SRAM Rival eTap AXS Long-Term Review: Wireless Electronic Shifting for Everyone!

sram rival etap axs review

SRAM Rival eTap AXS

“Experience a better bike ride. SRAM Rival eTap AXS features the technology modern riders want—intuitive wireless shifting, innovative gearing, integrated power measurement, AXS connectivity, and refined hydraulic disc brakes. It’s low on complexity, but rich with features.” – SRAM

SRAM Rival eTap AXS Review

In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew conducts a thorough long-term review of SRAM’s newest drivetrain option, Rival eTap AXS, on the gravelly roads less traveled. At a price point that makes this groupset seriously competitive with some mechanical drivetrains, it is a game-changer. Reliable 12-speed wireless electronic shifting for the masses, that stands up well over the long haul? See the review above!

Wireless Shifting

“It’s a clean, secure, and reliable technology to match your modern bicycle. eTap wireless shift logic is simple and intuitive to ride: one button to go easier, one to go harder.”

sram rival etap axs review
Front derailleur pictured sans battery

Capable & Efficient Shifting

“12-speed gearing provides wider range and tighter jumps so that you’re always in the right gear, whether climbing a fire road or sprinting for a town line. Plus, SRAM Rival eTap AXS has multiple gearing options to tailor your bike to your specific needs.”

sram rival etap axs review
Rear derailleur pictured sans battery

sram rival etap axs review

Integrated Power Meter Option

“Accurate and reliable Quarq power measurement elegantly hidden inside a DUB crank spindle. Easy to install, easy to use, with a lower barrier to entry than ever. Measure your progress and achieve your riding goals.”

sram rival etap axs review
Non-power meter crankset pictured with 43/30 chainrings
sram rival etap axs review
Rival XG-1250 cassette is available in 10-30T, 10-36T

AXS Enabled

“Control, personalization, and monitoring are at your fingertips with the AXS mobile app. Build a bike profile, customize your shifting, check battery charge status, and update firmware as needed right from your phone.”

sram rival etap axs review
AXS phone app shown configuring a Force eTap system

Disc Brakes for Supreme Control

“SRAM Rival eTap AXS provides the best braking experience for all riders. Sure, there’s power when you need it, but it’s the pinpoint control and reach adjustability for different hand sizes that set our brakes apart.”

sram rival etap axs review

sram rival etap axs review
Fork-mounted flat-mount brake caliper
sram rival etap axs review
Rear flat-mounted brake caliper
sram rival etap axs review
DUB bottom bracket supports a number of standards, PF30 in this case
sram rival etap axs review
Rival flat top chain

sram rival etap axs review

sram rival etap axs review
Paired with a 30T small chainring, walls can be climbed with this 10-36T cassette
sram rival etap axs review
Shifts between chainrings are fast & reliable
sram rival etap axs review
Rival eTap AXS groupset installed on a Parlee Cycles Chebacco XD

sram rival etap axs review

sram rival etap axs review

sram rival etap axs review
Parlee Cycles Chebacco XD review bike

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1 Comment

  1. Avatar Stephen

    “…It’s low on complexity, but rich with features.” – SRAM

    Uh, maybe easy to use but not at all uncomplicated. Plus almost everything is proprietary and incompatible with anything else, which includes chains, chainrings, cassettes, jockey wheels, etc. Want a different size chainwheel? Tough, there are few oprions. For the (tested) “Wide” crankset the only rings from SRAM are 43×30, and the BCD is unique to that crankset, plus the Rival rings are different (cosmetically at least) to Force Wide. 🙁

    Also, there are no “wall climbing” gears IME, although racing cyclists seem prone to claiming this. If you come from a touring or MTB background you soon find there are hills that are extremely difficult to ascend, and this only gets worse on multi-day trips.

    For reference, Monte Zoncolan is often cited as being one of the most severe climbs in the Giro d’Italia or professional cycling, and at 22% maximum gradient is steeper than anything in the TDF. Alberto Contador was reported to have used 34×32 for that climb, so more normal humans would typically require significantly lower gears, and even more so on dirt and/or with luggage. Lael Wilcox used 38×10-50 to set a FKT recently, and she’s not exactly weak(!). There are plenty of 20-30+% climbs out there on back roads…

    BTW, thanks for using quotes to make it clear what is from marketing departments. 😉

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