Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

TECH NEWS

SRAM Force eTap AXS welcomes wireless tech to lower price point + video

SRAM Force eTap Is finally here!

Finally it has happened, today SRAM has launched a Force eTap groupset, Force eTap AXS to be specific. A few months after the US company unveiled its radical new 12-speed Red eTap AXS groupset, the new Force groupset brings all the same new tech to a more affordable price.

The 1x hydraulic road disc brake configuration will set you back £1,924, the 2x road disc brake version is £2,274 while 2x rim brake groupset is £2,164. The cheapest incarnation is 1x rim brake aero coming in at £1,814. It’s still expensive mind, but a whole bunch cheaper than Red, which starts at £2,559 and rises to £3,794.

sram-force-etap-axs23

- SRAM RED eTap AXS – 12-speed wireless groupset with radical new approach to gearing launched + In depth First Look Video Q&A with SRAM engineers

While the price is lower, the weight is a bit higher. The lightest groupset, Rim 1x Aero, comes in at a claimed 1,983g whilst a 2x disc groupset is 2,812g. That compares to 1,868g and 2,518g for respective Red groupsets.

Here are all the weights in full:

sram force 1

Despite the lower prices, you get all the same fundamental technology as first debuted with Red eTap AXS. That means a new approach to gearing called X-Range, comprising three cassettes - 10-26, 10-28 and 10-33 - starting with a 10-tooth sprocket using an XDR driver body.

srforceaxsmiami190306cm151l.jpg

However, there are just two chainset options, 48/35 and 46/33, there’s no 50/37 you get with Red. Single ring options range from 36 to 46t. Here’s how these new ratios compare to conventional groupsets:

sram force 2

And this graph shows how SRAM’s new X-Range gearing offers a wider range of gears compared to conventional groupsets, with between 260 and 330% range. 

sram force 3

Just like Red, as well as wider range you also get more one-tooth jumps, with up to seven one-tooth steps with the 10-26 and 10-33t cassettes.

srforceaxsmiami190306cm136m.jpg

SRAM has utilised the same Orbit fluid damper in the rear mech and the same Flattop chain, with the same batteries as the previous generation eTap groupset. Like Red, the same rear mech is used across both 1x and 2x groupsets.

There’s also the same AXS technology which lets you control, monitor and personalise the components from a new smartphone app. From the app you check the battery level and personalise the controls amongst other things. It also lets you mix-and-match road and mountain bike components with seamless integration.

srforceaxsmiami190306cm137m.jpg

The updated hoods have the same essential shape as Red with textured paddles and hood rubber material for extra control and comfort. There are separate contact point and reach adjustment for tuning the levers to your preference.

srforceaxsmiami190306cm116l.jpg

Cranks use the new DUB bottom bracket standard introduced by SRAM last year and a power meter upgrade is available. There’s the same 13-tooth gap between the big and small ring on a 2x setup. The optional Quarq DZero power meter offers a claimed +/-1.5% accuracy and measures left and right leg balance provides a claimed 200 hours of runtime from a CR3032 battery and uses Bluetooth and ANT+ wireless protocols.

srforceaxsmiami190306cm111l.jpg

The disc brakes are unchanged but there are new CenterLine XR disc rotors which are optimised for road use and claimed to offer quieter braking performance. They also have rounded edges.

You can still opt for rim brakes. The dual pivot calipers provide clearance for up to 28mm tyres and include SwissStop brake pads.

srforceaxsmiami190306cm159l.jpg

 

About time?

A Force level eTap groupset has been a long time coming. Pretty much since SRAM first launched Red eTap back in 2015 have people been asking about a Force version. SRAM has a good track record of quickly following the introduction of new top-end releases with lower level versions, just look at how quickly it has brought down the price of entry to its Eagle mountain bike 1x groupset. 

But years rolled by and for a while it started to look like it might never happen, but the announcement came at the launch of the second-generation Red eTap groupset. This is big news because eTap has been a commercial and critical success but the high price is clearly a barrier to many potentail customers. The lower price of Force opens it up to a much wider audience and we expect to see many bike brands speccing it on bikes very soon.

We can't wait to get our hands on it. We haven't ridden the new groupset yet, but we have ridden the new Red eTap AXS groupset which you can read here.

SRAM Force eTap AXS is available now. More info at www.sram.com

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

Add new comment

17 comments

Avatar
matthewn5 | 4 years ago
0 likes

Leaving the wires out doesn't save any weight, does it? 2453g for a basic 2x11 groupset? Porky!

