There it is, sparkling in the sun: SRAM have put a lot of emphasis on the look of the new Force AXS. But what innovations are hidden under the glittering paint? We tested the SRAM Force AXS 2023 in Portugal and looked behind the sparkling facade for you.
In 2019, SRAM turned the upper mid-range upside down with the first Force AXS and made wireless electronic shifting affordable, underlining the revolutionary spirit of the American company. SRAM present themselves as a rider-oriented antithesis to traditional gear ratios, consistently focusing on the compatibility of MTB and road/gravel components and anchoring the 1x drivetrain in the gravel segment.
At first glance, the new Force is not all that revolutionary, though. If you’ve secretly hoped for a 13th sprocket, be prepared to be disappointed. What’s revolutionary is the order in which SRAM revises its groupsets. While top dog Shimano leaks innovations from the top group DURA-ACE to the ULTEGRA to the more affordable 105, the Americans have taken a different approach here. After the SRAM Rival AXS, it’s the Force and not the RED that benefits from the developers’ ambition. And said ambition consists mainly of revising the points of criticism directed at the previous groupset. The following aspects seem to have been high on the priority list.
Glamour, please! The look of the new SRAM Force AXS 2023
Look is a matter of taste. If you found the previous SRAM Force too sober or lacking in appearance of value, then you’ve a sparkling chance of finding the style partner for your dream bike in the new version. The spectral colours, iridescent depending on the light, harmonise perfectly with the glitzy paint, which SRAM have poetically christened Unicorn Grey. The look is not too exaggerated or brash and only reveals its visual depth in direct sunlight. Particularly on plain frames or in combination with chameleon paintwork, the Force AXS can fully exploit its glamour factor.
Grip, please! The new hoods of the SRAM Force AXS 2023
An often criticised aspect of the current Force is the shape of its hoods. Clunky and difficult to grip for small hands, they dominated the silhouette of the bike. That’s a thing of the past as of now. The new hand rests are much more subtle, easier to grip, and simply nicer. What they’re not is: completely new. They’re the hoods that have already been used in the SRAM Rival AXS – in the same form and with the same inner workings. But if you can leave your status thinking aside for a moment, chances are you will be quite happy with them.
More feel, please! The shifting quality of the SRAM Force AXS 2023
Up to now, the Force has not been known for fast shifting and outstanding shifting precision of the front derailleur. This was compounded by occasional chain drops. The problem is supposed to improve drastically with a new cage shape and intended to be eliminated altogether with a new crank. In essence, it’s about integrating the chainrings and power meter into a solid block that is more torsion-resistant and thus allows for faster and more precise shifting. Sounds familiar? The top group RED already relies on this principle. And indeed, the Force crank is visually very close to the RED. Only the finish with its large, polished chainring is reserved for the high-end groupset.
As consistent as the solution appears, it has one sticking point: If a chainring is worn, the entire unit – including the optional power meter – must be replaced. The potential gain in shifting quality is resource-intensive and expensive. The spare part of the integrated chainrings including power meter costs a whopping € 443. Our test rides so far have been too short to make any meaningful statements about shifting quality and precision compared to the previous Force AXS, but the shifting didn’t feel any faster. We will let you know whether the shifting quality ultimately emerges as the winner from this material battle. Besides glamour, grip, and (possibly) more precise shifting, the SRAM Force AXS has more to offer, of course. Here are the components in detail.
The new SRAM Force AXS 2023 shift-brake levers
Traditionally, SRAM don’t differentiate between gravel and road bikes with their STIs but relies on one design for all disciplines. The slim hoods are much easier to grip, offer good support, and are easy to handle even for smaller hands. The same applies to the lightweight carbon brake levers. Unlike the hoods, they do not come from the SRAM Rival AXS, but are Force-specific new developments. The goal was to create more space between the handlebar and the brake levers and thereby prevent getting the fingers caught. Gear changes can be triggered not only via the newly shaped paddle shifters but also via the Wireless Blips introduced in 2022. Six of them can be freely placed on the handlebar or aero bars, just as the mood takes you. What the Blips cannot do (yet) is control an AXS dropper post.
