SRAM Red XPLR AXS 13-Spd Long-Term NO BS Review

sram red xplr axs 13-speed review — Beautiful No. 22 Drifter Adventure

“We designed new SRAM RED XPLR AXS to be the ultimate gravel drivetrain: resilient, precise, light and fast.” – SRAM

“Attaching to frames with the UDH interface, the Full Mount RED XPLR AXS rear derailleur eliminates variables by centering on the rear axle for a precise fit and superior impact resistance. It’s simpler, stronger, with no need for a hanger.”

SRAM Red XPLR AXS 13-Spd Review Video

Alternative Video Link for those reading via email subscription

Written Riding Experience of SRAM Red XPLR AXS 13-Spd

The heart of this drivetrain is the rear derailleur, and it’s not winning awards for beauty, size, svelte lines, etc, and it’s insanely expensive at $US 700. However, SRAM have done a stellar job ruggedizing this derailleur for all conditions. That includes battery placement, which is horizontal, with ultra secure protection once it’s snapped into place. It’s an absolute brute and slams gears no matter how bad conditions get, all helped by increased spring tension to assist with chain retention. This derailleur is rebuildable earlier, with replacement such as the cage assembly, upper and lower outer parallelogram, pulley wheels, battery latch, etc. Chapeau to SRAM for that.

The no tool no limit screws or B-adjustment screw makes setup super easy, but do remember, this derailleur requires a UDH compatible frame to work. UDH direct mounts the derailleur to the frame, so no more bent or broken hangers in the event of a crash… but now, the derailleur is seemingly the stress point if a crash should happen. Chime in below with your thoughts on that.

Shifting on the only cassette option of 10-46 is fast and accurate, sublime really, it never misses a beat. I gave zero thought to the shifting, it just works every time.

On that subject. I’d like to see two things happen here from SRAM HQ.

We need a cheaper version of this cassette made available. It could be heavier and constructed from less premium materials, but $US 600 for a cassette is insanity.
I’d like to see another ratio offered that doesn’t attempt to replace a 2x with a wide range 1x cassette, more about that in a moment. I found 10-46 was quite brilliant in hilly, and often steep terrain. I rode a variant of the 100k D2R2 in Western Massachusetts, folks will know what I’m talking about. I generally find 1x to be acceptable riding alone, but the moment you’re in a group and there’s a lot of pace changes, that’s where cassette gaps bother me. One gear is too hard, one is too small, etc, your experience may vary. I still prefer 2x for my personal bikes.
I would love to see SRAM produce a 10-36 variant of this cassette for 13 speed, that would be amazing for rolling hills, flatter terrains, etc. SRAM, I hope you’re watching.

The SRAM Red carbon crankset is quite lovely, although I’d recommend protecting the crank ends with frame protection, or helicopter tape as it’s known in some circles. It’s really just too nice to get smacked up. Another tech note about the chainrings, the non power meter variant relies on direct mount rings, while the power meter variant as I have, relies on threaded, replaceable “thread mount” chainrings. A specific tool is needed for the job of replacement.

The shifters and brake levers, directly ported across from SRAM Red road, may have become my new favorites. Feel and comfort are very subjective, but these levers feel so at home with my hands, and I rarely if ever wear gloves, barring cold days. Great feel on the hoods, and gobs of stopping power thanks to the SRAM Red calipers from the hoods or the drops, with very little effort needed to slow the bike. My only negative is SRAM’s continued use of DOT fluid for their braking systems, I do wish they’d get away from that, and over to mineral oil.

This groupset is expensive, somewhere in the neighborhood of about $US 4,000 with the power meter, or a little over $3500 sans power meter. The groupset is undeniably less expensive when purchased with many frames and forks on the market, but pricing is not going to fall within everyone’s budget. For certain, the groupset is a tough sell… you gain an additional cog over existing 1×12 speed sram drivetrains, and it costs a pretty penny to do so. Food for thought.

Overall, SRAM Red XPLR 13 is the best 1x specific drivetrain for gravel on the market. If the groupset is within your budget, it is perfect for the rider who loves to race, or enjoys spicy, performance oriented riding with your mates.