SRAM Goes Full Gravel with RED XPLR 13 Velocity Groupset
After SRAM chummed the water with some not-so-secret spy pictures of the unreleased 13-speed SRAM RED XPLR groupset, plenty of the gravel world sat prepared, cash in hand. Correctly, it’s lastly out, with particulars and some bonus merchandise that will make your head spin — so let’s get to it!
What’s SRAM RED XPLR?
The latest launch follows the model new SRAM RED groupset. The updated group improves many small particulars nevertheless dramatically improves braking and lever actually really feel. SRAM decided to make this leap whereas all of the issues fell into place. The SRAM Transmission mountain bike group used the UDH to create a bombproof rear derailleur, and the current XLPR line drifted into gravel territory.
An accurate mixture of mountain and avenue from the SRAM groupset universe long-established. So why not?
Why 13 Speeds?
The first question that entails ideas with “new or further gears” is, “is that this a model new customary?” Nonetheless, the model new RED XPLR group set makes use of the equivalent XDR driver physique as a result of the 12-speed group models and the equivalent chain, so there isn’t a such factor as a brand new customary.
How? The distinctive cassette angles over the spokes and doesn’t take up any further house on the cassette physique.
New Chain? Type of—nevertheless no. That is equivalent flattop 12-speed chain you’ll uncover on the model new SRAM RED nevertheless with some extra bling.
SRAM RED XPLR Derailleur
Once you’re accustomed to the SRAM Transmission mountain bike groupset, the model new RED XPLR derailleur gained’t shock you. Nonetheless, there are some very cool gravel—and drop bar-specific additions.
What’s the “comparable”? There could also be quite a few carry over from the Transmission world along with the equivalent AXS batteries, the equivalent Magic wheel (genius), zero prohibit screws, and naturally, a UDH mount. Maintenance, arrange, and troubleshooting are precisely the equivalent as a result of the transmission line, and the equivalent goes for chain sizing using the SRAM chain measurement 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 may be utilized interchangeably.
The XPLR line is specific to the scale of the cage and some bits to loosen up the derailleur to be worthy of the SRAM RED naming convention. Your total derailleur is rebuildable, and components are all replaceable apart from the doorway, the place “RED” is engraved.
The model new design will solely work with the SRAM 10-46T XPLR 13-speed cassette and avenue Flattop chains.
SRAM XPLR Cassette
The cassette might be probably the most fantastic stand-alone piece of the SRAM RED XPLR groupset. It rings a bell in my memory of the first power-dome RED cassettes, which had been a murals and loud, haha.
The XPLR cassette, nonetheless, attracts on years of product knowledge and delivers an amazing look and sensible design. The cassette mimics the Transmission design with a block of avenue/gravel gears.
It provides a 460% fluctuate, and if paired with one of the best entrance ring, it is advisable to have the power to climb one thing. Similar to the transmission groupset, the cassette shifts the best beneath load and drive. One factor that’s typically a no-no, given the torque produced throughout the lower gears. This (like Transmission) makes the groupset an precise chance for e-bike and e-gravel riders, shifting beneath load at all times.
The gearing jumps are tight for the 4 highest gears, then skip a tooth for the next three, and get extra 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 ultimately 46T
SRAM XPLR Crankset and Powermeter
Not like Shimano, SRAM went all-in with power and redesigned chainrings for his or her RED XPLR crankset. Similar to the transmission mountain bike crankset, the crankset makes use of a thread-on chainring on the market in plenty of gravel-specific sizes (38T-46T).
For these attempting to harness the power, the model new SRAM RED XPLR crankset with power boasts twin side power seize, 200 hours of battery life with a replaceable coin cell battery, and IPX7 waterproof security. Good for these creek crossings; don’t preserve beneath water longer than half-hour.
The crankset itself is a SRAM RED design (the equivalent as the latest launch), on the market with or and never utilizing a power meter. These not power-hungry can go for the direct-mount single chainrings, on the market throughout the precise 38T-46T sizing.
SRAM RED XPLR Shifters / Brakes
Some objects, along with the shifters and brakes, are carried over from the SRAM RED launch. Certain, the shifters now go as a lot as 13 components on the cassette, nevertheless the brake lever and caliper are the equivalent.
It appears to be like as if further cross-over. What’s backward applicable? The SRAM RED XPLR AXS will work with prior generations. Moreover it’s applicable with all AXS controls, all avenue Flattop chains, and all broad 1x crank arms. Nonetheless, because of the 13-speed Full Mount rear derailleur is optimized to work with the RED XPLR XG-1391 cassette, these drivetrain components shouldn’t backward applicable.
