SRAM DEBUTS UPDATED FORCE AXS COMPONENTS

Following in the footsteps of their revolutionary Red AXS drivetrain, it was back in 2019 that SRAM rolled out their second tier level of an electronic drivetrain with the introduction of the Force AXS components. In the time since, SRAM has studied every part of the component group to see what could be improved upon.

And today marks the unveiling of what those four years of learning led to.

Given the broad and varied range of Force friendly user categories, SRAM designers and engineers have touched every facet of their derailleurs, shifters, and brakes to bring new levels of performance for every type of cyclist. Devout roadies will rejoice with the new 2x drivetrain while gravel riders will relish the improvements made to SRAM’s class leading 1x drivetrain. In addition to Power options available across the board, we were also impressed with the new battery charger that has four docking stations to keep both live and back-up batteries at the ready (with a claimed 60 minute full-charge duration). And in limited numbers, the arrival of their blingy “rainbow/oil slick” colored cassette and chain will hopefully bring some needed much needed color to the sea of “murdered out” black bikes in the group ride.

While the amount of talking points are voluminous, since we have yet to receive our parts, the best we can offer here is a synopsis of some of the more noteworthy product highlights.

2023 SRAM FORCE AXS – THE KEY QUESTIONS

What is the MSRP for a full new Force AXS groupset?
The MSRP for a Force AXS disc-brake groupset is:
2x with power meter: $2640
2x WIDE gearing with power meter: $2201
1x with power meter: $2142
2x no power meter: $2115
1x no power meter: $1832
A groupset includes: Shift-brake system, rotors, crankset, chain, cassette, derailleur (front and rear for 2x, rear
only for 1x), batteries, and charger. Bottom bracket pricing separately.

What’s the difference between new Force AXS, RED eTap AXS, and Rival eTap AXS?

The hood shape for the new Force AXS has changed to a narrower grip. The shift paddle shape is refined to maintain easy access to shift locations while removing the risk of braking into your fingers or into the handlebar tape. Both new Force AXS and existing Rival eTap AXS shift-brake controls are fully compatible with Wireless Blips for a remote shift option, while RED also offers two plug-in ports per shifter for MultiClic or Blip wired remote shift buttons.

The new Force AXS hood shape is similar to Rival eTap AXS, but while Rival eTap AXS has an alloy brake lever, the new Force AXS has a carbon brake lever. Both SRAM RED and Force crank arms are carbon; RED has hollow carbon arms and direct mount GENERAL chainrings. Force has carbon arms with direct mount chainrings. Rival has aluminum arms and spider with bolt on chainrings for 2x, and offer direct mount chainrings for 1x.

With all 12-speed cranksets, we do offer a power meter option. The new Force AXS 1x cranksets offer a spindle-based power meter similar to Rival, but with carbon crank arms. The new Force AXS 2x power meters are integrated into the chainring, similar to RED eTap AXS integrated power meters, but with a black finish. The SRAM RED and new Force AXS rear derailleurs offer our Orbit fluid damper system, and Rival eTap AXS rear derailleurs are equipped with a spring clutch for chain retention

What gearing options are available for new Force XS?

The new Force AXS is offered in two different rear derailleurs that offer a wide array of gearing options. The Force AXS 36T Max derailleur is compatible both in 2x and 1x with cassettes from 10-28T to 10-36T. The Force XPLR AXS rear derailleur is designed specifically for 1x and will work with 10-36T and 10-44T cassettes only.

Force AXS cranksets come with integrated double chainrings in 50/37, 48/35, and 46/33 ring combinations. There is also a 2x Wide spindle version 43/30 ring set, with non-integrated chainrings on a 94mm BCD spider. This does require the use of the Wide version front derailleur. For 1x, we offer direct mount style chainrings in 36T, 38T, 40T, 42T, 44T, and 46T and 1x Aero direct mount in 48T and 50T.

For extreme terrain, the new Force AXS controls and 1x cranksets can be paired with an Eagle AXS rear derailleur, Eagle 10-50T or 10-52T cassette, and Eagle chain for a super wide 1x gearing. We
call this a “Mullet” configuration.

BRAKES (YES, AS IN NO RIM BRAKES!)

Are new Force AXS shift levers compatible with Eagle AXS rear derailleurs?

Yes. AXS allows you to mix and match road and MTB AXS drivetrain components.

What type of brake pads are required for the new Force AXS HRD disc brakes?

