SRAM Force eTap AXS Review – On Mud, Gravel & More!

“A more capable groupset for today’s riders.” – “SRAM Force eTap AXS™ offers the key features of RED eTap AXS™—modern gearing, advanced chain management, and easy personalization—in a more affordable package.” – SRAM.com

sram force etap axs review

* Apologies for a couple of focusing issues due to filming part of this video (further down the article) in low light. *

sram force etap axs review

“Wireless electronic shifting and hydraulic disc braking: the best of both worlds. The SRAM Force eTap AXS™ HRD shift-brake system integrates top technology into an efficient package and offers AXS™ for easy personalization.”

sram force etap axs review
The Cervelo Aspero gets muddy with SRAM Force eTap AXS

This review focuses on Force eTap AXS system operation and how it has performed over a decent amount of time on gravel, mud and everything else type of roads. The intricacies of the SRAM AXS phone app and tweaking the system are not covered in this review.

sram force etap axs review

“Designed for both 1x and 2x systems, the Force eTap AXS rear derailleur capitalizes on X-Range™ gearing technology for enhanced range and chain management.”

sram force etap axs review

Fitted to the top-flight Cervelo Aspero review bike (our review is linked below), this 1x variant of the SRAM Force eTap AXS drivetrain features a 36T front chainring, paired to a Force 10-33 12-speed cassette. A SRAM Red-level 10-33 12-speed cassette was also tested periodically with the drivetrain.

Links of interest:

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3 Comments

  1. Avatar John Williamson

    Good review Jayson, and timely!

    I wanted to put the AXS Eagle (10-50) on my flat-bar Mountaineer to get that low gearing, however with that, I have the opposite problem.The largest chainring I can put on that frame is a 32T. Unfortunately, that is really too low (top end is 84 gear inches).

    What I would really like is a flat bar set up with the SRAM ETap AXS 2X as you mentioned, using the Eagle shifters. Not sure they would talk to each other, but have you seen such a setup?

    Do you think the Force 46/33 chainring and the 10-33 cassette would be enough for something like the SBT-GRVL ride?

    • JOM JOM

      John, I cannot vouch for anything Eagle, haven’t tried it. But, assuming the drop bar shifters work with Eagle, I would assume the reverse is true. 46/33 and a 10-33 are no worries for SBT GRVL. I rode a 33 x 32 low gear (3rd party chainring on Shimano) at SBT GRVL, no problems… except for me riding slowly haha!

  2. Avatar Sean

    I have on order a SRAM Force eTap AXS Mullet system for my new Allied Able frame. Happy to hear you having no reliablity issues with e tap AXS.

    Thanks for the update.

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