SRAM Force AXS and Rival AXS 2025
Almost a year after the introduction of the new SRAM Red AXS, the US component manufacturer is following up: With SRAM Force AXS and Rival AXS 2025, the second and third models in the range are being updated. This includes the revolutionary new lever shape of the Red, as well as XPLR variants with 13 gears and a full-mount rear derailleur for direct mounting on suitable frames. In addition, individual components of the new groupsets have been significantly reduced in price, and the new groupsets are also lighter.
In its current form, the SRAM Rival AXS was launched in 2021 – the brand's third electronic groupset, featuring new levers significantly modernized compared to SRAM Red and Force. In 2023, SRAM Force followed suit, also receiving the new lever shape and a visual and functional facelift. SRAM Red, launched in mid-2024, was a real sensation: The top-of-the-line groupset came with a significantly optimized lever shape and a 1×13 version for gravel bikes with a direct-mount rear derailleur like the MTB.
SRAM Force and Rival with RED AXS technology
Now, the 2025 SRAM Force AXS and Rival AXS adopt virtually all the features of the 2024 SRAM Red. The Force, in particular, comes very close to the top-of-the-line groupset, but costs only about half as much. Furthermore, the 2×12 Force version is 183 grams lighter, while the Rival 2×12 is even 213 grams lighter, according to the manufacturer. How did SRAM achieve this, and what specific changes have been made?
SRAM Force AXS and Rival AXS 2025: Now with optimized shifters
Let's start with the most striking feature of the two new groupsets – the aforementioned brake and shift levers. They are slimmer and longer, and the pronounced "knob" above the brake lever is missing. This was achieved by relocating the hydraulic cylinder from above the brake lever to the body of the handlebar.
The larger length of the grip body, combined with the sharply curved brake lever, allows the rider to grip the grip with their entire hand, or with three fingers while braking with their index finger. As with the Red, SRAM claims 80% less effort is required, which is also due to the improved brake calipers. Whether that's true remains to be seen – one-finger braking while holding the brake lever is certainly possible, which also has a positive effect on the application. Above all, there's enough space under the brake lever to prevent fingers from getting caught. Even with a large amount of lever free travel, safe braking is always possible.
No more aluminum brake levers on the SRAM Rival
The Rival shifters now also feature carbon brake levers, where previously aluminum was used. Visually, the Force and Rival differ only in the trim—chrome on one, gray on the other—and the different texture of the rubber grips, whose linear arrangement makes it easier to align the levers horizontally.
The Force levers also have a functional advantage: They inherit the "Bonus Button" from the Red on the inside of both grip bodies, which can be used to shift gears or operate a bike computer. The Rival lacks this feature. Here, SRAM follows Shimano's example, where only the Dura-Ace and Ultegra Di2 have additional shift buttons, but not the 105 Di2. The Bonus Button on the SRAM Force is easier to feel on the grip rubber with its slightly larger, grooved button, which is a small advantage.
Uniform brake caliper for Red, Force and Rival
The brake calipers of the new groupset are similar to those of the SRAM Red AXS. However, the latter are more heavily milled to save weight, and the finish is different, becoming increasingly more attractive from Rival to Red. The Paceline brake rotors each have a weight saving of 20 grams thanks to an aluminum carrier.
Auto-trim on all derailleurs
The shifting components of both groups have also been redesigned. While the Rival rear derailleur appears unchanged except for the new graphics, the Force derailleur, with its perforated front plate and 14-tooth pulleys ("Magic Wheels"), now looks very similar to that of the Red. The front derailleurs of both groups are now equipped with "Auto Trim" technology, which adjusts the cage of the derailleur. This allows it to be narrower, which should increase shifting precision. The limit screws on the front derailleurs now have markings (L and H), just like on the Red, to make them easier to distinguish.
The crankset is the flagship of any component group, and there are many new features in this area for both SRAM Force and SRAM Rival. The flat, angular carbon crank of the Force has been significantly lightened thanks to a new carbon layup. It's also said to be stiffer than its predecessor. The aluminum crank of the Rival is 50 grams lighter thanks to open-end crank arms and, like the cranksets of the more expensive groupsets, is now designed for direct-mount chainrings.
The gradation 43/30 is eliminated
The double chainrings on the new groupset are milled from a single block and are available in 46/33, 48/35, or 50/37 tooth increments (the latter only on the Force). Unfortunately, the super-compact 43/30 gear ratio will be discontinued. However, in combination with closely spaced sprocket sets such as 10-28 or 10-30, it provides sufficiently long overdrive gears (as long as the previous 52/12) and easy downhill gears down to 1:1.
What's no longer available on the new Force is the double chainring/power meter combination, where both components are inextricably linked: When the chainrings wore out, the power meter also had to be scrapped. As with the SRAM Red AXS XPLR, there's now a special power meter spider onto which the chainrings are screwed, which is obviously much more cost-effective.
