SRAM is the second most popular road bike groupset manufacturer. Many believe it’s better than Shimano. Is that really so? Below, I will compare weights, performance, prices, and other differences of current SRAM Rival, Force, and RED (eTap AXS) 12-speed electronic groupsets.
KEY TAKEAWAY
SRAM Rival eTap AXS is the best entry-level electronic road bike groupset. It has better ergonomics than RED but is only available for disc brakes. It also has limitations, like the lack of connection to satellite shifters.
Force eTap AXS is the golden mean with the same ergonomics as Rival. RED eTap AXS is ideal for racers and serious roadies because it’s the lightest, but it’s awaiting an update.
These groupsets have the same reliability, shifting speed, and accuracy. The same can be said about their power meters, which beat the Shimano ones mainly in reliability.
NOTE: This article only covers the latest SRAM electronic groupsets. You may still find bikes with mechanical or older-generation groupsets.
SRAM Road Groupsets Hierarchy
According to this estimate, Shimano holds about 70% of the market share, while the rest is split between SRAM, Campagnolo, and other manufacturers.
A reasonable estimate is that SRAM accounts for around 20% of the road bike groupsets market. However, their position is stronger in the MTB market.
Please refer to the following table, which summarizes the hierarchy of SRAM road bike groupsets.
| Level | SRAM | Speed | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Apex | 10-speed | Mechanical |
| Mid-range | Rival | 11-speed | Mechanical |
| Mid-range | Rival eTap AXS | 12-speed | Electronic |
| Mid-range | Force | 11-speed | Mechanical |
| Pro | Force eTap AXS | 12-speed | Electronic |
| Pro | RED | 11-speed | Mechanical |
| Pro | RED eTap AXS | 12-speed | Electronic |
SRAM focuses mainly on its electronic groupsets, and they haven’t updated the mechanical ones for a while.
The most affordable groupset is the SRAM Apex, which is mechanical and only 10-speed. Then there are Rival, Force, and RED, all available in mechanical and electronic versions.
Due to the relevancy, I will focus only on the electronic groupsets (eTap AXS).
Naming and Generations
SRAM adds “eTap AXS” to the names of their electronic groupsets. The eTap refers to the wireless shifting technology, while AXS refers to the integration system that allows you to connect SRAM groupsets with the SRAM smartphone app. (Source)
The latest SRAM groupsets are as follows:
- SRAM Rival eTap AXS
- SRAM Force eTap AXS
- SRAM RED eTap AXS
All three series are electronic and wireless and have 12 gears.
TIP: See this comparison of SRAM vs. Shimano groupsets.
Price
If you’ve done any research, you’ll have noticed that SRAM eTap AXS groupsets are cheaper than Shimano Di2.
| SRAM | Price |
|---|---|
| Rival eTap AXS | ~$1400 |
| Force eTap AXS | ~$2100 |
| RED eTap AXS | ~$2500 |
But considering their price, it’s no surprise that we can find them only on mid-range to high-end road bikes in price ranges above $3000.
So far, it doesn’t look like SRAM wants to compete with cheaper groupsets like Shimano Claris, Sora, or Tiagra.
These three groups mainly compete with Shimano 105 Di2, Ultegra Di2, and Dura-Ace Di2.
See the following comparisons for more info:
Overall Weight
The overall weight of the individual groupsets depends on multiple factors, mainly the cassette/chainring size and the inclusion of a power meter.
| Component | Rival eTap AXS | Force eTap AXS | RED eTap AXS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shifting/brake levers, brake calipers, and hoses | 845g | 822g | 736g |
| Rear derailleur | 366g | 328g | 278g |
| Front derailleur | 180g | 182g | 170g |
| Crankset | 861g | 746g | 572g |
| Cassette | 338g | 273g | 211g |
| Chain (114 links) | 266g | 241g | 245g |
| Disc brake rotors | 158g | 158g | 133g |
| Total | ~3155g | ~2750g | ~2478g |
Data source: SRAM
Unsurprisingly, the SRAM RED eTap AXS is the lightest groupset, weighing around 2478g. SRAM saved weight using premium materials (carbon) and made some parts (chainrings) lighter.
On the other hand, SRAM Rival eTap AXS is pretty heavy. At 3155g, it exceeds the weight of some of the mechanical groupsets.
Is the price-weight difference justifiable? Only you decide. Unlike Shimano, SRAM’s prices aren’t as aggressive, and you won’t pay as high a premium for the top-of-the-line groupset.
