New SRAM Red AXS is the world’s lightest electronic disc brake groupset

SRAM's new Red AXS groupset is claimed to be the world's lightest electronic disc brake road bike groupset, saving 154g versus the previous generation.

Priced from around £4,090 / $4,090 / €4,135, the groupset is fully wireless, with a new lever and hood design, increased brake adjustability, and improved braking performance from the hoods. Front shifting is also claimed to be faster and smoother.

Compared to Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 and Campagnolo Super Record Wireless, Red AXS offers a wider range of cassette and chainring options.

All new Red AXS components are backwards-compatible with existing 12-speed AXS components, enabling mixing and matching or single component upgrades.

According to SRAM, Red AXS is lighter than any other electronic groupset – a claim we've put to the test, comparing the real-world weights of the groupset to Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200.

How does it ride? Check out our full review of SRAM Red AXS.

Updated SRAM Red AXS HRD Shift-Brake System

SRAM Red AXS' new hood shape is much lower in profile compared to the previous-generation groupset.

The prominent pommels atop the hoods, which have been a signature of SRAM’s hydraulic shift-brake levers since the Red 22 hydraulic system, have been removed.

SRAM says reorienting the hydraulic piston from the previous vertical alignment to a new horizontal layout and repositioning the pivot point for the lever enabled it to more tightly package the internals. The new hoods are 7mm longer and smaller in circumference compared to the previous generation.

SRAM claims the new hoods are easier to hold for a wider range of hands and can reduce fatigue.

According to SRAM, the new lever pivot location and shape is also said to reduce the effort required to actuate the brake by around 20 per cent from the hoods and around 33 per cent from the drops.

SRAM has also introduced independent reach and contact point adjustment.

The reach is adjustable by 2.5mm at the pivot, which results in a difference of around 12 to 15mm at the lever tip.

The brake system’s contact point adjustment offers four positions, from the shortest throw and stiffest brake action, through the longest lever stroke with the most progressive feel.

The flanks of the hoods’ inner surface now feature what SRAM has dubbed 'Bonus Buttons’. These are similar to Shimano’s hidden hood-top buttons as seen on Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 Di2 and Ultegra Di2 R8100 Di2.

Like Shimano, these buttons can control ANT+ devices or act as secondary shifters. The buttons are configured through SRAM’s AXS app.

Skeletal brake calipers

The brake caliper's new skeletal design is said to reduce weight by 83g a pair.

New internal architecture increases pad clearance by 4mm and the piston is located further backwards in the caliper. SRAM says these updates bring rub-free operation.

The Paceline rotor now features an aluminium carrier, which is claimed to save 8g.

The rotors are available in 140 and 160mm sizes. They are only available in a Center Lock option.

Improved shifting

The front derailleur continues to employ SRAM’s ‘Yaw’ technology. This sees the cage pivot with the angle of the chain to eliminate chain rub.

Past experience tells us this requires careful setup, but works well.

SRAM has developed guides to simplify the setup process. This is available in two sizes to suit different chainrings.

The new auto-trim function is claimed to offer faster, quieter and more reliable shifting.

The new rear derailleur's hollow outer parallelogram plate and cutouts in the pulley wheels save 16g over the previous generation.

The new one-size-fits-all derailleur can accommodate cassettes ranging from 10-28t to 10-36t.

The new derailleur features larger ‘X-Sync’ 14t and 12t pulley wheels (up from 12t for both pulley wheels on the previous-generation groupset).

These are equipped with ceramic bearings. SRAM says these updates reduce chain articulation and increase drivetrain efficiency (although it doesn’t say by how much).

The Orbit fluid damper prevents the chain from bouncing over rougher surfaces.

The motor system and batteries are unchanged from the previous generation derailleurs. They use firmware shared with the rest of the SRAM AXS ecosystem.

As a result, all new Red AXS components are cross-compatible with existing AXS parts at all levels.

11 crankset options

The new crankset retains its one-piece chainring design. SRAM claims this is lighter and more durable than conventional two-piece chainrings.

The graphics on the carbon crank arms are more subtle than the previous generation.

The carbon crank arms are made from a new hollow-construction method. Depending on set up, SRAM says this combined with the updated chainrings saves 29g compared to the previous versions.