Aero chainrings for gravel bikes
For both the Force and Rival, aerodynamic mono-chainrings with 44, 46, 48, and 50 teeth are available, with power meter versions also available. With this, the component manufacturer is responding to the trend toward aero gravel bikes. As before, SRAM offers both cranksets with power measurement in the bottom bracket spindle. The spindle-based system has improved the battery tray: It can now be unlocked with a slider, eliminating the need for excessive force.
Nothing has changed with the twelve-speed cassettes. The Rival cassette is available in 10-30 or 10-36 gear ratios, while the Force offers four additional gear ratios: 10-28 and 10-33. The flat-top chains of the new groups have become lighter – the Rival now has perforated outer plates, while the Force has perforated outer and inner plates.
Gravel derailleurs only according to UDH standard
The chains are the link to perhaps the most spectacular components of the two groupsets: The Force and Rival XPLR are now "full mount" rear derailleurs that operate 13-speed cassettes with 10-46 teeth. Technically, all components are identical to the SRAM Red AXS XPLR, which was introduced last year: The rear derailleurs require no adjustment screws at all, are attached directly to a dedicated frame (without a derailleur hanger), and can be disassembled, making damaged components easy to replace.
Above all, the Force and Rival XPLR are significantly less expensive than the Red XPLR, which costs €785 for the rear derailleur and €675 for the cassette. The SRAM Force XPLR costs €470 and €300 for the two components, respectively, while the Rival XPLR costs just €355 and €215. Assuming a frame with a UDH derailleur hanger, switching to 1×13 on a gravel bike isn't all that expensive anymore. Existing AXS shifters can continue to be used, since the system's electronic brain is located in the rear derailleur.
As before, all road and gravel components are compatible with each other, so you can mix and match components from different groups or combine new ones with old ones. However, with the introduction of the SRAM XPLR 1×13, a clear distinction is being made between road bikes and gravel bikes – using a road bike wheelset on a gravel bike is no longer possible without risking the rear derailleur getting caught in the spokes...
In addition to the aforementioned prices for XPLR components, there's more good news from a financial perspective: Many individual components from SRAM Force AXS and Rival AXS 2025 have become more affordable. The Force 2×12 crankset without a power meter now costs €455 instead of €480; a 2025 shift-brake lever with brake caliper is listed at €380 instead of the previous €420. The 1x crankset with a wave-based power meter is even more than €100 cheaper—€515 instead of the previous €632!
Significant price reductions – and a more expensive bottom bracket
The new Rival shifters cost €280 each (previously €310), and the basic 1×13 crankset costs €145 (down from €170). However, due to the one-piece chainrings, the Rival's 2×12 crankset has almost doubled in price – from €170 to €380. SRAM does not publish prices for traditional groupsets (exception: the Force AXS 2X E1 Electric HRD Groupset with shifters/calipers, chain, rear derailleur and front derailleur with batteries, charger, brake discs, and "Hammerhead Karoo" bike computer for €2.099). Adding up the individual components (lever set with brake calipers, rear derailleur without battery, front derailleur without battery (2×12 only), crankset without power meter, cassette, chain, brake discs), results in the following prices:
SRAM Force AXS 2×12 2.250 Euros
SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1×13 2.020 Euros
SRAM Rival AXS 2×12 1.750 Euros
SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 1×13 1.445 Euros
(plus 1-2 batteries at €63 each, charger (€52) and bottom bracket)
SRAM also provides weight information (although we have not been able to verify this yet, as the bottom bracket is not included):
SRAM Force 2×12 (with spider-based power meter) 2.776 g
SRAM Rival 2×12 (with axle-based power meter) 2.993 g
SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1×13 (with axle-based power meter) 2.686 g
SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 1×13 (with axle-based power meter) 2.961 g
Approximately 200 grams less weight each
As already mentioned, this equates to a weight reduction of 2 grams for the Force and 12 grams for the Rival for the 183×213 groupsets. According to the manufacturer, a SRAM Red AXS 2×12 weighs 2.496 grams. In this respect, too, the new groupsets are significantly closer to the flagship, technically speaking, too. Since the electronic and hydraulic components are identical in all three groupsets, one can assume largely the same functionality; the fact that the Rival rear derailleur lacks the Orbit fluid damper should be barely noticeable. In terms of operation, the Rival is at a disadvantage due to the lack of auxiliary shift buttons, but then again, those weren't available before. All groupsets are compatible with the wireless auxiliary shifters called "Blips."
In terms of styling, the Force has caught up – it now looks just as premium as the Red. Here, SRAM follows Shimano's example, where Dura-Ace and Ultegra differ practically only in the finish. Meanwhile, the SRAM Rival remains true to its sleek image – unobtrusive but efficient, and a good choice when value is a consideration.
The US company's top-of-the-line group will retain its high status in racing and among particularly discerning buyers. Everyone else can look forward to the new groups that are now closing the gap to the top.
