The Best Thing About New SRAM Red AXS

For almost a year, we’ve been catching glimpses the all-new SRAM Red AXS groupset. The most tell-tale indicator of the new group is the revised hood design. Outside of that, the overall look seems merely cosmetic (to the naked eye). Of course, SRAM has a slew of new features to tout with this new offering to arguably put Red back in the driver’s seat as the most desirable road groupset on the market. But, there’s just one feature that I’m most excited about.

New 2024 SRAM Red AXS Highlights:

• New hood design with more powerful and ergonomic braking
• Revised shift levers for improved tactility
• Bonus Buttons to control extra things (lights, shifting, data screens)
• Updated front derailleur that’s faster and more accurate
• New integrated chainring design with Quarq power meter
• 153 grams lighter than current Red AXS (2496 grams)
• New brake calipers with increased pad clearance
• Paceline X rotors are SRAM’s lightest ever
• Larger rear derailleur pulleys with ceramic bearings
• Ultralight, hollow carbon fiber cranks
• MSRP: $3000 (full kit + Hammerhead Karoo)

A few noteworthy new things

Like any new groupset, the new feature discussion can go on for hours. I’ve spent plenty of time with SRAM’s product teams over the years in Chicago, Spearfish and San Luis Obispo. Each time, I’m blown away at the painstaking effort SRAM makes to deliver the products we all ride every day. Engineering is the heart of innovation at SRAM and there’s a lot to celebrate with their latest Red AXS kit.

SRAM Red always comes with titanium and carbon bits to save weight and the new kit drops 153 grams from the complete package. There are a few new cassette and aftermarket chainring sizes on offer with the new groupset. Additionally, the new Paceline X rotors drop weight with a new carrier design.

Notably, the front derailleur is said to be faster and more precise than the previous-generation. That will certainly aim to win over riders who are still insistent that Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 is faster-shifting than Red AXS. Some head-to-head comparisons are certainly forthcoming, so stay tuned there. Something else interesting is the increased pad clearance with the all-new brake calipers for rub-free performance. I haven’t had too many issues with the latest SRAM Force AXS, but more pad clearance is always in style. All of these features are certainly noteworthy and take SRAM Red AXS further.

The killer feature of the new SRAM Red AXS

Of course, all of the above items are progressive improvements, but the feature I’m most anticipating is the new hood ergonomics and braking control. Gone is the tall, upright hood design and in its place are sleek, long and low hoods that mimic Shimano’s latest hoods. With the ability to fit more hand sizes, the new hoods remain adjustable as well.

I’m absolutely a fan of Campagnolo’s awesome brake levers that allow increased leverage and power with one or two fingers. SRAM’s new Red AXS lever design is said to offer 80% less effort from the hoods and 33% less from the drops. I’m intrigued. Braking is good, but not pack-leading with the current designs, but these changes have the possibility of placing SRAM Red above the competition. A revised horizontal piston design is now housed in the main part of the hoods.  Not only is braking easier, there’s more hand clearance during hard braking. Part of this is due to the longer and narrower shift paddles, but the hoods are deeper for added clearance.

Of all the features on the new SRAM Red AXS, it’s those nifty new levers that I’m most excited about. Hopefully I’ll get my hands on a set to confirm the marketing hype in the coming months. What are you most excited about?  

More Info: Visit SRAM.com

Images courtesy Cannondale and SRAM.