Just Released: New SRAM Force Brings Red-Level Performance to the Masses

Groupset aficionados, rejoice: on the heels of a major release from Shimano (see our recent Journal on the new XTR Di2 here), the folks at SRAM are out with a significant drop of their own, including comprehensive updates for Force and Rival AXS, for both road and gravel. 

We get into all the details below–the ins, the outs, the what have yous–but if brevity is more your jam, here’s your TL;DR: trickle down technology from SRAM Red, which dropped in May 2024, has firmly made its way to Force and Rival, but with a much more modest price point. 

In other words, SRAM is bringing top tier performance to the masses, and with a pretty tight turnaround since the release of RED, to their credit. Specifically, by broadly applying and thoughtfully integrating Red innovations to Force and Rival (road and gravel), SRAM is able to deliver tangible performance gains in the areas of braking, ergonomics, shifting, lighter weight, and integrated power meters, among others. 

For the purposes of this post, we’ll be focusing exclusively on SRAM Force (road) and SRAM Force XPLR (gravel). But rest assured, Rival is getting a major overhaul as well, with quite a bit to get excited about. And with Rival coming stock on many mid-market bikes, options will abound. 

Road Refresh: New SRAM Force (2 x 12)

Starting on the road side of the house, the updates below represent the most substantial, noteworthy aspects of the new Force–and what the Contender team is most excited to get out and ride: 

• Brake Levers and Hoods: tried and true cycling wisdom suggests that a rider only has three contact points with the bike–cockpit, saddle, pedals–and so getting those right is of the utmost importance. With this in mind, perhaps our favorite feature of the new Force is the updated hoods and brake levers. Drawing from rider feedback and directly from Red, the hoods and brake levers are now more natural, ergonomic, and effortless. Just how effortless? Per SRAM, it’s 80% less effort braking from the hoods and 33% less effort from the drops. But in our view, the single finger braking is what most riders will notice and appreciate, especially when ripping down a steep descent, when focused, distraction-free riding is paramount. 

• Bonus Button: while we’re on the topic of cockpits, we’re also stoked to see Red’s bonus button trickle down to Force. For the uninitiated, a bonus button sits inside the hood, near one’s thumb, and with Force AXS, enables more effortless–there’s that at word again–adjustments on the fly, such as triggering a gear shift, flipping through screens on a Hammerhead Karoo or Wahoo bike computer, or controlling smart lights or dropper posts (if AXS-compatible). 

• Crankset & Integrated Power Meter: carbon crankarms–with 46/33, 48/35, or 50/37T–deliver both lighter weight and increased optionality. Meanwhile, we love the option to upgrade to an integrated power meter, with two different offerings from SRAM. The Force AXS Power Meter (spindle, spider) fully integrates into any chainring configuration (via SRAM’s Quark technology for the spider), offering highly accurate power readings (within +/-1.5%), and measures L/R balance, with multiple crank length and chainring combinations. Meanwhile, the Force 1 AXS Power Meter (spider) offers the same features and benefits, but in a more aero design, and with fantastic aesthetics (see description in the recent ride review of all the new Cervelo Aspero 5, which featured the new SRAM Force). 

• Front Derailleur: has gone through a complete overhaul, and now features faster, more accurate shifts over X-range chainrings. Two major refinements are worth noting here: first, SRAM narrowed the cage to initiate shifts faster. Second, the front derailleur autotrims, moving during rear shifts to stay quiet, while also remaining ready for a front shift. 
  

• Rear Derailleur: is now lighter and faster, covering everything from tight 10-28T cassettes to wide-range 10-36T setups, and is compatible with 1x or 2x drivetrains. 

• Odds & Ends: a new 12-speed X‑Range cassette (10‑28T to 10‑36T) now features closer, easier jumps between gears. And following the success of its rainbow chain, SRAM is offering a purple chain as well, now available for Force. For all the Prince lovers out there, it’s time to make it (purple) rain. 

Gravel Gains: New SRAM Force XPLR (1 x 13)

Pivoting over to gravel, the first thing to note is that the majority of SRAM’s innovations to Force also apply to Force XPLR, including the more ergonomic hoods, more effortless (one finger) braking, and the option to tack on an integrated power meter. But beyond those, what is most meaningful to a gravel rider, where reliability and rugged reliability take on outsized importance? Here’s our take: 

• 13-Speed Cassette: a major win for gravel riders, SRAM is expanding to 13 speeds with this release, providing more backpocket relief for getting up the steepest, most challenging grades. Available in a 10-46T setup, it offers 460% range, tighter gear jumps, and more consistent cadence and shifting. 

• Rear Derailleur: borrowing from its successful mountain bike technology, SRAM is now featuring a UDH, full mount, hanger‑less derailleur, able to withstand even the most rugged of trails. Again, it’s Red quality at Force pricing. Available as a 1x only and for 10‑46T 13‑speed cassettes, per SRAM the rear derailleur also helps prevent debris buildup–especially handy on those muddy, messy days. 

• Bonus Button: building on our summary above, just a quick callout that a bonus button is even more valuable on a gravel rig–especially when charging down rocky, loose, or unpredictable terrain, at speeds well above 30 mph. 

Digital Dive: Integration With Hammerhead Karoo

Did you know…that among the many brands under the SRAM umbrella, the company also offers Hammerhead (Karoo) cycling computers? 

If not vibing with your Garmin or Wahoo–still the predominant players in the space–and if effortless pairing with your SRAM groupset and AXS-enabled tech is a priority, SRAM’s Hammerhead Karoo is a great option. Among its many features, the Karoo pairs automatically with AXS, displays real-time data on gearing and component battery levels, provides alerts on low battery levels, shows visual data on shifts, and supports custom configuration of one’s bonus button. For fans of Apple’s closed loop concept, where hardware and software from the same brand ensure more seamless operation, a SRAM cycling computer could be a great option. 

Fun fact: if upgrading to the full SRAM Force groupset, a Hammerhead Karoo is included. 

Learn More

Interested in learning more about the new SRAM groupsets for Force and Rival, for road or gravel? Feel free to drop by the shop, send us a message, or give us a call at (801) 364-0344.