One of the two largest component makers, SRAM makes a huge range of parts for road bikes and gravel bikes. Component brands organise their ranges into groupsets at different price points.
The term groupset covers all the bits on a bike related to gears and brakes. These include the drivetrain (derailleurs, chain, cassette, crankset, bottom bracket), combined shift and brake levers, and the brakes themselves. Generally, all of these parts on a bike will come from a single groupset, although there’s usually some scope to mix and match components to suit a particular bike build or budget.
There’s a hierarchy of groupsets with affordable, basic components at the bottom, and expensive ultra-light, high-performance components at the top. At the premium end of SRAM’s range, you’ll find the SRAM Red AXS groupset. Featuring a 12-speed cassette and wireless electronic shifting, it’s what you see in use at races like the Tour de France. There’s also 1×13-speed SRAM Red XPLR AXS, designed for gravel riders.
By comparison, at the entry-level you’ll find the 1×11-speed Apex, which allows only for mechanical gear changes.
Related questions you can explore with Ask Cyclist, our new AI search engine.
What’s the difference between groupsets?
Higher-end groupsets will tend to have more gears, offer lower weight and potentially provide you with more features. There may be additional components only available in premium groupsets, including larger chainrings, power meters and time-trial shifters and brake levers. At the same time, groupsets within a hierarchy often share technology, so critical areas like braking power may be standardised across multiple tiers.
Below you’ll find a brief explanation of each of SRAM’s major road and gravel bike groupsets, along with a list of their key features and variants. We’ve included retail pricing for the sake of completeness, but treat these as a guide only – it often has little bearing on how much groupsets really cost.
A note on 'AXS' and 'XPLR'
The designation AXS denotes SRAM's wireless electronic shifting technology (the first generation of wireless groupsets were simply 'eTap'). Although SRAM has dropped the eTap part of the name in its latest AXS groupsets, it still uses the eTap part in some names for now.
The XPLR tag distinguishes versions of SRAM's groupsets specifically adapted for gravel riding. Using the same brakes and shifters, these can accommodate incredibly wide range cassettes with spreads of up to 10-46t for off-road use and employ single chainring cranksets.
SRAM wireless road components can also be combined with Eagle AXS mountain bike components in what SRAM calls a 'mullet' configuration. This opens up the possibility of running a mountain bike rear derailleur and a huge 10-50t or 10-52t cassette with road levers and cranksets.
SRAM groupsets
SRAM AXS wireless groupsets
- SRAM Red AXS
- SRAM Force AXS
- SRAM Rival AXS
- SRAM Apex AXS
SRAM mechanical groupsets
- SRAM Apex 12-speed
- SRAM Force 1
- SRAM Rival 1
- SRAM Apex 1
SRAM road and gravel groupsets compared
SRAM Red AXS
£1,219.99 (RRP £2,423) | View offer
Cyclist's verdict: Other groupsets might now boast wireless electronic shifting and 12-sprockets, but this supremely smooth option still manages a few fresh tricks.
Already long-since wireless and electronic, SRAM's Red AXS groupset features a tiny 10-tooth sprocket on the cassette rather than the more common 11-tooth, allowing for correspondingly smaller chainrings. This means non-traditional ratios – SRAM calls its system X-Range – but there are choices to cover all tastes and it works really well.
Where road groupsets previously came typically with 53/39, 52/36 and 50/34 chainring options, SRAM's X-Range equivalents are 50/37, 48/35 and 46/33.
Unlike electronic Shimano groupsets, rather than connect its electronic derailleurs to a separate central battery using wires, SRAM simply clips a battery to the back of each unit. The derailleurs communicate wirelessly with the shifters, and the whole arrangement makes for very easy set-up and great aesthetics.
Next, gearing. Fitting within the same space as a standard cassette, Red's 12-speed cassette needs a SRAM-specific XDR freehub. However, on the plus side, this allows the 12-speed cassette to start with that tiny 10t cog. The result: a vast potential spread of gears but with relatively small jumps.
Shifting is smoother than previous versions despite the diminished size of the sprockets and chainrings. At the same time, chain security is enhanced via the addition of a hydraulic damper to the rear derailleur. Reducing chain bounce over bumpy ground, front shifting feels improved too, with the 2024 update featuring a new derailleur cage design.