SRAM Force AXS 2023: new crank, permanently integrated power meter
SRAM push the power meter. Regardless of whether you have a 1x or 2x drivetrain, there is an elegantly integrated optional power meter for both solutions. With the 1x drive, it is hidden in the spindle; with the 2x drive, it’s fully integrated into the chainring set. This solution promises a light, stiff and durable crankset, as well as better shifting performance. Unfortunately, it also promises an expensive complete replacement in case of a worn chainring. Although SRAM offers a discounted replacement part, establishing the power meter as a disposable part in the upper mid-range is neither sustainable nor sensible in our opinion. Both cranks are of course still available without a power meter.
The crank arm itself is made of carbon. Here, too, you will find the sparkling grey paint with the spectral-coloured accents. SRAM call this verbally elusive detail Laser Foil. Visually, the Force 2x drivetrain moves closer to the RED with its distinctive design of the chainrings and, in addition to the familiar 48-35 t and 43-30 t chainring combos, for the first time also offers the previously RED-exclusive 50-37 t gradation. If you are mathematically inclined, you will notice that the typical SRAM spacing of 13 teeth between the large and small chainring remains.
The 1x crankset is available in gradations of 36-50 t. SRAM automatically identifies you as a time trialist if you want a 48 or 50 tooth chainring and dresses up your drivetrain with an aero blade.
The front derailleur of the new SRAM Force AXS 2023
The front derailleur remains largely untouched. A new shift cage is supposed to ensure higher shifting precision, and a special setup kit helps with the simple adjustment and optimal alignment of the front derailleur above the chainring. With the intuitive, wireless initial installation of the Force AXS and the setup kit, SRAM want to specifically address those buyers who assemble and build their bike themselves. The motor and the mechanics of the front derailleur, however, remain unchanged. The sometimes criticised shifting speed does not change.
The rear derailleur of the new SRAM Force AXS 2023
Long cage? Short cage? One cage! The new SRAM Force AXS aims to offer the rider maximum compatibility and transmission range. The front derailleur has a range of 10–36 teeth (10–44 t for the XPLR version) and guides the chain through the gears without rattling – thanks to the familiar Orbit damper. The only thing that’s really new here is the look. You know, the Unicorn Grey and Laser Foil combo.
The cassettes of the new SRAM Force AXS 2023
The cassettes are available in the familiar 10–28 t, 10–33 t, 10–36 t and 10–44 t (XPLR) ranges. A nickel-chrome-alloy-coating is supposed to make the sprockets more durable and the drivetrain quieter.
The limited Rainbow version of the cassette clearly falls under bike porn. Strictly speaking, this is a RED cassette, which, together with the Rainbow chain, should attract maximum attention at the cold brew coffee break. Only the necessary small change and a lot of cleaning discipline separate you from the envious glances of the community.
The SRAM Force AXS 2023: Brakes
The Force AXS decelerates with real show stoppers, if you like. The brakes are simply the familiar model in a new glamour guise. Modulation and braking power are very good. In our last tests, however, Shimano’s GRX and ULTEGRA brakes were a bit snappier. The Force AXS brakes are perfectly satisfactory, though.
Prices and weights of the SRAM Force AXS 2023
In terms of price, the new Force AXS poaches in the territory of its predecessor. We expect that you will have to invest between € 1,500 and € 1,800 if you decide to buy the refreshed group. Economising will rather be possible with the weight. The Force AXS has lost roughly 100 g compared to its predecessor and comes within 200 g of the RED on the scales. A large part of the weight reduction is due to the carbon brake levers and the integrated chainrings. This puts the Force AXS pretty much on a par with the ULTEGRA Di2.
Conclusion about the SRAM Force AXS 2023
The new SRAM Force AXS isn’t a revolution. But one wasn’t really necessary. With the new hoods, the new look, and the possibly stiffer crankset, SRAM have ticked the wish list of many current and potential Force fans. With the slimmer hoods and the visually revised RED crank, it even poaches in the territory of the top groupset. However, the shifting speed itself has not changed, and with the downgrading of the power meter to a wear-and-tear part, the Americans have overshot the mark.
More information at sram.com
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Words: Nils Hofmeister Photos: Nils Hofmeister, Brazo de Hierro
