SRAM Overhauls Force and Rival AXS: RED Performance Comes to the Masses

The battle for groupset supremacy is fiercer than ever. With competitors pushing the boundaries of wireless technology and gear ranges, SRAM has just made its next major move. The company has rolled out significant updates to its popular Force AXS and Rival AXS road groupsets and simultaneously launched brand-new 13-speed XPLR groups for the gravel crowd.

The headline? SRAM is bringing the pro-level ergonomics and braking performance of its top-tier RED AXS groupset to its more accessible Force and Rival lines. This isn't just a simple case of older technology trickling down. Instead, SRAM has strategically applied its latest design principles to cater to the dedicated enthusiast and budget-conscious riders who stand to benefit most from enhanced performance.

Of course, these upgrades come with trade-offs in materials and weight, and a notable increase in price. Let's dive into what’s new, what it means for you, and whether the upgrades are worth it.

Revolutionized Braking and Ergonomics: The RED Experience

The most significant update across both Force and Rival is the complete redesign of the shifters and brakes to mirror the latest-generation RED AXS. SRAM’s goal was to deliver an identical braking experience across all three tiers, and the results are impressive.

The new system is built around what SRAM calls “one-finger braking.” Thanks to a higher brake lever pivot and redesigned internals, the effort required to brake has been dramatically reduced—by a claimed 80% from the hoods and 33% from the drops. This means more control and less fatigue, whether you're navigating a technical descent or scrubbing speed in a tight pack.

The ergonomics have been refined based on four years of rider feedback. The hood shape is more comfortable for a neutral wrist position, and both groupsets now include reach adjust, allowing riders to customize the fit for their hand size. In a key upgrade, Rival now features a carbon lever, shedding weight and bringing it closer to Force in feel and finish. While the braking performance and ergonomics are virtually indistinguishable from RED, the primary differences lie in the texture of the hood covers.

Drivetrain Deep Dive: Lighter, Faster, and More Versatile

Derailleurs and Shifting SRAM has refined the front derailleurs for both Force and Rival, incorporating a narrower cage. This design provides less room for the chain to move, resulting in faster and more precise shifts, especially when shifting under load.

The rear derailleurs have also been updated. The Force rear derailleur is now 12 grams lighter thanks to a revised cage structure and incorporates a larger X-Sync pulley wheel to improve drivetrain efficiency. A key distinction between the two groups is the inclusion of "Bonus Buttons" on the inside of the Force shifter hoods. These ANT+ enabled buttons, first seen on RED, can be programmed to control shifters, cycle through screens on a head unit, or manage connected apps.

Cranksets, Chainrings, and Power Meters SRAM has focused heavily on reducing weight and improving serviceability in its new cranksets. The Force carbon crankset is now 92 grams lighter, while the smartly redesigned Rival aluminum crank sheds 50 grams.

Perhaps the most practical update comes to the power-equipped Force groupset. It now uses a "Thread Mount" chainring system, a design borrowed from the RED XPLR line. This is a huge win for consumers. Previously, the power meter was integrated into the chainrings, meaning a worn-out chainring required replacing the entire expensive unit. Now, you can replace the chainrings separately, extending the life of your power meter.

• SRAM Force AXS offers three 2x chainring combinations (50/37T, 48/35T, 46/33T) and features a spider-based power meter that provides dual-sided power measurement with a claimed accuracy of +/-1.5%.

• SRAM Rival AXS is available with two 2x chainring options (48/35T, 46/33T). Its power meter is spindle-based, measuring left-sided power to calculate a total wattage figure.

Both non-power versions of Force and Rival can be upgraded with a spindle-based, left-side-only power meter at any time.

The Gravel Frontier: Welcome to 13-Speed XPLR

Alongside the road updates, SRAM has launched Force XPLR and Rival XPLR groupsets, bringing its rugged, 13-speed gravel technology to more accessible price points.

The standout feature is the adoption of the Full Mount hangerless interface, a design seen on SRAM's mountain bike transmissions. This system mounts the derailleur directly to the frame, eliminating the traditional derailleur hanger—a common point of failure on rough terrain. The result is a dramatically more robust and resilient drivetrain built to withstand the rigors of gravel riding and racing.

Both Force XPLR and Rival XPLR are 1x-specific and designed to work with a new 10-46T 13-speed cassette, which offers a massive 460% range with tight jumps between gears for maintaining a smooth cadence on unpredictable terrain.

The Bottom Line: Weight, Price, and Integration

SRAM has successfully reduced the overall weight of both groupsets.

• A 2x Force AXS groupset with a power meter is now 183g lighter, tipping the scales at 2,776g.
• A 2x Rival AXS groupset with a power meter is 213g lighter, weighing in at 2,993g.

However, this enhanced performance and reduced weight come at a cost. Prices have risen substantially across all configurations.

SRAM AXS Road Pricing (USD):

• 2x Force AXS with power meter: $2,842
• 2x Force AXS (non-power): $2,432
• 2x Rival AXS with power meter: $1,929
• 2x Rival AXS (non-power): $1,764

Finally, while SRAM's Hammerhead Karoo bike computer is deeply integrated into the AXS ecosystem, it is not included as standard with bikes built with Force or Rival AXS, unlike some aftermarket RED AXS options.

With these updates, SRAM has created a clear and compelling hierarchy. Force AXS is for the serious cyclist who craves near-pro-level performance, modularity, and features without the premium price of RED. Rival AXS delivers the core benefits—flawless electronic shifting and best-in-class braking—in a package that sets a new standard for performance-oriented value. And for gravel riders, the new XPLR groups offer a taste of the most durable and capable drivetrain technology on the market.

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