Less headline-grabbing details are also finessed. These include the ability to adjust the shifters for reach. Great for riders with small hands, ergonomics have also been improved with a new lever design which offers more brake leverage for a lighter touch. There's also now a 'Bonus Button' on the hoods, which can be programmed to operate a cycling computer.
Red's styling is also a big draw, with the flat-top chain being perhaps the most striking element of the whole ensemble. The double chainrings are machined as one piece, rather than having separate rings on a spider. The Red cassette is machined from a single piece of steel as well and, like the chain, is optionally available in an iridescent finish.
Lastly, the AXS app is easy to use and allows the rider to set up the shifting precisely as they desire, while also checking battery status or updating firmware. You can do the same in the Hammerhead Karoo cycling computer. As a premium groupset, there's the option to add an integrated Quarq power meter to the carbon-armed crankset.
While the 2x configuration remains 12-speed, SRAM Red XPLR AXS now offers 13-speed gearing and a new Full Mount derailleur which fits directly to the bike frame, although only those with a UDH derailleur interface, without needing a derailleur hanger. It only has a 10-46t cassette available, although there are multiple choices of chainring, allowing different gear ranges.
All in, it's a very attractive package. Plus, with weight on par with its rivals, there's very little reason not to opt for SRAM's Red AXS groupset if your budget allows.
- RRP: £4,090 / $4,090 / €4,570 (2× disc brake groupset with power meter)
- Cassette: 12-speed 2x, 13-speed 1x
- Widest cassette: 10-36t 2x, 10-46 1x
- Shifting: Wireless electronic only
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
- XPLR gravel option: Yes
- Read our full SRAM Red AXS groupset review
- Read our full SRAM Red XPLR AXS groupset review
- Read more: Shimano Dura-Ace vs. SRAM Red AXS
SRAM Force AXS
£1,417.99 (RRP £1,579) | View offer
Cyclist's verdict: All the best bits of Red at a more digestible price. Splendid shifting and with multiple gearing options too.
SRAM echoes Shimano by furnishing its second-tier groupset with almost exactly the same features as its poshest option, yet at a much-reduced cost. This means you get the same wireless electronic shifting, the same 12-speed gearing range, and the same easy configuration via the AXS phone app.
Again you'll need to swap your freehub to an XDR standard one if you want to use this groupset. However, doing so means you'll be unlocking a range of ratios that includes a sub 1:1 option for effortless climbing.
Really, it's hard to pick out differences. There's the same Orbit hydraulic damper system, which aids retention of the 12-speed flat-top chain and reduces chain slap. There's also the same option to play around with a 1× drivetrain setup or to go adventuring by swapping in an XPLR gravel derailleur and cassette, although these are 12-speed rather than 13-speed and use a standard derailleur hanger rather than Red's Full Mount derailleur. There are also 1x and 2x Wide options, which move the chainline 2.5mm to the right to better accommodate wide gravel bike tyres.
Tweakers and time-triallists will also find a full range of remote shifters to dot around their handlebars should they so wish, while there's an optional Quarq power meter version of the crankset.
So, where does Force diverge? As SRAM itself says, 'generally speaking, Force uses less expensive materials and manufacturing processes. Some chainring options are available only at the Red level. However, both groups' internal technologies are the same, so performance on the bike will be indistinguishable'.
This difference in the materials used is noticeable in the crankset whose arms swap from carbon to aluminium. It's the most conspicuous of a few slight changes that add about 300g to the groupset versus its costlier sibling. However, unless you're preposterously flush, we think Force is still by far the better value option.
- RRP: £2,228 / $2,640 / €2,515 (2× disc brake groupset without BB)
- Cassette: 12-speed
- Widest cassette: 10-36t 2x, 10-44t 1x
- Shifting: Electronic only
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
- XPLR gravel option: Yes
- Read our full SRAM Force AXS groupset review
SRAM Rival AXS
£1,349 (RRP £1,351) | View offer
Cyclist's verdict: Raising the bar for mid-tier groupsets, SRAM Rival AXS has all the features you want with only marginally increased weight.
Daring in introducing new technology, the Rival AXS groupset brings AXS tech to SRAM's third-tier groupset. This sees riders benefit from trickle-down technology, including wireless shifting, a 12-speed cassette, plus app-based customisation and diagnostics. Possessing the same headline features as its two posher relatives, you'll need the same XDR driver body on your rear hub, and you're good to go.
So how does Rival manage this? Predominantly by changing the materials the groupset is created from while also ditching some of the more specialist functionality. However, while this process of slight downgrading is barely noticeable between Red and Force, by the time you hit Rival, it's more apparent.
