The mid-range model is renewed Sram Force AXSThere's a new control design, a new color scheme, and even more versatility between road and gravel combinations, with double front plateau and single crown.
Let's go into the details of the system that inherits the same technologies as the Red AXS e borrows the command architecture from AXS rival 12-speed.
The Rival's levers
Its the architecture of these manettini has also been promoted by high-ranking athletes, mainly in the cyclocross and gravel fields, but also by some road cyclists who, in the off-season, try their hand at off-road riding.
And here it is served on the plate the new Sram Force, which presents itself with a sort of holographic livery on a black base, with the completely renewed shape of the brake/gear controls and with that enormous versatility of use that characterises the entire AXS platform.
We asked ad Anthony Medaglia e Dan Stefiuk, respectively Sram chief transmission engineer and road product manager.
Who is the new Sram Force dedicated to?
The new Force is an absolutely race-ready product. Adopt Red technologies, but it is available at a lower price and consequently reduces the price of the bicycle on which it is mounted. Road, gravel and cyclocross, just to name the main disciplines, although thanks to the solutions that are part of the project, The Force AXS system knows no limits of useThis latest version, thanks to its color scheme and some design solutions, such as the crowns, wants to become a reference for those who push themselves towards competitiona very important focus in the road category.
Compared to the previous version, have any internal parts of the system also changed?
No, the whole internal system, the brain and heart remained the same. The differences are in the shifters (the controls, ed.), which in addition to a different shape have changed a part of the mechanics. There is no longer a register to adjust the distance of the pads from the disc, which was positioned in the upper part of the control, but the possibility of adjusting the distance of the levers remains. They have been Removed the Blips button housings and the Force is now compatible with wireless Blips buttons. Also the Force commands are also compatible with the Eagle configuration. There are crowns in the two most popular combinations, namely the 48-35 and 50-37, equal to those of the Red, with the exception of the finish.
But what about compatibility?
Compatibility between AXS drivetrains and their components is totalThe rear rocker arm comes to support the 36-tooth sprocket in the classic version, then we have the XPLR which goes well beyond, up to the 44 teeth of the large sprocket, more suitable for off-road. The traditional combinations are 10-28, 10-30, 10-33 and 10-36. The The new Sram Force 2X front chainrings are available in three combinations, 50-37, 48-35 and 46-33, but It is also possible to mount Red blocks with a larger diameter, 52-39 and 54-41.
Can it be done painlessly?
The derailleur adapter is required, but assembly is possible. The two crowns are a single block of aluminum, machined from solid using CNC. There is also the 43-30 option, but the design of the crowns has remained the same as before. I would like to add that 12-speed AXS systems last nearly twice as long as older 11-speed transmissions.
Why not consider a gearshift balance with oversized pulleys?
We already use pulleys with a larger diameter. The main objective of this solution is not smoothness, but minimize friction when crossing the chain and exploit optimal rigidity of the compartment.
Wouldn't oversized pulleys help?
If we consider smoothness, the quantifiable advantages that come from the rear derailleur alone are minimal.'Increasing the smoothness and efficiency of the entire transmission is not a factor that only concerns the gearbox. Furthermore, they are often not considered in the right way the flexions to which the barbell cage is subjected, negatively impacting friction and safety.
Why choose an oversized HUB thru axle?
It all starts from the will to create a standard that is also useful for unifying platforms, without sacrificing compatibility and performance. The HUB solution has allowed us to develop a very rigid sector, able to support the crown and power meter engagement system.
Returning to transmission efficiency, does the cold have a negative effect?
Cold always has a negative impact on all electronic systems, more than anything on battery life and not necessarily on efficiency. In Sram This factor is the subject of ongoing investigation.
How do you study the problem?
We created a sort of small tank that reaches minus 60°C, inside which the electrical components are placed for endurance and stress tests.
How long do the transmission batteries last?
There are many variables to consider, among these there is also their exposure to temperatures. However, the external ones about 60 hours, those CR2032 of the shifters about two years.
Wireless transmission
The list price of the new Sram Force group is between 1.715 and 2.515 euros, a wide range that takes into account the many available configurations, with or without double crown, with or without Quarq power meter. The transmission operation is completely wirelessNo cables or sheaths are foreseen, neither external nor internal to the frame, the only "tubes" are the hydraulic ones of the braking systemThe brake pads are the same as the previous version. The brake calipers are made of aluminum (two pieces).
The new Sram Force AXS is also available in the Rainbow version, with a rainbow-like finish on the sprockets and chain. Two sprocket ranges are available for the SRAM Rainbow series: 10-28 and 10-33.
The feeling of using it
The new Sram Force AXS It differs very little from the older generation. It's a sort of "mule" in the derailing and re-railing phases of the chain and rarely causes you to lose your pedaling power. allows for “unorthodox” chain crossings".
The biggest change though, in terms of performance, is related to the ffootprint of the handcuffs. They are thinner in the “tower” section, yet they do not make you lose anything during the support phase of the palm and they support the connection point between the thumb and index finger well. The new Sram Force is less bulky and the shifter has great rigidity.
In conclusion
The feeling is that the renewal of the Sram AXS platform starts right from this new ForceThe group is moving more towards a competitive category, thanks to a more aggressive graphic (which doesn't hurt) and thanks to a proven efficiency of shifter and chainring design.
At the same time he does not forget his belonging to a medium market segment, which does not mean "I would like to but I can't", but simply the possibility of taking advantage of high-end technologies thanks to a concrete package, with more affordable prices, compared to his older brother Red.
Is it legitimate to think of a future new Red AXS that also borrows the solutions of the Force? We believe so, and in all likelihood the official renewal phase has begun right now.