For the first time, SRAM now offers its crankset in a 160mm length option, which it says meets the current trend towards shorter cranks.

• SRAM Red AXS crankset length options: 160, 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5, 175mm

The 2x chainring sets are available in 50/37, 48/35, and 46/33 tooth combinations on complete bikes. 52/39, 54/41, 56/43 aftermarket chainring combinations will appeal to elite-level racers.

• Stock SRAM Red AXS chainring options: 50/37t, 48/35, 46/33t
• Aftermarket SRAM Red AXS chainring options: 52/39, 54/41, 56/43t
• SRAM Red AXS 1x chainring options: 42, 44, 46, 48, 50t

Plenty of power meter options

The updated Red AXS power meter is claimed to be the lightest and stiffest SRAM has made to date.

As with the previous version, it has a claimed accuracy of ＋/－1.5 per cent. SRAM says it’s unaffected by fluctuations in climate and temperature.

The power meter is integrated into the chainrings and is available in the same range of sizes as the non power meter-equipped chainrings.

More cassette choices

SRAM now offers four cassette options, adding a 10-36t option and dropping the 10-26t option.

• SRAM Red AXS cassette options: 10-28, 10-30, 10-33, 10-36t

SRAM says its cassettes are designed to offer gradual gear progression through the most frequently used gears. There are at least five one-tooth jumps on the 10-28, 10-30, and 10-33t cassettes.

Weight savings here are minimal with SRAM claiming just a single gram saved over the previous generation 10-28t cassette.

Red AXS cassettes are now available in the distinctive oil-slick rainbow colourway first seen on SRAM Eagle XX1, alongside standard grey.

SRAM Red AXS cassette sprocket ratios

New SRAM Red chain

The flat-topped chain design remains as before, but now features a hollow pin construction with cutouts on the inner and outer plates.

SRAM claims the new hollow pin design is lighter yet stronger than the previous generation’s solid pins, saving 13g.

The hard chrome plating on inner plates and rollers leads to reduced wear and longer component life, according to SRAM (although it has not provided any figures to illustrate the increased durability).

Like the cassette, the chain is also available in the oil-slick rainbow finish.

Aftermarket Hammerhead Karoo included

The latest Hammerhead Karoo computer is included with aftermarket SRAM Red AXS groupsets.

The new Karoo computer offers direct control over AXS components and ANT+ support for accessories.

The move comes after SRAM bought Hammerhead at the start of 2022.

New Zipp SL80 handlebar designed for Red AXS

An all-new Zipp carbon handlebar designed to integrate with the latest Red AXS levers has also been released.

The aero-optimised handlebar features an overhang to cover the brake hose where it exits the hood. The shelf-like shape provides a larger resting area for a rider’s hands when on the hoods.

Zipp, which is part of the SRAM group, says the bar features a refined drop shape to enable easier access to the brake lever when riding in the drops.

The bar’s top section features aerodynamic profiling. Zipp claims the slight downward sweep improves ride comfort.

Zipp has also provided suggested installation markers on the bar for SRAM’s Blip auxiliary buttons. The aero-shaped top is designed to be wrapped to the stem.

Zipp includes heat-shrink grips that can be used to keep hoses and wireless Blips in place.

SRAM Red AXS weights and pricing

SRAM claims Red AXS weighs 2,496g with the power meter, or 2,461g without – a claimed 154g saving versus the previous generation Red eTap AXS groupset.

We weighed our complete test groupset at 2,548g. You can head over to our dedicated article on the real weights of each component for SRAM Red AXS.

Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 weighs in at 2,514g (also including its power meter) and Campagnolo Super Record Wireless weighs in at 2,518g (without a power meter) for an equivalent spec.

Red AXS costs £3,000 / €3,350 / $3,000 without a crankset or cassette. SRAM describes this as the base price.

For a non-power meter equipped groupset, adding the crankset and cassette brings the total cost to £4,090-£4,110 ($4,090-$4110) / €4,135-€4,165, depending on the exact choices.

The cost for Red AXS, with a power meter, comes to around £4,590 - £4,610 with a power meter. Both groups come with the Hammerhead Karoo GPS unit included.

SRAM Red AXS component prices