It was the question on many people's minds after SRAM launched its updated Red AXS groupset: How long until we see the updates from that US$4,000 groupset trickle down to SRAM's more affordable component lines? The answer, it turns out, was about a year. SRAM has just pulled the covers off the new Rival AXS E1 and the Force AXS E1, in both road 2x and gravel 1x configurations. And while neither of these reinvents the drivetrain, they bring some of the nicer features of SRAM's flagship drivetrain to a far more attainable price point.
This is especially true for the Rival AXS 2x12, which is now the cheapest groupset in SRAM's road lineup. But what's changed then? Well, there is still no 2x13-speed or switch to mineral oil brake fluid on offer here. Instead, the new Rival AXS focuses on "refining the rider experience," as SRAM likes to say, inheriting the ergonomic and braking updates that made the current generation Red AXS a crowd-pleaser.
I've spent the last month and a bit riding the new Rival AXS E1 road groupset, and the following is a full breakdown of what's new and who I think this new groupset is for. Much of the focus here is on the 2x12 road groupset (with some details on Force AXS), as that's what I've been testing over the last few weeks. But the updates extend to the gravel- and 1x-specific XPLR drivetrains too, and Escape Collective's Dave Rome has spent time with the SRAM Force XPLR E1 to give you the lowdown on that 1x-specific groupset.
Good stuff: Massively improved braking power and feel; new shifter ergonomics are a huge comfort upgrade (for most); simple wireless setup; retains the reliable AXS wireless system, great value for the features. Lighter weight than previous generations. Competitive value.
Bad stuff: Shifting speed isn't different, only one-sided power meter, no bonus buttons on the shifters. And as with Red, the new shifter design increases your reach.
The big updates
At a glance, the Rival E1 could be summarised by simply saying that it's Red E1, trickled down. But that assumes you paid close attention to the details of the pro-level groupset that retails for some US$4,000. If you didn't, my colleague Dave Rome did an exhaustive review of the SRAM Red AXS 2x at the time of its launch last year, and it's worth a read to understand the thinking behind the upgrades in more detail.
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