Bikes Blog
SRAM’s second-generation Power AXS digital groupset takes cues from Rival and refines entrance derailleur
Mar
There’s a change to naming conventions, with SRAM dropping eTap from the groupset’s title – so, henceforth, it’s simply SRAM Power AXS.
SRAM has made minimal or no modifications to lots of the different parts for the second era of its second-tier 12-speed digital street bike groupset.
SRAM launched Power eTap AXS 12-speed in 2019, not lengthy after its range-topping Crimson eTap AXS. Power eTap AXS shares lots of the options of the Crimson wi-fi 12-speed groupset, however at a extra inexpensive worth.
In April 2021 Rival eTap AXS was launched. It’s truthful to say Rival has taken up a whole lot of the house occupied beforehand by Power, with many manufacturers selling Rival eTap AXS as an digital groupset possibility on their mid-tier bikes.
Right here, we’ll run by means of the every of parts of the second-generation Power AXS 12-speed groupset, their weights and costs. Have a look too at Liam Cahill’s SRAM Power AXS first journey overview and his evaluation of the brand new groupset.
The 6 key issues it is advisable to find out about new SRAM Power AXS
- Full vary of various groupset configurations to go well with completely different driving types: double-chainring, single-ring, double-ring Extensive, single-ring Extensive and XPLR
- Redesigned shifters are extra compact however lose brake chunk level adjustment and wired Blips compatibility
- Commonplace chainset and energy meter are, like Crimson, one-piece direct mount, and not using a separate spider and bolt-on chainrings
- Revised front-derailleur geometry for claimed snappier shifting
- Nonetheless suitable with parts from all different AXS-enabled street and MTB groupsets
- New shiny graphics
SRAM Power AXS chainset
Aside from the brand new graphics, the largest change seen with SRAM Power AXS groupset is within the new vary of normal 1x and double cranksets and energy meters.
These now look (and functionally are) far more like Crimson-level chainsets, simply with out the shiny highlights.
The cranksets (however not the Extensive double-chainring possibility) have gone from utilizing separate chainrings bolted to a crank-arm spider, to one-piece items like these utilized by SRAM Crimson. They use SRAM’s direct-mount interface to hook up with the cranks.
SRAM says this will increase the stiffness in addition to making for a lighter, extra sturdy unit. For the double-ring possibility, this implies it is advisable to substitute each chainrings as a unit and you’ll’t simply purchase a single chainring if you wish to change your ratios.
There are energy meter choices throughout the vary of configurations. As with Crimson, the double-sided energy meter is built-in into the chainrings for the double-chainring non-Extensive possibility. This implies if it is advisable to substitute the chainrings on an influence meter chainset, it is advisable to substitute the ability meter as nicely.
As with the Crimson energy meter, SRAM will supply a 50 per cent trade-in deal on a brand new energy meter with the identical ratios.
There’s additionally the choice to purchase a left-side crank arm, single-sided energy meter that’s the equal of the Rival AXS energy meter, however with the arm comprised of carbon fibre and matching the remainder of the Power AXS groupset.
Aside from the non-Extensive double-chainset energy meter, which measures separate left- and right-side energy, all SRAM’s different Power-level energy meters are single-sided, measuring left-side energy solely.
SRAM Power AXS two-chainring chainset/energy meter
The usual SRAM Power AXS double chainset has carbon fibre crank arms with the brand new, high-gloss Power look and runs on a DUB backside bracket. It’s out there in 50/37t, 48/35t and 46/33t choices and is upgradeable to an influence meter. Crank lengths run from 165mm to 177.5mm.
You should buy the chainset with a double-sided energy meter ready-fitted, or you too can purchase the ability meter as a separate add-on to a non-instrumented chainset. Each have a claimed accuracy of +/- 1.5 per cent.
- Energy meter worth (with out BB): £772 / $800 / €856
- Non-power meter worth (with out BB): £295 / $275 / €330
SRAM Power AXS Extensive two-chainring chainset/energy meter
The Extensive possibility hasn’t modified from the previous-generation Power Extensive, apart from its graphics. As beforehand, it strikes the chainline 2.5mm outboard from the usual chainset to supply higher tyre clearance and affords a 43/30t chainring mixture geared toward gravel riders.
The SRAM Power AXS Extensive chainset makes use of a separate crank spider and chainrings, somewhat than the built-in unit of the usual double chainset. There’s a single-sided energy meter possibility that SRAM says provides lower than 40g of additional weight.
- Energy meter worth (with out BB): £565 / $585 / €632
- Non-power meter worth (with out BB): £295 / $275 / €330
SRAM Power 1 AXS single-chainring chainset/energy meter
Just like the double-chainring possibility, the (normal spacing) Power 1 AXS chainset is offered with or and not using a energy meter and makes use of a direct-mount, spiderless chainring.
It’s out there with a 38t, 40t, 42t, 44t, 46t, 48t or 50t chainring. The 48t and 50t choices are aero profile. Not like the double-chainring energy meter, the instrumented model measures left-side energy solely.
