After SRAM chummed the water with some not-so-secret spy photographs of the unreleased 13-speed SRAM RED XPLR groupset, a lot of the gravel world sat ready, money in hand. Nicely, it’s lastly out, with particulars and a few bonus merchandise that can make your head spin — so let’s get to it!
What’s SRAM RED XPLR?
The newest launch follows the brand new SRAM RED groupset. The up to date group improves many small particulars however dramatically improves braking and lever really feel. SRAM determined to make this soar whereas all the things fell into place. The SRAM Transmission mountain bike group used the UDH to create a bombproof rear derailleur, and the present XLPR line drifted into gravel territory.
A correct combination of mountain and street from the SRAM groupset universe fashioned. So why not?
Why 13 Speeds?
The primary query that involves thoughts with “new or extra gears” is, “is that this a brand new customary?” Nevertheless, the brand new RED XPLR group set makes use of the identical XDR driver physique because the 12-speed group units and the identical chain, so there isn’t any new customary.
How? The distinctive cassette angles over the spokes and doesn’t take up any more room on the cassette physique.
New Chain? Kind of—however no. This is identical flattop 12-speed chain you’ll discover on the brand new SRAM RED however with some further bling.
SRAM RED XPLR Derailleur
In case you’re conversant in the SRAM Transmission mountain bike groupset, the brand new RED XPLR derailleur gained’t shock you. Nevertheless, there are some very cool gravel—and drop bar-specific additions.
What’s the “similar”? There’s a whole lot of carry over from the Transmission world together with the identical AXS batteries, the identical Magic wheel (genius), zero restrict screws, and naturally, a UDH mount. Upkeep, set up, and troubleshooting are exactly the identical because the transmission line, and the identical goes for chain sizing utilizing the SRAM chain size calculator.
How about interchangeable components with Transmission? The pulley set from the Transmission derailleurs and the GX Transmission rear derailleur battery latch are interchangeable with the RED XPLR AXS rear derailleur. SRAM states that these are the one components of the derailleurs that can be utilized interchangeably.
The XPLR line is restricted to the size of the cage and a few bits to loosen up the derailleur to be worthy of the SRAM RED naming conference. All the derailleur is rebuildable, and components are all replaceable apart from the entrance, the place “RED” is engraved.
The brand new design will solely work with the SRAM 10-46T XPLR 13-speed cassette and street Flattop chains.
SRAM XPLR Cassette
The cassette is essentially the most wonderful stand-alone piece of the SRAM RED XPLR groupset. It jogs my memory of the primary power-dome RED cassettes, which had been a murals and loud, haha.
The XPLR cassette, nonetheless, attracts on years of product data and delivers a very good look and useful design. The cassette mimics the Transmission design with a block of street/gravel gears.
It provides a 460% vary, and if paired with the fitting entrance ring, it’s best to be capable to climb something. Just like the transmission groupset, the cassette shifts the most effective underneath load and pressure. One thing that’s normally a no-no, given the torque produced within the decrease gears. This (like Transmission) makes the groupset an actual choice for e-bike and e-gravel riders, shifting underneath load consistently.
The gearing jumps are tight for the 4 highest gears, then skip a tooth for the subsequent three, and get additional spaced out as you journey up the cassette.
SRAM XPLR cassette tooth rely: 10,11,12,13,15,17,19,21,24,28,32,38 and at last 46T
SRAM XPLR Crankset and Powermeter
Not like Shimano, SRAM went all-in with energy and redesigned chainrings for his or her RED XPLR crankset. Just like the transmission mountain bike crankset, the crankset makes use of a thread-on chainring obtainable in lots of gravel-specific sizes (38T-46T).
For these seeking to harness the ability, the brand new SRAM RED XPLR crankset with energy boasts twin facet energy seize, 200 hours of battery life with a replaceable coin cell battery, and IPX7 waterproof safety. Good for these creek crossings; don’t keep underneath water longer than half-hour.
The crankset itself is a SRAM RED design (the identical as the most recent launch), obtainable with or with no energy meter. These not power-hungry can go for the direct-mount single chainrings, obtainable within the actual 38T-46T sizing.
SRAM RED XPLR Shifters / Brakes
Some gadgets, together with the shifters and brakes, are carried over from the SRAM RED launch. Sure, the shifters now go as much as 13 factors on the cassette, however the brake lever and caliper are the identical.
It looks as if extra cross-over. What’s backward appropriate? The SRAM RED XPLR AXS will work with prior generations. It’s also appropriate with all AXS controls, all street Flattop chains, and all large 1x crank arms. Nevertheless, as a result of the 13-speed Full Mount rear derailleur is optimized to work with the RED XPLR XG-1391 cassette, these drivetrain components usually are not backward appropriate.
I wished to the touch on the shifter and brake setup rapidly. The design is greater than refined; it’s a full overhaul. The lever pull has an ease I’ve by no means felt in SRAM street brakes. The caliper physique appears extra like a CNC machined one-off than a solid or solid manufacturing piece.
I didn’t cowl the RED street launch, so this was new to me once I skilled it with the RED XLPR gear – this was a severe brake efficiency replace.
