Spotted: Is an Updated SRAM Force AXS Groupset Coming Soon? – Outside Magazine

Powered by OutsideBe one of the first to try our new activity feed! Tap “Home” to explore.A look at the derailleurs, levers, and brake calipers of a potentially new SRAM Force AXS group. (Image: via Weightweenies Forum) Photo: via Weightweenies forum
We may have predicted a new Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset around the corner, but it looks like a new SRAM Force AXS groupset might be coming much sooner than we expected.This image from the Weightweenies forum appears to be a leaked photo of a new SRAM Force AXS groupset, which looks to pull some of our favorite updates from the new Red AXS groupset. Here’s what we know about the groupset from this image, and what we could expect to see happen.The lever shape looks like the most substantial change. The shape seems to move on pretty dramatically from the current smaller, slimmer lever shape of existing SRAM Force, Rival, and Apex levers. Rather, it adopts the same shape of the new SRAM Red AXS levers, which both myself and senior tech editor Josh Ross feel are the best levers in the business currently.That could mean the levers adopt the same revised braking mechanics as Red. That means a push-rod system that enables greater braking power for a given effort from the hoods in the drops alike.Also noteworthy is the square that seems to be on the inside of each brake lever hood. If that is to be trusted, then it means SRAM will also add a pair of Bonus Buttons to the inside of the levers. Current SRAM Red allows the rider to assign control of the shifting, your bike computer, and even your e-bike assist systems.The brake calipers themselves don’t look too terribly changed from the current SRAM Force. They don’t appear to have the ‘windows’ that the Red AXS calipers have, which Red offers in a bid to save weight.The buttons are similar to what’s currently on Shimano GRX Di2 as well as the brand’s Ultegra and Dura-Ace levers.Also of note in this image is what appears to be an updated rear derailleur. It adopts a similar window to the outer plate of the derailleur. Besides that, though, it appears to use the same SRAM AXS battery as all other AXS systems in the company’s ecosystem.While there is an image of a front derailleur, we can’t see any major changes. We wouldn’t be surprised, however, to see SRAM Force AXS adopt the trim function introduced to the Red front derailleur.At least in SRAM Red AXS, the new trim function and redesign resulted in virtually no dropped chains or rasping from the plates.There’s an image of the third-generation Hammerhead Karoo computer. Is that coming with the groupset? We don’t know, but based on it being in the image, we wouldn’t be surprised.Of course, we’d be remiss to not mention the chain, which itself continues to have the same Flattop profile as existing SRAM AXS road and XPLR groupsets use.There’s a lot we don’t know from this one image. The rear derailleur shows no use of SRAM’s T-Type derailleur mount, which eschews a traditional derailleur hanger for a direct mount system. This rear derailleur seems to bolt right into a standard hanger, just like the Red AXS rear derailleur.This does nothing to answer the question of if or when a 1×13 version of SRAM Force XPLR AXS is coming. It doesn’t tell us whether this new Force AXS group is 12-speed, either (though we expect it to be). And there’s nothing here about potential gearing changes, power meter integration, or anything like that.That’s even before talking about potential pricing. SRAM Red AXS didn’t see a dramatic price increase generation over generation, so we wouldn’t expect to see a huge price increase here, either.What it does say, however, is that a new SRAM Force AXS group is on its way.Update: SRAM has declined comment on this story.
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