What's your gravel bike ride like? Are you mostly on the road? Or is your gravel bike hitting the same trails as your MTB friends? Regardless of what you ride, the XPLR collection from SRAM, RockShox, and Zipp are here to make gravel what you want it to be.
We expect to starting seeing the XPLR collection in our doors in September, with more coming in through the rest of 2021. Contact us for availability for your next custom build with Contender Bicycles.
The XPLR line of components is about expanding your horizons. It goes way beyond the drivetrain, which includes Rival, Force, and SRAM RED drivetrains. It includes wheels - courtesy of the Zipp 101 XPLR - that bring mountain bike technology to the gravel scene. It includes bars, wireless dropper seatposts, and tires. It even includes a new fork - the new RockShox Rudy XPLR. Almost everything integrates the SRAM AXS wireless protocol, giving unparalleled control to your drivetrain and dropper post.
The new SRAM XPLR drivetrain is designed with drop bar dirt riders in mind. The 10-44t cassettes available are SRAM's sweet spot in 1x gearing between their 10-36t and the 10-52t Eagle cassette designed with mountain bikes in mind. This cassette, in conjunction wit the new XPLR derailleurs, give you the gearing you need for steep gravel climbs with smaller jumps in gearing for fast road riding.
Do you need a suspension fork on your gravel bike? You might if you're riding lots of singletrack or your gravel is really just medium-sized rocks. The Rudy XPLR features just enough suspension (30-40mm) to keep you in control when you need it.
Then there's there are the more obvious benefits of a suspension fork. RocksShox says the Rudy will save your body from taking a beating, allowing you to ride faster, for longer, and be less fatigued along the way.
Ride with increased grip, comfort, and compliance with Zipp's first gravel wheelset. The Zipp 101 XPLR wheels bring MTB technology that allows the rim to conform to the surface in a way that reduces rider fatigue. Called their "ankle compliance", it provides a way for the rim to better stay parallel to the ground without sacrificing stiffness or cornering ability.
With options for 650b or 700c wheels, you can ride your way with Zipp XPLR.
One of the most exciting pieces of the XPLR lineup is the RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper post. Not only does it fit any bike with a 27.2mm seatpost, but when even slightly lowered it acts almost like a suspension seatpost, offering seated control and comfort wherever you ride.
The Zipp XPLR handlebars for gravel bikes aren't new, but they are celebrated nonetheless. Few other gravel handlebars are as well-considered; there is a slight flare that allows for greater control over rough terrain while still keeping brake levers in line. Add the ergonomic top, low weight, and Di2-cable drilling, and these bars mean business.
