SRAM Force AXS is ALMOST the Best Groupset of 2023…

SRAM has launched brand new Force AXS groupset and I’ve been riding it in Belgium to put it through its paces. On first impressions it doesn’t look massively different to the Force that launched in 2019 on the heels of Red, SRAM’s range-topping groupset. But there are a few interesting changes and improvements

The biggest one are the smaller hoods from Rival have trickled up to Force but with carbon fiber levers. They are much more ergonomic and nicer to use - not quite on a par with Shimano’s new 12 speed Di2, but a good move.

And then there’s a brand new crankset which is a trickle down from Red, and this is a controversial move. The two chainrings are made as one piece with the power meter - so you can’t remove or change the rings for wear or ratio preference

SRAM cites improved shifting performance and lower weight as a benefit outweighing the obvious negative. It’s available with or without a power meter, but the non power version can be upgraded at a later date. It’s a Quarq power meter, 1.5% accuracy, left and right leg power balance,

And lastly they’ve updated the appearance aiming to make it more premium and high-end. Get this, they call this pearlescent finish unicorn grey!

Content
00:00 Intro
00:27 No new RED or APEX?
00:54 New hoods
1:31 New Finish
2:15 One-piece cranks
3:29 New rear mech
3:51 What hasn’t changed
4:20 Price
5:03 First Ride Impressions
10:09 Some thoughts… Best Groupset in 2023?

Supported by Saddleback

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[GroomsJk]

You have the best cycling vids on YouTube. I really appreciate your analysis and videography. Brilliant!

[BoomsRiddico]

Congrats on the 3 year new job Anniversary David!

[TheConcreteblock]

Would love to see a service cost comparison between the different levels of sram and the offerings from shimano, or more specifically how many service intervals will it take for the sram groupset to catch up to the cost of the equivalent shimano one with the added cost of the integrated chainrings, XDR cassettes, and smaller wear tolerances with the flat top chains

[zimboy]

congrats on 3 - enjoyed many of your videos - new force looks competitive - I have Shimano di2 on my bikes last Sram was Red mechanical - time to try Sram electronic

[lazarosnikolaidis]

Very enjoyable & thorough review of the new Force. I learned a lot. Testing such groupset on one of the toughest terrain on Earth, makes this presentation even valuable.
Thank you so much David. I personally think "if someone wants to know everything on cycling hardware, you have to watch David & Ben, you won't need something else".
Ah! And wish you success to your jobs & projects!

[jonathan]

If you liked the old Force you’ll like the new Force because it’s functionally identical to the old Force.

[AndyPass]

I'm running the old SRAM Force and love it. The little noise it makes in sequential shifting when moving from the big to granny gear and vice versa never gets old!

[NewPolishScientist]

Am I hearing this correctly? If you worn your chainrings you have to replace whole crankset with power meter?!

[tony]

I like everything but the front chain ring should still have opinion to change ring if one wears out. Also if force is geared towards common consumer one and done front ring kinda Pushes out that consumer am I wrong?

[sangchuw]

so glad as force etap axs user. there is nothing changed in shifting performance. updating of few hardwares

[CamiScr]

I appreciate your efforts! 🙏 I’ve got a question: 🤨 I found these words 😅. (behave today finger ski upon boy assault summer exhaust beauty stereo over). Not sure how to use them, would appreciate help. 🙏

[alvin]

3 years have gone quick! 👏😁
I will definitely be avoiding it, all being one piece. How much weight have they saved doing it that way?

[ayowser]

There's no expander plug support when you lower the stem without cutting the steer tube. The emonda uses a proprietary plug and does not offer an extended version. Ask me how I know.

[mikepreamp]

Thanks for your review! How wide were your tires?

[KenSmith-bvsi]

I have Sram Force it's awesome but, I've always like the SRAM Red Chain ring. So I wonder how much is a new Force crank set cost, the same as the original? Seriously I'm digging that black chain ring.

[davewilliams]

A groupset for the masses. Nice review David!

[luukrutten]

I am sure 105di2 can be had for cheaper than force in the real world separate groupset market. I just bought it and actually the best price for the old force ( which was heavily discounted! was still about 200 euros more than 105di2 ). Rival definitely undercuts 105 a little. So Rival, 105, Force, Ultegra, Red, Dura ace is about the order in terms of pricing.

But seriously integrated powermeter in chainrings is really a no go. Even if you dont wear it out fast. I would wear it out in about 4-5 years of riding. At some point in the future nobody wants to spend that amount of cash on what is then an older bike. And who knows if you can still get those powermeters 10 years from now.... nah. What is wrong110x5 bcd sram?
And take into account chainings sometimes get damaged or have a tooth break off.

For RED I can understand, since its a no compromise racing performance groupset. For force not so much.

[nemeanf]

The pogo connection pins on the mechs are junk. The spring on mine broke unexpectedly and had to use a piece of aluminium foil to bridge the gap between the battery and the connector pin to complete the circuit. Needs improvement.

[lovewheels]

The big question is have they changed from Dot 4 to mineral oil yet?

[taavinen]

Great review Dave.
Big Congrats on the 3 year anniversary!
I’m planning to swap over to road disc finally and plan to also swap from Shimano over to SRAM.
For me I’m happy there has not been any radial changes to the group set update. If it works and is reliable don’t mess with it.

I already have garmin Rally 200 pedals which have been great so don’t need a power meter. However similar to many others in the comments I definitely wouldn’t buy this new power meter chain ring set up.