SRAM RED XPLR Pricing
- XPLR Rear Derailleur:USD: $700.00, EUR: €630.00, GBP: £540.00
- Crimson E1 Flattop Chain: USD: $99.00, EUR: €89.00, GBP: £76.00
- Crimson XPLR Cassette: USD: $600.00, EUR: €585.00, GBP: £500.00
- Crimson XPLR Crankset (non-power): USD: $650.00 (chainring included), EUR: €585.00, GBP: £500.00
- Crimson XPLR Crankset Energy (chainring included):, USD: $1,100.00, EUR: €990.00, GBP: £850.00
- Separate Chainrings:USD: $150.00, EUR: €135.00, GBP: £115.00
- Paceline X Rotor: USD: $70.00, EUR: €63.00, GBP: £54.00
- SRAM RED Shifter/Brake lever: USD: $675.00, EUR: €608.00, GBP: £520.00
SRAM RED XPLR Weights
- SRAM XPLR Derailleur: 375g
- SRAM XPLR cassette: 289g
- SRAM XPLR Rotor: 132g (no lock ring)
- SRAM Dub BB T47: 87g
- SRAM RED Chain: 250g
- SRAM XPLR Crankset 40T Energy: 514g
- SRAM RED Brake/Shift Lever (with hose and caliper): 370g
First Impressions: SRAM RED XPLR Assessment
I used to be pumped when SRAM let the cat out of the bag. They had been making a gravel-specific groupset. I knew the brand new groupset had higher braking efficiency, and they’re devoted to the 1x drive prepare; it may very well be implausible.
Spyshots revealed a stunning mixture of the Transmission mountain bike design and the brand new iteration of RED… however with an additional gear. After studying the brand new groupset required no new customary or chain, I used to be further curious.
Set up and Construct
When the groupset arrived, I adopted the SRAM directions to the “T” and was pleasantly stunned to have an uneventful time with the meeting. Most evaluation bikes come absolutely assembled, and we dial them in, however not often do I construct a body from the underside up, particularly with new gear. However the directions had been spot on, the brakes had been very straightforward to arrange/bleed, and the chain sizing was foolproof. I used the brand new Park Instrument 13 spd chain device, and although the chain remains to be a “12-speed” design, it labored excellently.
The RED XPLR makes use of the identical setup as Transmission MTB; the setup cog is highlighted with an orange band (the gray ones are to deaden the sound of the cassette). You measurement the chain with the rear derailleur in setup mode (a click on between absolutely open and engaged to experience). Pull the physique tight so the chain is engaged, and tighten the UDH fixing bolt to torque, permitting the 2 strains on the hanger to satisfy up.
Trip Prepared
After the set up, I used to be desirous to get on the street, so I slapped on some wheels (the Zipp 303 XPLR wheels had been nonetheless within the mail). The very first thing I observed was the braking efficiency. I’ve ridden the earlier RED groupset for some time. Each iteration will get barely higher from the primary RED hydro brake, however not “wow” higher.
This model is WOW higher and completely matches the type of gravel using. One-finger braking is simple, and the lever feels clean and fluid. The lever physique melts in your hand and permits for a full hand on the lever. Plus – there’s a bonus button, one which’s simply programable and tactile.
Shifting Pace
The shifting is faster than the Transmission MTB (or it feels that manner) and really clean. The cassette jumps, and a 40T entrance ring appear spot-on for my using type. The upper finish of the cluster is tightly spaced and permits for a cadence dial-in and metered effort. As you journey up the cassette, the jumps are extra important till you attain the “save me” 46T cog.
Just like the Transmission MTB groupsets, the RED XPLR group shifts exceptionally nicely underneath load. You possibly can shift rapidly when chugging alongside on chunky gravel, spinning a sluggish cadence. The identical goes for climbing and shifting to a better gear for an all-out assault. It lacks that “ca-chunk” shifting sound and feels extra like a barely elevated stress on the pedals.
Chain Retention
Chain retention is nicely managed, and I didn’t drop a series throughout my take a look at intervals—consider me, I attempted. The marginally smaller cage of the RED XPLR derailleur holds the chain properly with out affecting the texture whereas pedaling. I attribute this to the chain sizing device as nicely.
The crankset is a pleasant mixture of street and MTB. The spin-on chainring could be very dialed and one thing I favored from the Transmission XX SL cranksets. It does require a selected device to take away the ring (above), and it’s obtainable individually for those who’re like me and prefer to swap rings consistently like a observe racer.
So Far, So Good
I’m reserving my full ideas for an extended (months) evaluation interval, however I’m very impressed up to now. Sure, it’s a RED groupset, so it’s pricy, however the efficiency is implausible, and the progress ought to (hopefully) hit the FORCE and APEX teams. Nevertheless, the cassette shall be powerful to get down in worth from $600 to one thing extra palatable to the general public.
As of proper now, I’m very proud of the SRAM RED XPLR groupset. The efficiency in shifting, braking, and total ease of use is top-notch. Search for a full evaluation as we put the RED XPLR group via the paces and even some cyclocross racing early within the fall.
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