For months, we’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the latest SRAM RED XPLR AXS groupset. We knew from spy shots that this new gravel group would have 13-speeds and a “Full Mount” rear derailleur, as well as new shifters, brakes, and cranks.
Last year, SRAM dropped its groundbreaking T-Type Transmission MTB drivetrains. These introduced the Full Mount rear derailleur which eliminated the derailleur hanger to improve shifting and increase durability. Then this spring, SRAM released its latest RED AXS road groupset, which introduced reshaped shift levers with the more powerful brakes.
Now 13-speed RED XPLR AXS is finally here and it essentially combines all the major updates from SRAM’s latest MTB and road drivetrains. As TPC’s 1x drivetrain evangelist, I’m pretty excited. I’ve been able to play with RED XPLR a little bit and geek out over all the specs. There are plenty of things I like, and a few things that I don’t like as much. Let’s take a closer look.
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SRAM RED XPLR AXS Highlights
- SRAM’s latest 1x gravel drivetrain
- 13-speed 10-46t XPL cassette
- New Full Mount rear derailleur
- Precise shifting and impact resistance
- Simple setup with no adjustment screws
- Better chain retention with MTB-inspired spring clutch
- Uses replaceable and rebuildable parts
- Uses the Magic Wheel pulley
- Uses new E1 RED shifters, brakes, and crank arms
- Cranks use an XPLR spindle which is the same as DUB Wide
- Designed for a 47.5 mm chainline
- 150mm Q-Factor
- New Power meter uses replaceable 38-46t Thread Mount chainrings
- Compatible with existing AXS batteries
- Uses standard SRAM road Flattop chains
- Requires a frame with a UDH interface
- Not compatible with MTBs
6 Things I Like About RED XPLR
13-Speeds and Tighter Gearing
I’m superstitious and I consider 13 my lucky number (I was born on Friday the 13th!), so I’m very pleased that there is now another 13-speed drivetrain on the market. In all seriousness though, what I really like is how the new 13-speed cassette has closed the gap to 2x drivetrains… literally.
Despite having more overall range than the previous generation 12-speed 10-44t cassette, the new 13-speed 10-46t RED XPLR cassette also has smaller jumps between the highest gears. While the old version had a single 1-tooth jump between its highest gears, the new version now has THREE 1-tooth jumps (the cogs are 10/11/12/13/15/17/19/21/24/28/32/38/46T).
With tighter jumps at the top end, it will be easier to maintain the optimal cadence when you’re on the rivet. This will help riders trying to stay attached to a fast group or time-trial their way to victory.
The Full Mount Derailleur
At this point, many of us have probably already seen videos of people standing on SRAM’s T-Type Transmission mountain bike derailleurs or bashing with hammers. They’re tough AF.
The RED XPLR derailleur uses the same “Full Mount” design as the T-Type MTB derailleur, so it can also take a serious beating. Strong impacts will cause the derailleur to retract to protect itself. If anything does break, parts are replaceable and the derailleur is rebuildable.
The big advantage though is how the Full Mount design affects shifting. For one, removing the derailleur hanger is what allowed SRAM to squeeze in that extra 13th cog. But it also provides a stiffer interface, which means crisper and more precise shifts, especially under load. The Full Mount design also means there are no adjustment screws to fiddle with. Once you set it up, it works.
The new derailleur also has a more powerful MTB-style spring clutch (vs. the fluid damper on the AXS road derailleurs) for better chain retention in rough terrain. It also has the “Magic Wheel.” The lower pulley wheel can continue spinning, even if a stick or other debris gets lodged in it. This can prevent catastrophic derailleur failure during tough off-road races and backcountry adventures.
The Fast Shift Speed
SRAM’s T-Type Transmission MTB drivetrain shifts extremely well, especially under load, but some riders think this causes it to feel a bit slow. The system is mapped to the cassette and will wait to ensure every shift is perfectly timed, so the chain slides smoothly into gear and there’s no chance of a missed shift, chain skip, or a broken cassette tooth. This is especially necessary with the torque of modern E-mountain bikes.