I wanted to the contact on the shifter and brake setup quickly. The design is bigger than refined; it’s a full overhaul. The lever pull has an ease I’ve certainly not felt in SRAM avenue brakes. The caliper physique appears to be further like a CNC machined one-off than a stable or solid manufacturing piece.
I didn’t cowl the RED avenue launch, so this was new to me as soon as I expert it with the RED XLPR gear – this was a extreme brake effectivity change.
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 Power (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 Power: 514g
- SRAM RED Brake/Shift Lever (with hose and caliper): 370g
First Impressions: SRAM RED XPLR Consider
I was pumped when SRAM let the cat out of the bag. They’d been making a gravel-specific groupset. I knew the model new groupset had larger braking effectivity, they usually’re dedicated to the 1x drive apply; it might very effectively be implausible.
Spyshots revealed a fantastic combination of the Transmission mountain bike design and the model new iteration of RED… nevertheless with an extra gear. After learning the model new groupset required no new customary or chain, I was extra curious.
Arrange and Assemble
When the groupset arrived, I adopted the SRAM instructions to the “T” and was pleasantly surprised to have an uneventful time with the assembly. Most evaluation bikes come completely assembled, and we dial them in, nevertheless not typically do I assemble a physique from the underside up, significantly with new gear. Nevertheless the instructions had been spot on, the brakes had been very easy to rearrange/bleed, and the chain sizing was foolproof. I used the model new Park System 13 spd chain gadget, and though the chain continues to be a “12-speed” design, it labored excellently.
The RED XPLR makes use of the equivalent setup as Transmission MTB; the setup cog is highlighted with an orange band (the grey ones are to deaden the sound of the cassette). You dimension the chain with the rear derailleur in setup mode (a click on on between completely open and engaged to journey). Pull the physique tight so the chain is engaged, and tighten the UDH fixing bolt to torque, allowing the two strains on the hanger to fulfill up.
Expertise Ready
After the arrange, I was eager to get on the road, so I slapped on some wheels (the Zipp 303 XPLR wheels had been nonetheless throughout the mail). The very very first thing I noticed was the braking effectivity. I’ve ridden the sooner RED groupset for a while. Every iteration will get barely larger from the first RED hydro brake, nevertheless not “wow” larger.
This mannequin is WOW larger and fully matches the kind of gravel utilizing. One-finger braking is straightforward, and the lever feels straightforward 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 merely programable and tactile.
Shifting Velocity
The shifting is quicker than the Transmission MTB (or it feels which means) and very easy. The cassette jumps, and a 40T entrance ring seem spot-on for my utilizing sort. The higher end 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 further necessary until you attain the “save me” 46T cog.
Similar to the Transmission MTB groupsets, the RED XPLR group shifts exceptionally properly beneath load. You’ll be capable to shift quickly when chugging alongside on chunky gravel, spinning a sluggish cadence. The equivalent goes for climbing and shifting to the subsequent gear for an all-out assault. It lacks that “ca-chunk” shifting sound and feels further like a barely elevated pressure on the pedals.
Chain Retention
Chain retention is properly managed, and I didn’t drop a collection all through my test durations—take into account me, I tried. The marginally smaller cage of the RED XPLR derailleur holds the chain correctly with out affecting the feel whereas pedaling. I attribute this to the chain sizing gadget as properly.
The crankset is a pleasing combination of avenue and MTB. The spin-on chainring could also be very dialed and one factor I most popular from the Transmission XX SL cranksets. It does require a selected gadget to remove the ring (above), and it’s on the market individually must you’re like me and like to swap rings at all times like a monitor racer.
So Far, So Good
I’m reserving my full concepts for an prolonged (months) evaluation interval, nevertheless I’m very impressed thus far. Certain, it’s a RED groupset, so it’s pricy, nevertheless the effectivity is implausible, and the progress should (hopefully) hit the FORCE and APEX groups. Nonetheless, the cassette shall be highly effective to get down in worth from $600 to 1 factor further palatable to most people.
As of correct now, I’m very pleased with the SRAM RED XPLR groupset. The effectivity in shifting, braking, and whole ease of use is top-notch. Seek for a full evaluation as we put the RED XPLR group by way of the paces and even some cyclocross racing early throughout the fall.