- Energy meter worth (with out BB): £565 / $585 / €632
- Non-power meter worth (with out BB): £295 / $275 / €330
SRAM Power 1 AXS Extensive single-chainring chainset/energy meter
Lastly, the SRAM Power 1 AXS Extensive chainset, just like the double-chainring possibility, shifts the chainline to the fitting. It’s suitable with 135mm, 142mm or Increase rear-axle spacing and with street or MTB backside brackets. The facility meter possibility is single-sided and measures left-side energy solely. Chainring sizes out there are 38t, 40t, 42t, 44t and 46t.
- Energy meter worth (with out BB): £565 / $585 / €632
- Non-power meter worth (with out BB): £295 / $275 / €330
SRAM Power AXS HRD shifters
SRAM has scaled down the Power AXS shifters, with the brand new era getting a extra compact physique and a profile with ribbed hoods for grip. SRAM says this makes them simpler to make use of for a wider vary of hand sizes. The attain will also be adjusted, though the chunk level adjustment for the brakes current within the earlier era of levers has been eliminated.
The brand new design is akin to Rival AXS, however with a carbon brake lever, somewhat than Rival’s alloy model.
The shift paddle has been redesigned to make it simpler to make use of, with much less danger of pinching fingers, and the lever has the brand new Power graphics. It’s powered by a single CR2032 coin cell per shifter, which SRAM says will give round two years of shifting.
As with Rival AXS, SRAM has additionally diminished the vary of extras the levers can work with, so you’ll be able to’t use wired Blips satellite tv for pc shifters, solely the wi-fi model, with as much as three units linkable to the derailleurs.
The brake caliper and hose, however not the rotor, are included with the shift/brake lever meeting. SRAM revised its building technique for the new-generation calipers through a rolling change in early 2020. In any other case, the design hasn’t modified.
These are actually made in two components, somewhat than a single piece, which SRAM says permits extra correct machining of the piston bores. It says this in flip results in higher piston retraction after extended braking and that it ought to result in much less brake rub.
- Worth (every): £228 / $350 / €255
SRAM Power AXS rear derailleur
Except for its new graphics, the rear derailleur is similar because the earlier era, with a built-in Orbit fluid damper that SRAM says ensures chain retention and quieter working. It’s suitable with single and double chainrings, and with cassettes with a largest sprocket between 28 and 36 tooth.
As with the older Power rear derailleur, it’s the brains of the outfit, with buttons to allow you to entry trim adjustment and configure the groupset from the AXS cellphone app.
- Worth (w/o battery): £302 / $377 / €360
SRAM Power XPLR AXS rear derailleur
The XPLR rear derailleur additionally carries over the performance of its predecessor, enabling you to run both a 10-36t or 10-44t cassette with a single-ring chainset.
- Worth (w/o battery): £306 / $369 / €343
SRAM Power AXS entrance derailleur
Together with its redesigned double-ring chainset, SRAM has additionally made refined modifications to the profile of the entrance derailleur cage. This nonetheless has the yaw design which means, not like Shimano Di2 entrance derailleurs, the derailleur doesn’t must trim its place as you shift up and down the cassette.
The brand new cage design also needs to scale back chain rub and make for quieter shifting, SRAM says.
- Worth (w/o battery): £198 / $243 / €222
SRAM Power AXS Extensive entrance derailleur
Riders working the Extensive double chainset will want a Extensive entrance derailleur to match the broader chainline. The Extensive entrance derailleur allows elevated tyre clearance and is designed to work with the Extensive chainset’s 43/30t chainrings.
- Worth (w/o battery): £198 / $243 / €222
New 4 battery charger
The usual SRAM AXS battery charger takes a single battery solely, however for the power-hungry, there’s a brand new four-slot possibility with a USB-C connector that recharges 4 batteries in 60 minutes, the identical time as for one battery on the present single battery charger. It’s even quicker if you happen to don’t use all 4 slots, and there’s a quick cost choice to get batteries as much as 75 per cent capability.
- Worth: £130 / $120 / €145
SRAM Power AXS groupset weights
Listed below are the weights for every element and the entire groupset, primarily based on a double chainset with normal spacing <<and an influence meter>>, a <<t>> cassette and a pair of <<Paceline>><<mm>> rotors.
- Rear derailleur (incl battery): 328g
- Entrance derailleur (incl battery): 182g
- Crankset: 746g
- Shifters (pair): 468g
- Cassette: 273g
- Chain: 241g
- Brake rotors (pair): 320g
- Whole: 2.7kg
SRAM Power AXS groupset pricing data
With so many potential configurations, there’s a broad vary of costs. For a street bike with a double chainset and no energy meter, listed below are the element costs and complete price for the brand new Power AXS groupset.
We reckon the whole worth of the parts within the groupset is £1,728 within the UK, $2,176 within the US and €1,952 in Europe. That’s akin to the total steered retail worth of Shimano 105 Di2 12-speed and considerably undercuts the value of Shimano Ultegra R8170 12-speed.
Add in an influence meter and the sum of the element costs rises to £2,205 / $2,701 / €2,478.
SRAM quotes a double-chainring groupset worth of £1,751 / $2,115 / €1,980 for the entire groupset and not using a energy meter and £2,228 / $2,640 / €2,515 with an influence meter, excluding the underside bracket.
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