SRAM has certainly accomplished greater than daring new graphics and minor updates, ushering in important developments just like the Common Derailleur Hanger (UDH) and direct-mount Transmission derailleurs in previous groupset releases.
Sharp-eyed gravel bike aficionados have noticed what seems to be a brand new SRAM Pink XPLR groupset on sponsored riders’ bikes for months. It seems to be 13-speed and makes use of a direct-mount rear derailleur, like SRAM’s mountain bike Transmission items.
Each are actually confirmed true, and SRAM didn’t cease there. The brand new top-end gravel groupset follows sizzling on the heels of the model’s latest launch of its Pink AXS highway groupset, which was launched in Could. Certainly, Pink XPLR AXS borrows key objects from Pink AXS and SRAM’s present Eagle mountain bike lineup.
The Massive Deal: 13 Speeds on SRAM Pink AXS XPLR
Essentially the most important change for SRAM Pink AXS XPLR is the 13-speed rear cassette. It sports activities a 10-46T vary, including a brand new 12-tooth cog and the bigger 46-tooth cog, up from 44T. This expands the vary from 440% to 460%. Apparently, the extra cog shrinks the gaps on the smaller facet of the cogset however enlarges the “bailout” leap from the 38-44T of the 12-speed XPLR to 38-46T on this new 13-speed model.
Gravel hounds who needed extra vary than the outgoing top-tier XPLR groupset usually constructed SRAM “mullet” drivetrains, mating an Eagle rear derailleur and cassette to the rest of their Pink bikes. This setup afforded a 500% vary, given the 10-50T cogset. The brand new 13-speed XPLR cogs straddle the distinction.
The latest cassette continues to be appropriate with XDR freehub our bodies. SRAM has a brand new Pink chain to mate with the brand new cogs, however the brand new groupset is backward-compatible with all flat-top chains.
UDH-Solely Rear Derailleur
Simply as important to me is the UDH-only rear derailleur, which positively has some execs and cons. The brand new Pink AXS XPLR fully eliminates the hanger, mounting precisely just like the SRAM Transmission items.
This “Full Mount” affords a number of benefits, like zero derailleur changes and a way more strong attachment. Nevertheless it additionally presents a bevy of potential issues, with body compatibility being one of many largest of them.
The brand new SRAM Pink AXS XPLR rear derailleur borrows the Magic Wheel from the mountain bike facet. That is an outsized decrease pulley wheel that’s primarily a wheel inside a wheel. If a stick or different object will get jammed on this pulley wheel, the outer toothed portion can hold spinning on the stationary internal portion, doubtlessly stopping catastrophic injury.
The brand new rear derailleur additionally has a spring clutch, like mountain bike items, which improves chain slack administration. SRAM additionally affords elements, and the Pink AXS XPLR rear derailleur is about as much as be rebuildable. The unit is appropriate with present AXS batteries.
You Don’t Need to Pitch the Energy Meter
One factor about SRAM Pink energy meters that has all the time bothered me is the one-piece design with the chainrings. This built-in method does cut back weight and enhance accuracy, however it looks as if such a waste of cash and supplies to toss a working energy meter into the trash when a chainring is worn. It additionally made altering gearing up entrance financially unfeasible to everybody I do know.
The brand new Pink AXS XPLR 1x Energy Meter lastly eliminates all of this. The brand new energy meter is predicated on a spider, so the chainrings could be changed or swapped out for various gearing with out large waste or emptying your pockets. The Tread Mount chainrings can be found in 38T to 46T.
SRAM claims the brand new dual-sided energy meter’s accuracy to be ±1.5% and affords cranks from 160 mm to 175 mm. The ability meter is IPX7 waterproof and makes use of a single CR2032 battery with a claimed lifetime of 200 hours.
Brake Calipers and Shift-Brake Levers From Pink AXS Highway
The SRAM Pink AXS highway brake calipers and shift-brake levers switch to the Pink AXS XPLR gravel groupset, bringing all of the upgrades and enhancements from that still-new setup. You may examine all of it right here: SRAM Pink AXS Highway Groupset: Leaked, Spied, however Lastly Right here.
Of Course, It’s Lighter and Prices Extra
The brand new SRAM Pink AXS XPLR groupset is at the least 100 g lighter than the outgoing groupset, and it’s even lighter than the brand new SRAM Pink AXS highway groupset.
And, you guessed it, it does value extra — much more. The highest-of-the-line SRAM gravel groupset prices an astounding $3,979 with an influence meter and $3,529 with out. That is about $1,000 greater than Shimano’s new top-level gravel providing, 2 x 12 GRX Di2, which weighs about 350 g extra.
The New SRAM Pink AXS XPLR: For Racers Solely?
The brand new SRAM Pink AXS XPLR actually has enviable options and qualities. I’ve not examined the groupset but, however man, I wish to. With the pricing the way in which it’s, this may be a “racer-only” product. The cassette alone is $650!
Nevertheless, SRAM has traditionally introduced many top-tier options down its lineups. SRAM Pressure is so good, and the Apex groupset considerably decreased the monetary entry level of digital shifting. I sincerely hope SRAM follows go well with with the brand new Pink XPLR AXS.
Learn all concerning the SRAM Pink XPLR AXS.