Avatar
fukawitribe replied to matthewn5 | 4 years ago
1 like

matthewn5 wrote:

Leaving the wires out doesn't save any weight, does it? 2453g for a basic 2x11 groupset? Porky!

Swings and roundabouts - batteries, wires and whatnot - looks like SRAM Red eTap was ~150g heavier than straight Red, although i'm not sure that weight savings are really what people look for in an electronic groupset. Force AXS mechanical seems to be a bit lighter than Shimano R6870 Di2 and a 40-50 grammes heavier than R8050. Meh.

Avatar
hopster | 4 years ago
0 likes

Would love a 1x 10-46 cassette option with a Eagle X01 rear derailleaur for my gravel bike. 42 is fine for most occasions but when my bike is loaded up with bags it would be useful to have one lower 'bailout' gear.  I'd rather not get a 10-50 cassette due to the jumps and that 50t is unnessary in my opinion. Anyone know if SRAM are planning any further updates with 12 speed cassesstes or perhaps a 'long' cage Force AXS rear derailleur?

 

Should also add I've been running Rival 1x for over 3 years and its been faultless in that time. I won't be purchasing a front derailleur ever again although I was skeptical at the beginning I'm totally sold on a single chainring for gravel biking and bikepacking.

Avatar
longassballs | 4 years ago
0 likes

I applaud the trickle down of tech but I was mainly looking forward to Force AXS for possible discounts on Force CX1 but given that they still cover quite separate areas I don't think that's going to happen.

I have read that their are further 'off-road' announcements from Sram though

Avatar
Jimthebikeguy.com | 4 years ago
0 likes

As with most groupsets, it will only make economic sense bought as part of a bike off the shelf as part of an OEM package. I expect to see it on stuff starting at about 2500 quid upwards. You would need to be a bit crazy to upgrade an existing bike by buying this lot in a box (although i do see enough customers who do exactly that...).

Avatar
Jimthebikeguy.com | 4 years ago
1 like

As with most groupsets, it will only make economic sense bought as part of a bike off the shelf as part of an OEM package. I expect to see it on stuff starting at about 2500 quid upwards. You would need to be a bit crazy to upgrade an existing bike by buying this lot in a box (although i do see enough customers who do exactly that...).

Avatar
ktache | 4 years ago
0 likes

But "street" prices are always wildly overestimated by the police, prosecution and media...

Avatar
PRSboy | 4 years ago
1 like

We need to see 'street' prices which are likely to be lower.  Justifies a bit more £ than Shimano IMO as it's wireless and more versatile with the 1x options.

Nonetheless, every time I use my old 11s Ultegra I can't personally see the need to change to electric but I'm a luddite at heart.

Avatar
Brummiebiker | 4 years ago
0 likes

Full 2x group set needs to be about £1400-1500 to be competitive with Shimano. Disappointed for now. 

Avatar
Brummiebiker | 4 years ago
0 likes

Full 2x group set needs to be about £1400-1500 to be competitive with Shimano. Disappointed for now. 

Avatar
Danzxer | 4 years ago
1 like

After a quick look I found Etap force hrd upgrade kit for around 2000 Euros cheaper than red but still quite a lot. Hopefully prices will come down a bit later.

Avatar
Nickc78 | 4 years ago
0 likes

Any news on the price for mini group, assuming they do it for Force? The Red axs 1x hrd comprising shifters, mech and calipers is £1800, a Force equivalent could be significantly cheaper?

Avatar
simondbarnes replied to Nickc78 | 4 years ago
0 likes

Nickc78 wrote:

Any news on the price for mini group, assuming they do it for Force? The Red axs 1x hrd comprising shifters, mech and calipers is £1800, a Force equivalent could be significantly cheaper?

It's £1300 for Force so £500 cheaper.

Avatar
Miller | 4 years ago
0 likes

This post intentionally left blank.

Avatar
Miller | 4 years ago
1 like

Here we go, the Sram hype train rolling again. Wasn't the hope for Force etap that it would be affordable? Hmm.

Avatar
Welsh boy | 4 years ago
1 like

Than is a real shame, I was hoping that the Force would be the old Red 11 speed at around £700, I had my credit card ready.  Oh well, I will be staying with my 10 speed mechanical set up for a while longer.

Avatar
oceansoul replied to Welsh boy | 4 years ago
0 likes

Welsh boy wrote:

Than is a real shame, I was hoping that the Force would be the old Red 11 speed at around £700, I had my credit card ready.  Oh well, I will be staying with my 10 speed mechanical set up for a while longer.

 

same here, still on red 2013 10speed, cannot find any reason for upgrade, adding 2lb to my bike doesn't sound very appealing

Latest Comments