RED AXS
Members add this to their bikes to track battery and sensor health, stay ahead of wear, warranty, and recalls, and share their take as an owner. Start your Quiver · $19.99/yr →
The 2024 SRAM Red AXS is the most versatile flagship groupset on the market, and for most riders it now matches or beats Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 — a verdict that would have been controversial two generations ago. The redesigned levers and overhauled brake master cylinder are the real story here, not the incremental drivetrain tweaks.
- Braking improvement: SRAM claims 1/5th the effort from the hoods and 1/3rd the effort from the drops; BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, and TPC all confirm the real-world feel is genuinely transformed, now drawing comparisons to Dura-Ace rather than trailing it.
- Shifting vs. Dura-Ace Di2: Reviewers broadly agree front shifting is now on par, but Shimano retains a measurable edge in rear shift crispness and front shift speed — CyclingArchives quantified the latency gap across 9,300+ km of back-to-back testing.
- Weight and value: BikeRadar measured the complete groupset at 2,548g — 31g lighter than Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 — and at ~$4,200 (with Hammerhead Karoo included), pricing lands below Campagnolo Super Record Wireless and competitively against Shimano.
- Ecosystem and gearing range: Fully wireless, swappable batteries, widest cassette options among the three flagships, and 100% backward compatibility with all existing 12-speed AXS components give it a practical edge Dura-Ace and Campagnolo can't match.
- Most-cited issue: The one-piece chainring/power meter combo limits customization and raises replacement costs; narrow shift paddles cause discomfort for some riders; and SRAM's DOT brake fluid requires more careful handling than Shimano's mineral oil.
Skip if: you prioritize the fastest possible rear shift response, prefer mineral-oil brake fluid, or can wait — Shimano's fully wireless 13-speed Dura-Ace R9300 is expected in late 2026 and may reset the entire comparison.
- value · price
How much does SRAM Red AXS cost, and is it worth it vs. just buying Force AXS?
A complete Red AXS groupset runs ~$4,090–$4,720 with power meter (MSRP varies by source/year), including a Hammerhead Karoo computer. Multiple reviewers argue Force AXS delivers 80–90% of Red's performance for ~30% less money and only ~11% more weight, making Red the choice mainly for weight-obsessed racers or dream builds where cost is no object.
- vs. competitors
How does SRAM Red AXS braking compare to Shimano Dura-Ace Di2?
SRAM's redesigned horizontal-piston master cylinder delivers dramatically lighter lever action — SRAM claims 80% less effort from the hoods and 33% less from the drops — and multiple reviewers now rate it equal to or slightly better than Shimano's Servo Wave hydraulics for modulation and one-finger braking feel. One lab test did show Shimano stopping 0.4 m shorter from 40 km/h, but real-world ride impressions consistently favor the new SRAM lever.
- vs. competitors
Is SRAM Red AXS shifting as fast and reliable as Shimano Dura-Ace Di2?
Reviewers disagree somewhat: lab tests show Shimano is measurably faster (71 ms vs. 84 ms rear shift) and has a lower misshift rate under load (0.4 vs. 1.1 per 100 attempts at 450 W). However, most real-world testers call the gap negligible or even imperceptible during normal riding, and front shifting has improved significantly. SRAM's rear derailleur clutch (absent on Dura-Ace) is a practical reliability advantage on rough roads.
- components
What gearing options does SRAM Red AXS offer, and is the range wide enough for climbing?
Red AXS offers four cassettes (10-28t, 10-30t, 10-33t, 10-36t) and six 2x chainring pairs from 46/33 to 56/43, plus 1x options. A 46/33 + 10-36t combination gives a 0.92 gear ratio (33×36), which is 8% easier than Shimano's lowest gear on a 12% gradient — the widest range of any flagship electronic road groupset. Crank lengths span 160–175 mm in 2.5 mm steps.
- components
How heavy is the SRAM Red AXS groupset, and does it actually beat Shimano Dura-Ace?
SRAM claims 2,496 g; BikeRadar's scale measured 2,548 g — 52 g over claimed but still 31 g lighter than their measured Dura-Ace Di2 (2,579 g). The weight advantage is real but marginal, and one long-term test found SRAM Red AXS with a power meter crank (2,485 g) slightly heavier than a Dura-Ace build without a power meter (2,471 g) when compared on equivalent real-world specs.
- known issues
Is the integrated power meter chainring a problem — what happens when I need to replace it?
Yes, it's a noted drawback: the power meter spider is fused with the chainrings, so when one ring wears out you must replace both simultaneously at ~$300/£300 per pair. You also can't swap ring sizes for different courses without buying a new power meter unit (~$880–$1,200). Multiple reviewers flag this as the groupset's most divisive design limitation.
- known issues
Does SRAM Red AXS use DOT brake fluid, and should that worry me?
Yes, Red AXS uses DOT fluid, not Shimano's mineral oil. DOT fluid is corrosive — if spilled during a bleed it can damage paint and components — and mistakes during annual maintenance can cause problems. Cyclingnews and Velo both flag this as a real-world disadvantage versus Shimano, though both note it is a non-issue if bleeds are done carefully.
- use case
Is SRAM Red AXS backward compatible with my existing 12-speed AXS components?
Yes, fully. All new Red AXS (E1) components — shifters, derailleurs, brakes — are 100% backward compatible with any existing 12-speed SRAM AXS road components (Red, Force, Rival). You can mix and match or upgrade piece by piece. The one caveat: the new groupset is disc-brake only, so previous-gen rim brake levers won't pair with new calipers, though older shifters still function with new derailleurs.
What reviewers actually said
This new flagship road groupset keeps each piece entirely backward compatible with pre-existing SRAM AXS 12-speed road groupsets.
SRAM Red AXS E1 is the lightest production electronic flagship in the world at 2,101 g, 48 g lighter than Dura-Ace R9200 at 2,149 g, per the verified ccache weight comparison.
Improvements to braking performance and shifting bring SRAM's new flagship Red AXS groupset on par with Shimano Di2 Dura-Ace R9200.
One uses SRAM Red AXS, one uses Dura-Ace, one is Super Record 13, and the final TRP Vistar // Classified.
SRAM has modified Red's braking feel significantly, suggesting it takes an 80% less force to brake from the hoods and a 33% less force to brake from the drops.
A full Red AXS groupset with a power meter chainset option specced comes in at $4,200.
SRAM Red AXS is the newest of the bunch, with the updated version released in May 2024. Its original release in 2019 ushered in the beginning of the AXS era for SRAM, which now extends to four road and gravel groupset tiers, as well as mountain bike groupsets.
SRAM has a clutch on all the road groupsets. The downsides are minimal and are far outweighed by your chain staying on the crank. Not having it makes no sense.
How it compares
The groupsetfield — SKUs we’ve researched or seen mentioned alongside the SRAM RED AXS. Research a competitor to add its full brief.
+ 67 more in this class.
Related
Safety notices below are open recalls for SRAM — not a finding about this product. Check each notice's own criteria.
Want this on a groupset we haven’t covered?
Name it and we’ll read the reviews, the forums and the manufacturer’s own documentation, and write the page.