SRAM Goes 1×13! SRAM Red XPLR. Sorry MTBers, it’s gravel only

Today, SRAM is launching SRAM Red XPLR – a brand new 13-speed, single chainring groupset. Before mountain bikers get too excited, although it’s an off road system, it’s intended purely for drop bars and gravel bikes, though much of the technology will already be familiar to mountain bikers.

At the heart of the system is what SRAM calls its Full Mount derailleur system. This is the bit that mountain bikers will recognise, as it uses the UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) system that has become commonplace on mountain bikes in recent years. However, it’s a pretty new thing on the road* and, despite a list of advocates to the new standard for gravel, it’s still pretty uncommon on drop bar bikes. This will doubtless change in the near future.

The RED AXS rear derailleur is wirelessly controlled from the paddles on the brake levers. One lever goes up the block, one goes down. That’s all there is to it, really. The rear mech includes the normal SRAM replaceable, quick-charge battery and is fully rebuildable should you shred something other than a trail. The jockey wheels include SRAM’s Magic Wheel that keeps turning even if you get a stick stuck in it.

The next thing you’ll notice is the number of rear sprockets on this one-by system: 13! SRAM has managed to cram thirteen sprockets onto a cassette that still fits its XDR rear cassette driver body. This is, apparently, due to the extra space available thanks to switching over to the UDH system, plus the dish on the big sprocket, where it arches over the spokes. RED AXS runs the same Flattop chain as 12 speed systems. But this one says ‘RED’ on it!

13 speeds, count ’em…

I did quiz SRAM on whether this is something that mountain bikers might get to see in the future. The answer was a pretty straightforward ‘Why do you need more gears? Do you not have enough already?’ So I’ll take that as a ‘no, not yet’ for the moment, as everyone knows that one more is one more, right?

While the SRAM mountain bike Transmission focusses on strength and shifting ability under full power, RED XPLR prioritises speed of shifting, with smaller gaps between gears. The 13speed XPLR cassette features a 10-46T spread – which extends the bottom capacity by two teeth. A welcome move for riders in hilly areas, or who are just very, very tired… The numbers are : 10,11,12,13,15,17,19,21,24,28,32,38,46. The cassette weighs 288g

RED XPLR cranks

The cranks come in a range of teeth from 38T – 46T. Tall, medium, short and spinny riders will be pleased to hear that the cranks will come in the following crank lengths: 160, 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5 and 175mm. There is also a power meter crank, as well as a regular direct-mount chainring version.

SRAM RED AXS Levers

There has been a lot of work gone into the RED AXS levers. The brake cylinder has been changed from sitting vertically to sitting horizontally (and using a pulling piston design vs the previous push design) . This has allowed the engineers to move the brake pivot point upwards for more power (as Shimano has just done with GRX Di2…) and proper one finger braking from the hoods. 33% less effort, in fact, compared to RED eTap.

The brake hoods have been lengthened by around 6mm, presumably to make room for this new piston design, but SRAM reckons that your reach on the bike won’t change noticeably as the brakes are now slightly angled up (at 7°) so your hands meet the brake hoods earlier. This length allows a solid three fingers under the hood for maximum grip, as well as allowing for a greater range of lever adjustment for smaller hands.

The RED AXS brake calipers are two-piece and neatly vented/cut-away. There’s a new design of rotor too. The brakes ship with organic pads.

Karoo you

With SRAM’s recentish purchase of Hammerhead and a new Karoo 3 head unit out now, expect more integration with the new RED AXS and the Karoo 3. There are ‘bonus buttons’ on the inside thumb edge of the brake hoods for wirelessly scrolling through screens from the hoods.

2488g

2488g is what SRAM reckons the whole groupset weighs. By comparison, that’s 218g lighter than it’s previous RED AXS groupset.

There’s a new matching set of wheels, too – ZIPP 303 SL70 XPLR and some matching Goodyear tyres to go with them.

What do you reckon then? The righteous march or technology? Or a world gone made and what was wrong with Sturmey 3 speeds?

*That list of bike companies that currently have UDH gravel bikes includes:

ENVE, Ari, Cervelo, Corratec, Specialized, BMC, Cube, Storck, Mondraker, Ridley, Rose, Scott, Canyon, Cipollini, Bianchi, Titici, Berria, Colnago, Aurum, MMR, Megamo, Wilier, Rondo and Lauf.