SRAM Force eTap AXS presented – high performance at a fair price?
With the SRAM Force eTap AXS, the American company has presented the most eagerly awaited groupset. Find out here if the wait was worth it, and how much technology from the top end groupset SRAM Red has trickled down to the new Force eTap AXS!
After presenting the second generation of their high-performance groupset, the Red eTap AXS, SRAM present the most requested update to their product portfolio – the Force eTap AXS. In the past few weeks, we have already tested the SRAM Red eTap AXS extensively. Since the two groupsets share numerous features, you should also take a closer look at our review of the Red eTap AXS. Which features do they share? Well, we have summarized them right here for you.
Front derailleur
The new SRAM Force eTap AXS front derailleur can be personalized using both AXS technology and the app, just like on the front derailleur of the SRAM Red eTap AXS. Due to the revised derailleur design, bike manufacturers now have more freedom in the construction of their rear frame triangle to spec wider tires. Existing SRAM batteries are compatible with the new front derailleur.
Rear derailleur
As with the SRAM Red eTap AXS, the new Force eTap AXS will only have one rear derailleur that can handle all available chainring-cassette combinations. Again, SRAM uses the recently introduced X-RANGE technology to ensure greater gearing bandwidth. The rear derailleur damping system called Orbit is also used in the rear derailleur of the Force eTap AXS and is intended to dampen the drivetrain’s noise on uneven surfaces and to improve shifting precision due to the increased tensioning of the chain. All batteries are compatible with the reworked rear derailleur.
Chain
The chain design called Flattop, known from the Red eTap AXS is adopted for the Force eTap AXS. The new design should be lighter, more durable and more robust than previous designs. A special coating called Hard Chrome is supposed to make the insides of the chain links particularly resistant.
Cassette
The new Force XG-1270 cassette is optimized for electronic shifting according to SRAM and, like the cassette of the Red eTap AXS, has one 10 tooth sprocket on the smallest gear and at least 5 gear jumps with only one tooth difference. To use the cassette you need the new XDR freewheel body. The available gearing ratios are 10-26T, 10-28T and 10-33T.
Levers
Wireless electronic shifting and hydraulic disc brakes: SRAM also combines their in-house top technologies for the Force eTap AXS levers. Switching logic, AXS connectivity, lever adjustment and bleeding ports are adopted from the Red eTap AXS. The shift/brake levers will be available for both hydraulic disc brakes and mechanical rim brakes.
Cranks
As with the Red eTap AXS, SRAM relies on the new X-RANGE gearing and offers the revised crank of the Force eTap AXS with 48/35T and 46/33T chainring combinations. In addition, a 1x set-up with chainrings from 36-46T is available. The chainring change is to be completed quickly and intuitively by a new assembly standard, which uses only one screw. Again, SRAM rely on the narrow-wide-tooth chainring design as seen on the Red eTap AXS.
New power meter spider
Together with the Force eTap AXS, SRAM introduces a new Power Meter Spider, which makes it possible to use the Quarq DZero power meter with numerous eTap AXS cranksets. Compatible cranks are Red 1x: 36-46T, Force 1x: 36-46T and Force 2x: 48/35T and 46/33T.
SRAM Force eTap AXS prices and weight
The prices quoted are for SRAM Force eTap AXS groupsets consisting of front derailleur (if needed), rear derailleur, shift/brake levers, calipers, brake discs (if needed), crankset, bottom bracket, cassette, chain, battery and charger.
| Force eTap AXS groupset | price in EUR | weight in g |
|---|---|---|
| 2x hydraulic disc brake | 1,850 | 2,812 |
| 2x rim brake | 1,550 | 2,453 |
| 1x hydraulic disc brake | 1,450 | 2,572 |
| 1x rim brake | 1,200 (aero) | 2,213 |
SRAM Force eTap AXS – Versions
Power Meter / Cranksets:
- 2X: 48/35 46/33
- 1X: 48 (Aero) 46 44 42 40 38 36
Cassettes: 10-26 10-28 10-33
Derailleur: One derailleur for all chainring and cassette combinations
Front mech: One front mech for all chainring and cassette combinations
Disc caliper: Flat mount for 160mm or 140mm rotors
Brake rotors 140 or 160 mm, CenterLock or 6-bolt mount
The Force eTap AXS is packed with technology from the high-performance Red eTap AXS groupset and is available now. With its lower price tag, we will most likely see it specced on many bikes. However, the question remains how the groupset performs on the road and how it compares to its direct competitor, the Shimano Ultegra Di2. We are definitely looking forward to our first test.
For more info visit www.sram.com
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Words: Photos: SRAM