The new Force AXS calipers use the same pad type as the previous Force eTap AXS 2-piece calipers. You can find replacement pads in organic and metal sintered compounds.

CRANKSET/DRIVETRAIN

Is there a chainring integrated power meter for 1x?

While this single sided power meter is offered with full 1x cranksets, it is also fully compatible with 2x new Force cranksets as a left hand arm and spindle upgrade kit.

What chainring size options do you offer for new Force AXS cranksets?

The new Force cranksets come with integrated double chainrings in 50/37, 48/35, and 46/33 ring combinations.

There is also a 2x Wide spindle version 43/30 with non-integrated chainrings on a 94mm BCD spider. For 1x, we offer direct mount style chainrings in 36T, 38T, 40T, 42T, 44T, and 46T and 1x Aero direct mount in 48T and 50T.

Is there a chainring integrated power meter for 1x?

SRAM have developed a non-driveside DUB PWR spindle based-power meter that will be offered as the new Force 1x power meter option. This will allow for any new Force crankset to simply swap the left hand/non-drive side arm and attached DUB spindle to upgrade to the integrated power version. While this single sided power meter is offered with full 1x cranksets, it is also fully compatible with 2x new Force cranksets as a left hand arm and spindle upgrade kit.

Are new Force AXS shift levers compatible with Eagle AXS rear derailleurs?

Yes. AXS allows you to mix and match road and MTB AXS drivetrain components.

What cassette sizes are compatible with the new Force AXS rear derailleur?

The Force AXS 36T Max rear derailleur is made to work with 10-28T, 10-30T, 10-33T and 10-36T cassettes. The Force XPLR AXS rear derailleur is 1x specific and works with 10-36T and 10-44T cassettes only.

Can I use the new Force AXS rear derailleur without the front derailleur to make a 1x drivetrain?

The Force AXS 36T Max rear derailleur can be used with a front derailleur for a 2x system and also without the use of a front derailleur for a 1x system. The Force XPLR AXS rear derailleur is 1x specific only, paired with 1x X-Sync road and X-Sync 2 MTB chainrings.

What is the max cog size that is compatible with new Force AXS rear derailleurs?

The Force AXS 36T Max rear derailleur will work with cassettes from 10- 28T to 10-36T. The Force XPLR AXS
rear derailleur will work with 10- 36T and 10-44T cassettes only.

Do the new Force AXS rear derailleurs still offer Orbit fluid damper?

Yes, the cage damper mechanism is the same Orbit fluid damper mechanism that was available in the previous version Force AXS Max 36T and XPLR rear derailleurs. This allows the derailleur to be easily pulled back by hand to clear the cassette when the wheel is removed making rear wheel changes easy while also offering premium chain retention on bumpy roads.

Why do Force AXS rear derailleurs use the Orbit fluid damper instead of the Roller Bearing Clutch used on SRAM’s mountain bike rear derailleurs?

Road chain management requirements are different than MTB, so they do not need to use the same mechanism. Our Orbit fluid damper is speed sensitive so that cage movement resulting from gear changes do not activate the clutch mechanism, only high-speed cage rotations created by bumps pulling down on the chain will. That way the
clutch is only used when it is required.

What’s the difference between a Wide AXS front derailleur and a standard AXS front derailleur?

The Force AXS Wide front derailleur is spaced 2.5mm more outboard than a standard AXS front derailleur. This requires the use of a Force AXS crankset with a Wide spindle for correct chainline. The Wide version front derailleur has WIDE imprinted near the mounting bolt.

Can you use the same eTap derailleur batteries for the new Force AXS
derailleurs?

Are the batteries changing with the new system? The eTap derailleur batteries have not changed and will continue to be compatible with the new Force AXS system.

CONFIGURABLE CONTROLS

Can I digitally assign different functions to the buttons (e.g. move the derailleur outboard with a left shifter click)?

Yes, the AXS app allows you to customize your shift paddle functions as well as the functions of optional remote Wireless Blip shift buttons.

Can I turn enhanced shifting on or off on new Force AXS without connecting to the AXS app?

You can toggle between either full manual shifting and the preselected enhanced shift mode (Sequential or Compensating) using the AXS buttons on the back of the shift paddles. This can be done while riding.

Pressing the right paddle AXS button = on

Pressing the left paddle AXS button = off.

Is there a shifting mode where I can set up the rear derailleur to make automatic shifts to offset changing gears when shifting the front derailleur?

Yes. You can use the AXS app to select Compensating shifting mode.

Photos: @brazodehierro

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