Bikes Blog
First Rides: SRAM Pressure AXS & XPLOR teams get all the best refinements
Mar
The new SRAM Pressure AXS group sits someplace between evolutionary and revolutionary, delivering premium efficiency at an agreeable value level. By taking the most effective options of Purple and Rival and giving it a elegant (and sparkly!) end, they gave their 2nd tier group new life on street and gravel.
I rode each the usual 2x street group and the 1x Pressure AXS XPLOR gravel group on the launch, then had extra time at residence on the street bike earlier than penning this. Listed below are my first impressions based mostly on a pair hundred miles, beginning with a direct comparability to the prior Pressure group.
2023 Pressure AXS vs. Pressure eTap
Past the sparkly Unicorn Grey end and shimmering decals, the obvious improve to the brand new Pressure group is the one-piece chainring. Borrowed instantly from the top-tier SRAM Purple group, it’s the identical piece, simply with a inexpensive end. This piece alone is liable for saving a lot of the group’s weight over the prior eTap group, and it’s stiffer, too.
Out there with or with out an built-in Quarq energy meter, it’s additionally a good way to switch your Purple chainring set and save a pair hundred bucks.
Ergonomically, the shifters and hoods are the largest distinction. The brake hoods are smaller, with a slimmer diameter making it simpler to wrap my arms round it each on the flat half and curling a finger across the brake lever’s pivot.
Distinction this with the highest, which is only a bit broader on the brand new Pressure AXS, giving me a bit extra platform to relaxation on after I’m leaning means ahead. Whereas I just like the micro texture of the outdated model higher, the brand new one’s grooves wrap additional across the hood cowl for extra complete grip.
The shift paddles get longer, and taper on the backside. The concept was to create an even bigger contact patch when shifting, so it’s simpler to search out it it doesn’t matter what your hand place or how tough the street is.
The angled traces are indented at an angle to create grip, too, not simply beauty.
The opposite aim was to create extra finger clearance when pulling the brake lever deeper into its journey. Relying in your hand place, it sorta works, however the high of the paddle nonetheless will get fairly shut and may entice my pinky in some conditions…which implies I can’t pull the lever all the best way in.
The brand new form is best on this regard, however solely barely. Nevertheless the elevated contact patch is welcome and positively doesn’t lower finger clearance. Price noting that this downside of getting fingers block full lever pull is just not unique to SRAM.
And, contemplating the lever’s pivot level is just a few millimeters nearer to the bar, it’s now simpler to succeed in the brakes from tops and drops and carry out one-finger braking.
The brand new Pressure AXS loses the brake pad contact adjustment, however retains the lever attain adjustment (which is accessed from beneath, behind the brake lever).
Visually, the brand new Pressure AXS rear derailleur seems to be extra polished and excessive finish, which has us questioning what a brand new Purple group would possibly seem like.
2023 Pressure AXS Trip Assessment
Basic efficiency is on par with expectations. The rear shifts the identical, which isn’t stunning since neither the derailleur or cassette modified aside from cosmetically. SRAM’s rear shifting stays strong and fast sufficient.
The noticeble enhancements in efficiency come from the 2 issues that did change, the levers and the chainrings. Shifts are only a bit simpler to execute due to the elevated paddle measurement, and the chain strikes confidently between chainrings. Shifting below energy, like on a climb or a dash, isn’t just easy, however satisfying.
I’ve been a fan of SRAM’s 13-tooth chainring jumps since they launched it. Whereas not dramatically totally different than most different 2x combos, the actual sizes they selected appear to work rather well at the side of their cassette choices to offer an ample vary on any given journey.
Technically, a smaller 10-tooth cog is much less environment friendly, however I don’t spend a ton of time in it and haven’t observed any undue put on on my long run Purple or Pressure Broad group. I’ve a brand new Pressure group coming in for long run testing, however given the mainly similar components, I believe it’ll maintain up in addition to the others I’ve been using for the previous few years.
I loved the brand new, smaller brake hoods and nearer pivot placement on the street. On group rides the place I’m hovering a finger over the levers simply in case, it makes it simpler to comfortably preserve that place. And pulling the brake lever is less complicated, one finger or two.
The attain regulate is at all times appreciated, too, as I prefer to deliver my levers in a bit since I sometimes mount them towards the very high of the handlebar’s clamping space. This makes them simpler to succeed in typically, however particularly when using within the drops…which is essential on descents and tough gravel.
Regardless of being greater (and, thus, having greater arms), I’m having fun with the smaller grips, particularly on gravel with the Pressure XPLOR group. The “horns” on the very entrance are smaller now, too, due to the lacking pad contact adjustment, which makes them simpler to relaxation my arms on high for a (very) short-term aero break.
I do like having the distant Blips. However I’m on the fence about being pressured into utilizing the totally wi-fi Blips the place I can’t exchange the batteries. Handy? Sure. Eco accountable? Probably not. Fortuitously, SRAM appears to be listening to this and, properly, they’re “consistently evaluating rider’s wants and dealing on stuff”. That stated, the little nub of a set off is less complicated to really feel and use than the spherical button of the wired model, however each have their place…at the least till the following Purple replace, most likely.
Total, the brand new Pressure group is sort of a shinier, extra reasonably priced Purple group with all the identical expertise and efficiency. You may purchase this and improve to OS ceramic bearing pulleys and nonetheless come out forward, or put the additional cash into one thing like wheels or a carbon handlebar the place you’ll discover extra of a distinction.
The gorgeous and fascinating factor a few launch like this that, at a look, appears solely incremental and beauty, is that it exhibits simply how good trickle down tech is making 2nd and third tier teams. And it makes me assume they’re going to should do one thing actually particular for the following Purple group…
So, sure, the brand new Pressure group is nice. And it seems to be nice, too.
Aspect Word: We rode in Portugal.
If you happen to’re searching for someplace superior to journey, and eat, and surf, and presumably even retire, then… Portugal. Watts and I did a full week of gravel using with Thomson Bike Excursions, and the place is solely wonderful. Limitless roads, most with almost excellent pavement and little visitors provide ribbons of mountainous routes with gravel service roads taking pictures off in each path.
SRAM employed Fiona, proprietor of Echappee Portugal, to guide our rides and he or she’s wonderful. Nice routes, pleasant native data, and a really robust, expert rider. Examine her, or Thomson, out for those who’re planning a visit and go away the journey logistics to the consultants.