrings? The cassette is a masterpiece of machining, with the construction using SRAMs one-piece X-Dome design to save plenty of weight. Firstly, it can operate sequentially, where you just shift up or down. The Flattop design allows for a narrower chain without compromising strength or durability. Out of Stock. Rival AXS shifters pair with any other component in the AXS line-up, including Eagle AXS rear derailleurs, for riders interested in a wide-range mullet set-up a 10-50T cassette with a single chainring. As traditional freehub bodies are too big to allow anything smaller than an 11, SRAM chose to use a variation on the aforementioned XD Driver it pioneered on its 1x mountain bikes (and which has already been seen on 1x groups on road, cyclocross and gravel bikes). Based in North Carolina, Tyler loves finding new travel adventures to share with his family and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part to make his bikes faster and lighter. Were a year on and availability is still sketchy, and theyve had to go back to the drawing board one hubs and cranks, after releasing them a year ago. For example, in the eTap AXS, the largest ring on what is effectively the double chainset has 50-teeth and the smallest sprocket is 10-teeth, which means the ratio is 5:1and the wheel will turn five times for every pedal revolution. SRAM RED eTap AXS Actual Weights Road 2x (48/35 combo) - 419g with powermeter Road 1x (48t X-Sync) - 395g with powermeter Left crank - 156g Front derailleur - 165g with battery Rear derailleur - 247g with battery 10-33 Cassette - 211g Shifters - 233g/234g with coin cell batteries installed Updated Blip Box - 24g You are a genius! Not that theres anything wrong with the Dura Ace stuff, but its ridiculously expensive and I dont feel the rear shifting is any better. These are there to please the pros, who were worried about chain articulation over the smaller sized sprockets in SRAM's standard X-Range configuration. It can absorb water from the atmosphere, but even with 4% water still boils at 155C. Front derailleur cable routing wireless. Published 1 March 23. Ever bigger cassettes have been in vogue for years now, not just among committed amateurs like me and you but the pro peloton too. Its a little reminiscent of a BMX/Track half link, but these are full length links, The new XG-1290 cassette starts from a 10-tooth sprocket and is compatible with XD-R freehubs, The RED eTap AXS shifters are essentially the same shape as the previous shifter but with a carbon and chrome makeover and a new more ergonomic hood cover, AXS means both 1x and 2x drivetrains, but 1x doesnt just mean cross and gravel, SRAM also has this new 1x aero chainset for TT and triathlon with a spider mounted Quarq power meter option, The cross 1x chainset also has a power meter option, If youre not a fan of disc brakes SRAM also offers the new eTap with a rim brake option, A fluid damper built into the rear mech takes care of chain retention meaning eTap is now an option for cyclocross and gravel riders, With SRAMs AXS app (for iOS and Android) you can run firmware updates to the system (and power meter), look at battery levels, and assign actions to the shifters, as well as add-on blip controls and activate the shift modes, SRAMs reworking of gear ratios compared to its Shimano equivalents, SRAMs range of gearing offers a wider spread than we would have imagined, The new rear mech uses the exiting eTap battery as does the front mech, SRAM has finally produced a dedicated rotor for the road, and with its sculpted carrier and stainless (round-edged) brake track it looks the business, The new cassette keeps a close ratio of single-tooth jumps for the first seven sprockets, Ive been riding the new eTap for a few months now on Orbeas new Orca, which is available with the new eTap and Mavic Cosmic carbon Pro UST wheels and FSA K-Force carbon finsihing kit for 7,649. Then again, might it just live up to the hype? The Orbea Orca, which Ive been running AXS on, is equipped with two blips mounted under the tape on the underside of the bars top, so you can shift gears when riding holding the tops while on a long, steady climb. Complete the kit with a matching helmet from Lazer. SRAM Red eTap AXS is the second incarnation of SRAM's wireless electronic groupset. The Orbit Damper is lightweight, low friction, and speed-sensitive. The difference between Shimano and Sram is that SRAM accepts compromise in order to innovate. SRAM for innovation, Shimano for execution. Beginners or triathletes pure gold right there! The wide crank requires a matching wide front derailleur. Personally, Id probably not use this option very much, but its fun to experiment with. FYI Heres a full list of everything you can buy as of February 2019, and theres plenty more coming. doesnt actually have a link connected to it with the list of bikes. Some of their mountain drivetrains are so sensitive to cable tension its annoying as hell. GRX Groupset total weight does not include cassette and chain. While it was some way behind its major competitors Shimano and Campagnolo, whod had electronic systems for years, it jumped ahead of both by becoming the first to dispense with cables and operate wirelessly. Once the bike is configured, wires dont necessarily matter, though wireless if obviously superior in concept. Ive always avoided putting parts on the bike which make me cringe to look at. This directly impacts the stiffness of the chainrings, which itself has a big bearing on how well the front mech will shift as well as other performance benefits for the racers. The Rival crankset uses polished aluminum arms that are stiff, tough, and come in a variety of lengths (160mm-175mm). Direct-mount chainrings are available in 38t through 46t in two-tooth increments.Read more about the difference between 2x and 1x drivetrains on gravel bikes. With the latest R9200 version of Dura-Ace released in 2021 there are more similarities between the two road bike groupsets than there were, but plenty of differences still. For the crank weight, where is the spindle and left crank arm? Which I have always noted was lacking with etap as did another commenter. ago. Short for 10-26 up to 10-33T / Medium for 10-28 up to 10-36T Weight without battery 36T Version Rear derailleur max. With its 12-speed groupsets, rather than develop new road-specific parts Shimano has used some components from its MTB range, one of which is the chain. 124K views 1 year ago Is Shimano Ultegra Di2 the best electronic groupset to buy in 2021, and how does it compare to its main rival, SRAM Force eTap AXS? As with all products in the AXS ecosystem, the AXS app allows riders to adjust shifting modes, personalize their controls, and gain insight into how they use their drivetrains. Shimano's is also the cheaper groupset albeit only marginally, saving you around 90 at full retail price. Rival cassettes feature a different construction. The action is smoother, quieter and arguably quicker than the first generation, and its adaptability, in that you can run it 2x, 1x, or combine it with any of the new AXS mountain bike gearing launching soon, is impressive, making this an electronic groupset you could run on the road, gravel, cross, mountain and downhill. Gears 2x12SP. The AXS technology allows you to make your shifters do what you want them to, and the brake levers have a customizable reach. Youll regularly find him commuting on an ebike and he longs for the day when everyone else follows suit.