SRAM Rival vs. Force vs. RED AXS: A Comprehensive Guide

SRAM Rival vs. Force vs. RED eTap AXS - every groupset takes one third of the screen.

Cyclists Hub is supported by its readers. We may receive a commission if you buy products using our links.
Green CheckmarkAll content on Cyclists Hub is written by humans, not robots. Learn More

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 the current SRAM Rival, Force, and RED (AXS) 12-speed electronic groupsets.

KEY TAKEAWAY

SRAM Rival AXS is the best entry-level electronic road bike groupset. It has the same ergonomics and shifting performance as RED. It’s just heavier and has limitations, like the lack of connection to satellite shifters or only a single-sided power meter.

Force AXS is the golden mean with the same ergonomics and performance as RED. And finally, RED AXS is ideal for racers and serious roadies because it’s the lightest, but also most expensive.

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.

LevelSRAMSpeedType
EntryApex 111-speedMechanical
EntryApex AXS12-speedElectronic
Mid-rangeRival 2211-speedMechanical
Mid-rangeRival AXS (E1)12-speedElectronic
Mid-rangeForce 2211-speedMechanical
ProForce AXS (E1)12-speedElectronic
ProRED 2211-speedMechanical
ProRED AXS (E1)12-speedElectronic
A comparison of SRAM road bike groupsets (from entry-level to pro) and their type.
Updated on July 11, 2025

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. Then there are Rival, Force, and RED, all available in electronic, fully wireless (AXS) versions.

Naming and Generations

SRAM’s electronic road groupsets now use the AXS designation for their wireless, app-connected systems. The term “eTap” is no longer part of the official product names for the latest models:

  • AXS refers to SRAM’s wireless electronic shifting platform that integrates with the SRAM smartphone app for customization and monitoring.
  • The “eTap” name originally highlighted the wireless shifting technology, but with the latest generation, SRAM has simplified the branding.

SRAM’s latest electronic road groupsets are now officially named Rival AXSForce AXS, and Red AXS. All three series are fully electronic, wireless, and feature 12-speed drivetrains for road use.

TIP: See this comparison of SRAM vs. Shimano groupsets.

Price

If you’ve done any research, you’ll have noticed that SRAM AXS groupsets are cheaper than Shimano Di2.

SRAMPrice
Rival eTap AXS~$1950
Force eTap AXS~$2850
RED eTap AXS~$4250
SRAM Rival, Force, and RED AXS prices for 2X disc brake groupsets without a power meter.

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.

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.

ComponentRival AXSForce AXSRed AXS
Shifting/brake levers, brake calipers, and hoses746g720g689g
Rear derailleur306g294g262g
Front derailleur156g156g147g
Crankset801g622g558g
Cassette285g250g232g
Chain (114 links)248g244g232g
Disc brake rotors299g299g239g
Total~2,841g~2,585g~2,359g
The comparison of the claimed weights of the SRAM Rival vs. Force vs. RED components.
Data source: SRAM
Updated: July 11, 2025

Unsurprisingly, the SRAM RED 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 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 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. In 2025, they finally unified the ergonomics across their lineup, implementing the 2024 RED shifters’ ergonomics in the Rival and Force. These shifters have a longer reach due to the hydraulic cylinders that are now horizontal, not vertical.

There are still no connectors for auxiliary remote shift buttons (also called satellite shifters). One can be added to the Force and two to the RED.

SRAM Rival vs. Force vs. RED eTap AXS shift levers compared.
SRAM Rival vs. Force vs. RED AXS shifters

Electronic Shifting and App Compatibility (AXS)

The difference between using mechanical and electronic groupsets is huge. Electronic groupsets are more convenient.

SRAM calls their electronic groupsets AXS. Unlike Shimano Di2, 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.).

Multiple screenshots from the SRAM AXS iOS app.
SRAM AXS iOS App

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 performancebike.com

Power Meters

One of the less noticeable differences between SRAM Rival, Force, and RED AXS groupsets lies in their power meter options and technology.

  • SRAM Rival AXS: Uses a spindle-based, single-sided power meter. This system measures power only from the left crank arm. To estimate total power, the system doubles the left-leg value, which can introduce inaccuracies if your left/right leg strength is not perfectly balanced.
  • SRAM Force AXS: Offers both spindle-based (single-sided) and Quarq spider-based (dual-sided) power meter options. The single-sided option works like Rival’s, while the spider-based Quarq system measures power from both legs independently, providing more accurate and comprehensive data.
  • SRAM RED AXS: Comes exclusively with a Quarq spider-based, dual-sided power meter. This setup measures power output from both legs independently, delivering the most precise data and advanced metrics.
SRAM Rival vs. Force vs. RED eTap AXS power meters compared.
SRAM Rival vs. Force vs. RED AXS power meters

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:

FeatureSRAM RivalSRAM ForceSRAM RED
Speeds12 (road)
13 (XPLR)
12 (road)
13 (XPLR)
12
Rim brakeNoYes (older gen)
No (AXS)
Yes (older gen)
No (AXS)
Disc brakeYesYesYes
Fully-wireless shiftingYesYesYes
Power meterSingle-sidedSingle/dual-sidedDual-sided
Brake lever adjustmentReach onlyReach onlyReach & contact point
Satellite shiftersNoYes (wireless Blips)Yes (wired/wireless Blips)
Groupset weight~3155g~2700g~2478g
LaunchedJune 2025 (E1)June 2025 (E1)May 2024 (E)
Price~$1950~$2850~$4250
The summary of SRAM Rival, Force, and RED eTap AXS groupsets.
The price depends on the exact specification of the groupset and whether or not you buy it with a power meter.
Updated on July 11, 2025

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. However, if you opt for it, you can expect higher weight, limited compatibility with satellite shifters, and reduced power data accuracy.

If you decide between Force and RED, but your budget is limited, take advantage of the cross-compatibility of components and upgrade some over time. So, you can buy RED cranks but Force derailleurs.

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 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 and since the 2025 version, they have the same ergonomy as the 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’ performance (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 performancebike.com

SRAM Road Bike Groupsets FAQ

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
John Klasinski
John Klasinski
5 months ago

Hi Petr,
I’m on the hunt for a new road/gravel bike. I like the option to have a bike that can accommodate larger wheels . I decided to go with the Giant Revolt. I’m still trying to decide on the Revolt Advanced Pro 0 or Revolt Advanced Pro 1. The difference between the two bikes is the group set, Rival vs Force. About a $1400 difference on my deal. I test drove both bikes and still can’t decide. Which way would you lean? Just wondering about your opinion. Thanks, John

Scroll to Top
2
0
I'm interested in your opinion. Join the discussion!x
()
x