However, you shouldn’t remember that saving a few hundred grams is nothing compared to reducing your CdA. Learn more in my article explaining cycling speed.
Ride Feel
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to try all generations of SRAM groups yet. I had only ridden the RED eTap AXS when I borrowed my friend’s bike.
So, I dove into forums like Reddit and talked to SRAM users to learn more. Those with rich experience agree that the shifting differences between these groupsets are negligible.
Shifting speed, accuracy, and reliability are on par with all of these groupsets (Shimano groupsets follow a similar trend).
If you’ve been using Shimano, you must get used to a slightly different shifting style. You must simultaneously press the left and right levers to shift the chainring. To change gears, you use the left/right lever (depending on the setting).
Ergonomics
Since the older generations, SRAM has been working on improving ergonomics. Shifters aren’t as bulky as they used to be.
However, we can still find differences between the groupsets. For example, Rival is narrower because it doesn’t offer a brake adjustment like the Force or RED.
Also, there are no connectors for auxiliary remote shift buttons (also called satellite shifters). On the other hand, one can be added to the Force and two to the RED.
Electronic Shifting (eTap) and App Compatibility (AXS)
The difference between using mechanical and electronic groupsets is huge. Electronic groupsets are more convenient.
SRAM calls their electronic groupsets eTap AXS. Unlike Shimano Di2, eTap AXS groupsets are fully wireless (no cables lead from the shifter to the battery).
The AXS ensures the groupset’s compatibility with a smartphone app that allows you to customize the shifting modes and other settings. Your groupset will also collect data on your shifting habits (which gears you use the most often, etc.).
One of the best things about SRAM is that the components are compatible with each other, including the batteries. You can even swap the batteries from the front derailleur of Rival to the rear one of RED and vice versa.
For example, this can come in handy when the battery in the rear derailleur runs out. You can swap batteries and still have enough gears to get home.
Also available at competitivecyclist.com and performanebike.com
Power Meters
One of the less obvious differences between SRAM Rival, Force, and RED is in the power meter.
The Force and RED groupsets use Quarq spider-based (dual-sided) power meters. Rival, on the other hand, uses a spindle-based power meter, which only reads power from the left crank arm.
This means that to determine total power, your left-leg power is doubled. This may lead to inaccuracies caused by left/right leg disbalances.
You can read more about this in my comparison of single vs. dual-sided power meters.
SRAM Rival vs. Force vs. RED: Summary
The following table compares the key features of these groupsets:
| Feature | Rival eTap AXS | Force eTap AXS | RED eTap AXS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeds | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Rim brake | No | Yes | Yes |
| Disc brake | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fully-wireless shifting | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power meter crankset available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brake lever adjustment | No | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite shifters | No | Yes (1 only) | Yes (up to 2) |
| Groupset weight | ~3155g | ~2700g | ~2478g |
| Launched | April 2021 | March 2023 | February 2019 |
| Price | ~$1400 | ~$2100 | ~$2500 |
The price depends on the exact specification of the groupset and whether or not you buy it with a power meter.
Besides weight and price, there’s not much difference between them, right? So, let’s finally answer the question:
SRAM Rival, Force, or RED: Which One Should You Choose?
At this point, it becomes clear that the choice depends mainly on your preferences and budget. Performance-wise, all three groupsets are pretty much the same.
Go for Rival if you are looking for the cheapest option. But if you decide to buy it with a power meter, expect higher weight, no ability to connect satellite shifters and worse data accuracy.
If you decide between Force and RED, I would spend more money on RED cranks but choose Force hoods, which are smaller and more ergonomic.
Conclusion
While the SRAM Rival vs. Force vs. RED debate may seem never-ending, their mutual compatibility gives you more freedom.
The easiest (and cheapest) way to enter the electronic shifting game is to buy the SRAM Rival eTap AXS. Yes, it’s relatively heavy, not available for rim brakes, and you can’t connect satellite shifters to it, but it’s a wireless electronic groupset for an affordable price.
If you don’t like any of its parts (e.g., the crankset), you can buy a Force or RED crankset that looks much cooler. Some also claim these cranksets are stiffer.
Force is lighter than Rival but has worse ergonomics of hoods (they are bulky). That’s why people often prefer more premium RED shifters.
The final choice depends on your budget and preferences. The biggest differences are weight, satellite shifter compatibility, power meter, and price. The groupsets’ behavior (their speed and reliability) is the same.
So, which one will you choose? Or would you rather use Shimano Di2? Let me know in the comments below.
Also available at competitivecyclist.com and performanebike.com
