I am building up a New Gravel bike (likely Open UP),I want to use SRAM, and would like to use XPLR groupset, BUT I want a 2x...so i think my only option is to get Force. I'm just wondering if there is a significant difference between them in terms of chain security and the ability to handle rough gravel roads, even some singletrack? any thoughts on how to set up the bike? I live in a VERY hilly area so need as wide a gear range as possible..
The etap AXS XPLR rear derailleur is not 2x compatible. I think you want the etap AXS rear derailleur that is 2x compatible and handles the 10-36 cassette. I'm not sure why you say Force is the only option. The Rival version uses a different style of clutch on the rear derailleur, but it's a much less expensive choice. The entire Rival groupset comes in several hundred less than the Force.
The front derailleur *likely* knocks a few mm off of the your tire clearance on that frame, but that's just a guess.
The 43/30 front chainrings is probably the way to go. 43x10 is a monster gear on gravel tires where you can hit 30 mph no problem.
dangle wrote:The etap AXS XPLR rear derailleur is not 2x compatible. I think you want the etap AXS rear derailleur that is 2x compatible and handles the 10-36 cassette. I'm not sure why you say Force is the only option. The Rival version uses a different style of clutch on the rear derailleur, but it's a much less expensive choice. The entire Rival groupset comes in several hundred less than the Force.
The front derailleur *likely* knocks a few mm off of the your tire clearance on that frame, but that's just a guess.
The 43/30 front chainrings is probably the way to go. 43x10 is a monster gear on gravel tires where you can hit 30 mph no problem.
Ok, good point , I can use Rival, but as "road" groupset, is there any disadvantage to using it on a gravel bike as apposed to using xplr
No, it's the same stuff whether they put it on a road bike or a gravel bike....which is still a road bike. The front derailleur will likely mean that you can't use as big of a rear tire as the frame will allow, but I don't think there are any other disadvantages.
dangle wrote:No, it's the same stuff whether they put it on a road bike or a gravel bike....which is still a road bike. The front derailleur will likely mean that you can't use as big of a rear tire as the frame will allow, but I don't think there are any other disadvantages.
OK, the reason I ask is because right now I have Ultegra on my gravel bike and it definitely does not do as good a job of Stabilizing my chain as GRX would
OK, the reason I ask is because right now I have Ultegra on my gravel bike and it definitely does not do as good a job of Stabilizing my chain as GRX would
You could put a GRX derailleur in the back with your current Ultegra setup and save a lot of money.
As others have mentioned you would want a SRAM AXS WIDE groupset, Rival, Force, or Red. There is no difference between XPLR and WIDE in terms of gravel use. Xplr is 1x with different gearing. SRAM AXS components have an internal clutch to prevent chain slap as does Shimano GRX and Ultegra RX.
jkauffman wrote:I am building up a New Gravel bike (likely Open UP),I want to use SRAM, and would like to use XPLR groupset, BUT I want a 2x...so i think my only option is to get Force. I'm just wondering if there is a significant difference between them in terms of chain security and the ability to handle rough gravel roads, even some singletrack? any thoughts on how to set up the bike? I live in a VERY hilly area so need as wide a gear range as possible..
I just built a Force AXS bike for my wife. We did a Regular Force 2x crankset with 46-33 rings, a 36-10 cassette, a wide rear derailleur, and a regular front derailleur (wide FD necessary only for wider crankset). It took a year to get the drivetrain parts. She just did her inaugural ride earlier this week. We live in a very hilly area where every ride seems to have at least one grade approaching 20%.