For example, the crankset is now solid aluminium rather than the hollow metal or carbon construction seen on SRAM's upper tiers. You still get the option for a power meter, but its integration is different, and it'll measure left-side output only. Stopping your chain flapping, the rear derailleur features a clutch; yet rather than being a sophisticated fluid damper, Rival uses a more cost-effective mechanically sprung version.
As Rival is less likely to be specced on specialist bikes, you also lose out on the expansion ports for wired satellite shift controls. It's not a feature many will miss and you can still use up to three sets of wireless Blips satellite shifters.
The levers have shrunk, so they're now more likely to be more universally comfortable and you can still adjust the lever reach, although not the brakes' bite point.
Still, all the elements that provide real benefit to the rider remain present; it's just that weight is now more noticeably increased. Meaning the complete disc groupset will add around 3 kg to your bike's weight, this is nevertheless still only around a 400g increase over what you'd suffer if you opted for Force.
As with Force there are 1x XPLR and 1x and 2x Wide variants available to suit gravel riders.
- RRP: £1,268 / $1,370 / €1,411 (2× disc brake groupset without BB)
- Cassette: 12-speed
- Widest cassette: 10-36t 2x, 10-44t 1x
- Shifting: Electronic only
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
- XPLR gravel option: Yes
- Read our full SRAM Rival AXS groupset review
SRAM Apex AXS
Cyclist's verdict: Offering electronic shifting and really wide ratios at a new low price point, Apex AXS is likely to shake up the groupset market, particularly for gravel bikes.
SRAM's fourth-tier electronic wireless groupset is single-ring only. Although it's heavily targeted at gravel bikes, SRAM looks to be taking a tilt at single-ring for road bikes and urban hybrid use as well.
Apex AXS offers XPLR gearing, with a wide range 10-44t cassette, but it will also work with a narrower 10-36t cassette and there's an 11-44t option that fits on a standard 11-speed freehub rather than needing an XDR freehub body.
Plus, there's an Eagle version of Apex AXS. This offers 10-50t and 10-52t cassettes on an XDR freehub or an 11-50t option that fits an 11-speed freehub. It needs a specific Eagle chain rather than the Flattop chain used by the other AXS groupset options.
Functionally, Apex AXS has the same shifting logic as other AXS components and can also be fine-tuned with the AXS app. As with Rival AXS, some of the flashier features of the higher tier AXS groupsets have been omitted but it still does all that the majority of riders might need. There's even a single-sided power meter option, as with Rival AXS.
As you'd expect, it uses heavier materials than the higher priced groupsets, with the claimed weight for a full groupset 2,976g or 3,267g for the Eagle AXS version.
- RRP: £1262 / $1195 / €1411 (1× XPLR disc brake groupset without BB)
- Cassette: 12-speed
- Widest cassette: 10-44t (XPLR), 10-52t (Eagle)
- Shifting: Wireless electronic
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
- XPLR gravel option: Yes
- Read our full SRAM Apex 12-speed groupset explainer
- RRP £1,119 - Buy now from Certini (£899)
SRAM Apex 12-speed mechanical
Cyclist's verdict: SRAM shows that mechanical shifting still has legs with its Apex 12-speed groupset, although the small price differential to electronic Apex AXS is likely to persuade many riders to opt for the latter.
Not content with adding a new electronic tier to its groupset options, at the same time SRAM launched 12-speed mechanical Apex. As with Apex AXS, it's a single ring-only groupset and it also has the same XPLR and Eagle configurations available. Apex XPLR mechanical has the 10-44t and 11-44t cassettes available, although it doesn't work with the 10-36t cassette.
Apex Eagle mechanical, like the electronic option, needs an Eagle 12-speed MTB chain and it offers the same wide-range cassettes. Mechanical Apex is actually a little lighter than Apex AXS at 2,872g for the XPLR version and 3,062g for Eagle. There's not a huge price difference from the electronic variants though, which might encourage riders to pick the latter for their increased versatility and potentially easier maintenance.
- RRP: £1035 / $971 / €1149 (1× XPLR disc brake groupset without BB)
- Cassette: 12-speed
- Widest cassette: 10-44t (XPLR), 10-52t (Eagle)
- Shifting: Mechanical
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc
- XPLR gravel option: Yes
- Read our full SRAM Apex 12-speed groupset explainer
- RRP £1,026 - Buy now from Merlin Cycles (£599)
SRAM Force
£749.99 (RRP £1,395) | View offer
Cyclist's Verdict: Tech-wise, the mechanical Force groupset has been overtaken. Still, it's light and works well enough, plus the single-chainring version is worth a look.
