SRAM has just unveiled its latest update to the Force AXS groupset, and it’s more than just a cosmetic refresh. Borrowing heavily from the top-tier Red AXS, the new Force is now slimmer, lighter, more ergonomic, and arguably one of the most versatile wireless drivetrains on the market. Designed to appeal to road, endurance, and gravel riders alike, this version marks a true evolution of the mid-tier AXS offering.
Whats New
Red-Inspired Levers & Ergonomics
The most noticeable change comes in the shift levers. SRAM has adopted the new design language from the updated Red AXS—introducing slimmer, more compact hoods, reprofiled grips, and lighter carbon blades. These new hoods are especially friendly for riders with smaller hands or those who prefer a more relaxed grip on long rides. There’s also the welcome addition of wireless “Bonus Buttons” on the levers for customizable auxiliary shifting.
Direct-Mount One-Piece Chainrings
In line with Red, the double chainring cranksets now use SRAM’s direct-mount, one-piece chainrings. This brings a major weight saving—around 83 grams—and adds stiffness and responsiveness. However, this also means individual ring replacements aren’t possible. When the rings wear out, you’ll need to replace the entire crank spider.
Upgraded Derailleurs
The front derailleur has received a major overhaul, with a new single cage size that works with all cassette ranges from 10-28T to 10-36T. Shifting is now faster, cleaner, and reportedly smoother than even Red. The rear derailleur keeps SRAM’s Orbit fluid damper for chain stability—especially helpful on gravel or rough roads. Furthermore, the all of the new sram range (Force, Red and Rival) have srams universal derailleur hanger (UDH) meaning the need for a mech hanger is no more, (if your bike supports UDH)
Braking and Serviceability
Hydraulic disc braking remains superb, but SRAM has improved bleeding and servicing with “Bleeding Edge” ports, making maintenance more straightforward for home mechanics.
Power Meter Integration
SRAM continues offering integrated Quarq power meter options for both 1× and 2× cranksets, including Wide variants. The spindle-based unit is discreet, accurate, and keeps things tidy for those who want performance data without bulk.
Ride Impressions
Shifting Performance
Shifting is sharp, precise, and intuitive. While rear shifts were already solid in the previous generation, the front derailleur now delivers cleaner transitions—some testers claim it’s more confident than Red AXS, which is a bold but believable claim given the redesign. Compared to Shimano’s Ultegra Di2, Force AXS is now neck-and-neck in front shifting quality, though Di2 still has a hair’s advantage in absolute shift speed.
Braking
The braking feel is powerful and consistent. Lever travel is short and smooth, and modulation is easy to control on both road and gravel descents. The ergonomics of the new hoods make braking from the tops or drops more natural than ever.
Ergonomics & Comfort
The redesigned hoods are a game-changer for comfort. Riders with smaller hands will appreciate the compact form, while gravel and endurance riders benefit from better wrist angles during long hours in the saddle. The Bonus Button adds convenience for bar-top shifting or accessories via the AXS ecosystem.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lighter and sleeker thanks to integrated chainrings
- Outstanding shift quality, especially up front
- Ergonomic levers improve comfort significantly
- Excellent braking power with improved serviceability
- Seamless integration with SRAM’s AXS ecosystem
Cons
- Integrated chainrings are non-serviceable
- Still slightly trails Shimano in shift speed
- No wired Blip ports (wireless only)
- Replacement cranksets (especially with power meter) are expensive
Final Verdict
The 2025 SRAM Force AXS is more than just a middle sibling to Red—it’s now a category-defining groupset in its own right. With redesigned ergonomics, improved shifting, and a sleek, modern aesthetic, this new Force package punches above its weight in both performance and value. It’s an especially strong contender for endurance and gravel riders who want wireless precision and top-tier braking without paying Red prices.
For racers chasing milliseconds, Shimano might still hold the edge in raw shift speed. But for nearly everyone else, this new Force AXS could very well be the sweet spot of the wireless drivetrain world.
https://www.rmcycles.co.uk/blog