However, this isn’t a concern with RED XPLR. It will slam the chain into gear as fast as the motor in the derailleur will move. It’s as fast as my current 1x XPLR derailleur. This is a good thing!
The Lower Weight
I’m a recovering weight weenie, so it always feels good when a new groupset is nice and light. SRAM claims a complete RED XPLR AXS groupset weighs 2,476 grams with a power meter, which is lighter than the redesigned RED AXS group (2,496 grams with a power meter) because it ditches a chainring and the front derailleur.
Most of the grams saved are due to the shift levers and brakes which drop 83 grams compared to the previous RED levers. The new RED AXS crank arms drop another 30 grams. The new RED AXS chain, which has more cut-outs, saves 13 grams. This all offsets the increased weight of the new Full Mount derailleur, which is now 379 grams (vs. 323 grams for the previous XPLR derailleur).
Then there’s the cassette! The cassette uses a similar design to the new, superlight T-Type Transmission cassettes, and weighs a feathery 288 grams. This is nearly 100 grams lighter than the 12-speed 10-44 XPLR Red/Force cassette, which weighed 379 grams!
The Feel of the Shifters and Brakes
When we tested RED AXS, the shifters and brakes impressed us the most. The new shifter shape is thinner and longer, which allows for a lot of finger wrap. This makes it feel super secure when you’re riding rough roads or pedaling out of the saddle.
The biggest improvement though is the redesigned brake piston. It’s so powerful that it’s easy to brake from the hoods with a single finger. This is also possible because the new shifter shape is designed so the brake levers won’t pinch your fingers. Many of us were so impressed with the braking power that we purchased new RED levers for our older SRAM AXS groups.
The AXS Compatibility
SRAM AXS has consistently impressed us with its broad compatibility and interchangeable components. The new RED XPLR group still uses the standard AXS battery and the same Flattop chain used on 12-speed AXS groups. Also, if you want to run the new derailleur and cassette with your old shifters and cranks, you can. AXS gives you tons of options to mix and match parts to suit your budget or needs.
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3 Things I DON’T Like About RED XPLR
The High Price
Enjoy your fancy drivetrain you rich jerk.
This isn’t that surprising since it’s a top-tier groupset, but HOLY CRAP, RED XPLR is expensive!
|
Component |
Price |
|
RED XPLR XG-1391 Cassette |
$600 |
|
RED Chain |
$89 |
|
RED XPLR Rear Derailleur (no battery) |
$700 |
|
RED AXS Shifter, Hose, & Brake (single) |
$675 (each) |
|
Paceline X Disc Rotor |
$70 (each) |
|
RED XPLR crankset w/ power meter |
$1,100 |
|
RED XPLR crankset w/o power meter |
$650 |
|
Chainring, Thread Mount for power meter |
$150 |
The derailleur is $700! The cassette is $600! Yeah, I want it, but I’m going to wait for 13-speed Force XPLR to come out because I’m a simple peasant.
Still Not Enough Range for Some
The new 10-46t XPLR cassette provides a bit more range than the old 10-44t XPLR cassette, but that still might be enough for some riders. It will be plenty versatile with a 38-40t chainring, but for serious adventure riding or ultra-steep climbs, some riders will probably prefer a 10-50t or 10-52t MTB cassette.
At the other end of the spectrum, the new Thread Mount chainrings for the new RED XPLR power meter only go up 46t, and watt monsters may want something even bigger. This means using either a RED 1x Aero chainring or an integrated RED 1x Aero Chainring + power meter.
I Didn’t Buy a UDH Frame
I want to use this group on my road bike, but the Full Mount rear derailleur is only compatible with UDH frames. I bought a new road bike frame this year but I DIDN’T buy a UDH frame. Darn it! You can find a full list of compatible UDH bikes on SRAM’s website.
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