With Red now electronic-only, Force becomes the most advanced mechanical groupset SRAM will sell you, and it's one that hasn't changed fundamentally since it launched way back in 2013, an age in bike tech terms.
An 11-speed groupset, Force is available in both single (1×) and double (2×) chainring configurations. With one less sprocket than its electronic siblings, it uses a standard 11-speed freehub body. However, while this suggests it's likely to be compatible with more bikes, it does mean you miss out on the smaller 10t sprocket and similarly shrunken chainrings of SRAM's newer groupsets.
Nonetheless, before you write it off as completely outdated, it's worth considering Force's many upsides. For one, you can often pick it up at a reduced price. It's also very light. While it's hard to find reliable weight figures for complete groupsets – there's no standard way to weigh them and configurations vary wildly – Force was for a long time the lightest option in its class, although we're not talking about huge margins here. It achieved this partly thanks to its lightweight carbon crankset.
SRAM's 1:1 actuation ratio makes for crisp shifts and easy adjustment of the mechanical gears, although the DoubleTap shifting feels slightly primitive if you put it up against the latest Shimano mechanical groupsets.
Also, some now standard features are missing. You don't get a clutch on the rear derailleur in standard road guise, although the front derailleur does have a nifty chain catcher. With a maximum 32t sprocket on the road version, it offers a decent spread of gears, although not quite as giant as some alternatives now offer.
That said, it's worth noting that Force's single chainring 1× version ('Force 1') uses quite a few different parts to the 2× road-focussed variant. With the ability to accommodate a 10-42t cassette and featuring a clutch on its derailleur, Force 1 feels – psychologically, not mechanically – somewhat more modern, and it's commonly seen on mid-range gravel bikes, although SRAM's 12-speed electronic options are steadily taking over.
- RRP: £1,459 / $1,298 / €1,634 (1× disc groupset without BB)
- Cassette: 11-speed
- Widest cassette: 11-32t (2×), 10-42t (1×)
- Shifting: Mechanical
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc or rim caliper
- Read our full SRAM Force 1 groupset review
SRAM Rival
£499.99 (RRP £1,218) | View offer
Cyclist's verdict: Long neglected in its road configuration, the mechanical Rival groupset fares better in its gravel-focused 1× format.
Another solid road groupset that's been let go to seed. Sporting 22 gears in its standard road version, the mechanical Rival groupset is perfectly serviceable stuff, as you'd expect from what was once SRAM's third-tier racing group.
However, released in 2015, it's showing its age much like Force, feeling somewhat unrefined compared to some of the competition. As is the way of these things, Rival shares many features with the groupset above it in the hierarchy, but with more basic materials and a somewhat increased weight.
Released more recently, with its wider ratios and clutch mech, the gravel-focussed 1× version is a more appealing prospect.
- RRP: £1,134 / $1,120 / €1,268 (1× disc groupset without BB)
- Cassette: 11-speed
- Widest cassette: 11-32 (2×), 11-42t (1×)
- Shifting: Mechanical
- Brakes: Hydraulic disc or rim caliper
- NB: Also available in 1x format.
- Read our full SRAM Rival 22 groupset review
- Buy now from Sport and Leisure (£499.99)
SRAM Apex
Cyclist's verdict: Ignore the outdated 10-speed Apex road groupset and progress straight to the more modern 11-speed 1× version.
Apex 1x is still found on some entry-level gravel bikes, as it offers decent gear range and hydraulic disc braking in an affordable package. The mechanical simplicity of 1x makes it a good option for gravel biking, avoiding the extra complexity of Shimano's competing Sora and Claris 2x set-ups and undercutting the Shimano GRX RX400 10-speed gravel groupset.
- RRP: £898 / $891 / €1,005
- Cassette: 10-speed (Apex), 11-speed (Apex 1)
- Widest cassette: 11-32t (Apex), 11-42 (Apex 1)
- Shifting: Mechanical only
- Brakes: Rim brake, hydraulic disc (Apex 1 only)
- Buy now from Merlin Cycles £599.99
While we've got you, don't miss our detailed guides to Shimano groupsets and Campagnolo groupsets.
