SRAM Rival eTap AXS Review: It's affordable but is it any good?

My long-term review of SRAM's new Rival eTap AXS, which is currently the most affordable electronic groupset on the market. But is it any good? Iv'e dived into all the key aspects you need to know about, from performance, ergonomics, gear ratios, reliability and much more

Sponsored by Saddleback

Follow me:

Content
00:00 Electronic future
1:08 Rival Main Features
2:09 Intuitive shifting
2:36 Ergonomics - new hoods
3:16 Gear shift performance
3:47 12 speed gear ratios
4:55 Customisation - 1x vs 2x
5:32 Disc brakes only
6:22 App customisation
9:03 Is it too heavy?
10:56 Likes and Dislikes
12:40 Conclusion

[GroomsJk]

Brilliant analysis. Recently I bought a Canyon with the Rival group set and immediately started second guessing my decision not to upgrade to the Force for 1000USD more. But I am an amateur triathlete, amateur road cyclist coming from a mechanical mountain bike. In short I could give care less about weight. I just want to finish the races I enter and have gear that is fit for use. I am glad I stayed with the Rival etap. So far it has performed amazingly and your assessment even further affirms my decision.

[bodieh]

Never thought the mech-using-shimano-fanboy in me could ever sit through a sram electronic groupset review without having some sort of negative reaction. Well done sir, great review!

[gerlachsieders]

David! I like your product reviews, they are fine, no worries. But dude, take us with you on your Secan-biking adventures! Like your rides in the Cotswolds or the King Afred's Way, these are your best video's! To see your lovely english countryside, the fields, the hills, the blue skies, being outdoors and the sense of thrill and adventure! Remember what Bilbo used to sing, The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began.... Kind regards from the Netherlands, Gerlach.

[jameswillett]

Been waiting for your review on the rival, thanks David 👌

[nochancecw]

Not enough people comment on hood size. I like that. I wish each group set had small and large hood covers, so it could change for people's hand sizes.

[RYTHMICRIOT]

I have the original Red eTap. I purchased the kit and installed it all myself. I've been using it about 2yrs now. I absolutely love the kit. I also prefer the SRAM shifting logic where the left is downshift and the right is upshift, and you don't have the awfully small buttons like Di2, particularly when wearing gloves when riding in colder weather. I also love the way my Wahoo Element displays what cog I'm in both front and rear. I don't care about shifting speed. I'm not a professional rider. I ride for my personal enjoyment.

[johngardner]

Another super well-produced video. Thanks for posting! The manufacturers should pay you handsomely.

[JibbaJabber]

Yet again, a no nonsense, incisive and honest review. Well done Dave:)

Been waiting a while to see elegant gear usage analysis - helps tweaks cogs to stay fresh and efficient!!

[Oilyhands]

Sincere snd honest review, your at the top of the game David .

[dperreno]

I just bought a new bike (Trek Emonda) with SRAM Force eTap and I really like it. The Force groupset works the same as the Rival and Red sets, and I pretty much agree with all of your points. I did experiment with the sequential shifting and ended up disabling that, but I do use the shift compensation (1 gear). Also, I do like that I can see what gear I'm in on my Wahoo computer. Since I still have SRAM Force 11-speed mechanical groupsets on my other bikes, I still miss-shift occasionally, but I'll blame that on the operator. :-)

Although my new bike is actually heavier than my prior bike due to all the new tech (disc brakes, batteries, etc.), it's also faster since it is more aero, so I don't really notice the added weight. And, like most of us, it's the weight around my middle that is actually holding me back!

[DocBlasto]

Given that the majority (really the vast majority) of the weight penalty is in the crankset, I think it's the most sensible part to upgrade. Buy the Rival AXS group, but spend the extra $150 on a Force crank and it'll be almost as light as the Force group for about $500 less.

[maxlloyd]

Just moved over to a Force Etap groupset on a Cervelo Caledonia from a more traditional set up.
Love the shifting and have even gone 1 x.
The Sram app has had a few glitches though!
Ordered up some Rival Etap for my Fairlight Secan build for next year.
Will be using a Force crankset and a Force cassette on that to keep the weight in check!
Great review as always David!
👍

[WMax-rmue]

Love this color, love this tcr, and love your channel as always. Thanks

[coramdeo]

I just bought a Trek Domane equipped with SRAM Rival. I was confident to buy the bike kitted with this groupset based on your review. Couldn't be happier. Thanks David - keep up the good videos!

[verdeboyo]

Hey, superb review. Ive already sub'd but now clicked notify me. Im about to purchase a 2023 Bianchi Oltra XR3 with this groupset fitted and just wanted to see a good review to help me make my mind up. It's made up! Im ordering one thanks to you. It'll sit next to my 2010 Bianchi C2C Super Record/Record with rim brakes and cables. I never thought I'd take the leap until now! Thank you so much for helping me make my mind up

[yorksdave]

Looking at getting a new bike and looking at SRAM AXS. Glad I found this review. Really helpful. Cheers!

[gjc]

Fully agree with your complete review about the Rival eTap AXS groupset. Have it equipped on 2 bikes now, and 100% same perception. The only things I have upgraded are the disc rotors & cassette (Force now). Keep up the good work!

[stevenfreeman]

For me the gearing benefits far outweigh the weight penalty any day of the week!. Thanks for the video Dave.

[woolfel]

thanks for the nice review of rival etap axs. I just bought a orbea orca with rival etap.

[marcuswong]

This groupset looks amazing. This is what the Force set should looked like. The Force looked very cheap and plastic, while the Rival looks slick and higher end with its black. The only issue with Sram that many reviewers and shops wont tell you is that their front derailleur are prone to problems, and their brake calipers have issues. My friends who all had SRAM all gave up eventually and stripped the groupset for a shimano instead. These are known problems since their 11spd etap hydraulic days which SRAM havent really gotten it addressed. And now Shimano has gone semi-wireless for ease of installation, SRAM will have a big competition now. Maybe in future production, SRAM will fix the known issues.

On a side note, if branding isn't an issue the main weight difference between RED and Rival are in the cassette and the crankset. To save massive money one can get the Rival shifters/derailleurs and use SRAM RED cranksets.