Sram Red eTap AXS group

mattsurf · Joined: 28 Sep 2016 Posts: 852 Location: Zug, Switzerland

Just been seeing reports about new Sram Red eTap AXS group:

Cost around £3500 without power meter, £4000 with power meter
Proprietary chain, freehub, cassette, chainset - zero compatibility with anything
powermeter integrated with chainrings, wear-out, bend or damage rings, new PM required

It also seems a bit heavy, weighing 500g more than an 11 speed DA groupset

Is it just me, or would other people be very reluctant to invest as huge amount of money in a groupset that has no parts compatibility with anything else

In terms of the money, I spent around £500 on a full 8020 Mechanical, Disc Ultegra groupset, which I have to say works as well as me DI2 groupset

Poet · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 10148 Location: Your Mum

1* 10-51, erm - why, but yes!

To be fair, it is pretty revolutionary, so early adopters are paying for the R&D.
A lot of this will be available in the next gruppo down next year.
The machined cassette and chainrings look mint.
I also love the chain, like a BMX one.

The people who are (will be) buying this will be sticking it onto a £4k frameset, so I do not think that money is the issue here.

Can't wait to see this in the flesh (L)

mattsurf · Joined: 28 Sep 2016 Posts: 852 Location: Zug, Switzerland

I think that it is evolutionary, not revolutionary, something like a CV drive would be revolutionary, and one could argue that electronic shifting was revolutionary

I do like the SRAM cassettes, and prefer the SRAM Red 1190 over Dura Ace cassettes, isn't the 1190 also milled from a single forging? the next evolution in cassettes must be titanium cassette made using Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM)

the 10-33 cassette with a 35/48 chainset give the same range as a 11-32 cassette with 34/53 chainset.... basically combining a standard and compact chainset. I think that it sounds interesting, but no reason why it couldn't also be done on an 11 speed setup

Poet · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 10148 Location: Your Mum

the range is different - they go lower AND higher!
It's odd, and perhaps counter-intuitive, but it's legit Wink

Yeah, single milled pieces are out, but these just look better.

I aren't a fan of SRAM, but this looks good, but will still have the stupid single tap shifting :@

fat buddha · Joined: 13 Jul 2004 Posts: 2547 Location: rural Zuzzex

I think it's pretty evolutionary rather than groundbreaking and I like the fact you can mix MTB and road versions without any fundamental changes to the set which gives loads of options to bike builders aiming at road, gravel, touring and MTB bikes.

3T have already launched 3 bikes with AXS on - https://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/3t-strada-exploro-range-53566/

*cough*£8990*cough Rolling Eyes

ah well, the bank balance is safe for a while yet!
_________________
And the lord said unto John; "come forth and receive eternal life." But John came fifth and won a toaster.

Poet · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 10148 Location: Your Mum

I see Vroomen is still churning out the same rear triangle design Rolling Eyes

mattsurf · Joined: 28 Sep 2016 Posts: 852 Location: Zug, Switzerland

Canyon are doing the CF SLX 9.0 Disc version for £5699 Euro

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road/ultimate/2019/ultimate-cf-slx-disc-9-0-sl.html

Bank balance still safe though

Poet · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 10148 Location: Your Mum

That’s a bargain!!!
Well...for the frame, wheels and other bits.
Plus the group set.

Also, only 100g over the weight limit 😱

Pedro Peru · Joined: 19 Apr 2010 Posts: 1064 Location: Leeds

I read DC Rainmaker's review, it looks really good. Way out of my price range but really good.

fat buddha · Joined: 13 Jul 2004 Posts: 2547 Location: rural Zuzzex