Just waiting to see the first Specialized Crux DSW with the new Sram Red XPLR components.
Totally agree, SRAM strategy seems to be entirely based around keeping cross compatibility where possible, they could fit in a extra gear for XPLR without needing to change front mech compatibility or new chain widths (which would have meant new cranksets)
I really donāt see what that the issue is, they have kept the same spacing,chain compatibility and therefore crank set compatibly, meaning you can run XPLR on a road bike if you like because of the crankset and driver body compatibility (loved the sarcasm at the end of the GPLama video about running it on a Madone) but they have fitted in a extra (11 less then 2x) because not having to worry about the front mech ā¦ ok, cheers
I expect because of this we will see all the XPLR go to 1x13 and the road stay @ 2x12 for several years, and keep compatibly
2 Likes
Was kind of hoping the new crux would have kept the low weight but went more aero in design. With wide tire clearance and udh for the new red XPLR it would pretty much be the perfect bike.
1 Like
$12,000 is a steal, try $18,000 in Europeā¦ 
1 Like
Lauf pricing is unbeatable if you want the new XPLR.
3 Likes
I know it doesnāt have the 13 or the UDH, but Iām pretty ecstatic that I pulled the trigger on the big discounts on last yearās model since mine is mostly for road/cat 1-2 gravel!
1 Like
Thatās what Dave Rome measured them at.
1 Like
They already exist. Iāve seen a few direct mount UDH hangers already. So really Shimano doesnāt have to do anything. All of their stuff is already compatible with UDH, both direct and B-link attachments.
1 Like
Yup, I grabbed a 2022 earlier this year, upgraded the components to Force XPLR and it has been fantastic. It fits my preference for a āroad bike for dirtā and was great at Unbound.
1 Like
That doesnāt quite tell the story, though: in the latest episode of Gear Warning, Dave said that Pidcock was the only Shimano-sponsored athlete and he was still running XTR mechanical. In the meantime SRAM has released two further revisions to their MTB drivetrains.
1 Like
Personally I think SRAM did great work here. Compatibility with existing chain and back-compatibility with any AXS shifters is fantastic news. Sadly my current gravel race bike is not UDH compatible, but if it were Iād be interested.
Iāll say I recently upgraded to the new Red shifters/brakes, and they are FANTASTIC. Much better ergonomics, much better braking, accessory buttons are nice.
Iām a bit more skeptical of what theyāve done with the wide Zipp wheels. Not because of the widthāIāve been running 3T Discus and LB WG44s this year, both ~30mm wideābut because they made em hookless and have this super restrictive tire compatibility. It seems like pushing boundaries of rim width would be best done with added security of hooks.
2 Likes
Everyone keeps saying how much better the braking is with the new red. Was it previously that bad? I have shimano brakes, so is the red in line with shimano now? Or more powerful?
Iām around 210lbs and ride a lot of steep gravel and Class IV roads and Iāve never felt like the Force braking was lacking in any way. I think the big deal is that the new Red has legit one-finger braking from any position, based on some of the reviews Iāve read.
3 Likes
I have always been on Shimano hydraulics (and FSA) and got Force for my gravel bike this year. The feel of Shimano braking is FAR superior, IMO. More modulation, less force required.
I am waiting for my LBS to get me a pair of the new Red levers so I can swap them out.
It is not that the Force is ābadā necessarilyā¦ā¦but it doesnāt come close to Shimano, IMO.
3 Likes
Probably cheaper to buy the Lauf, strip the parts and sell the frame, instead of buying the groupo seperate!
4 Likes
For me it is the opposite: I have tried all manners of Shimano hydraulic brakes. My favorite mountain bike brakes are my M785 XT brakes, the newer M8100 XT brakes are missing Servo Wave and I donāt get along as well as with my older XT brakes.
That being said, my Force brakes feel much better than any Shimano drop bar brake I have tried (which includes RS505 until R8000 11-speed Ultegra). The Shimanoās lack feedback and are very on/off, modulation is much better on my Force brakes. (I remember reading back when Shimano released their first gen of hydraulic drop bar groupstets that they modeled the brake feel after rim brakes. Thatād jive with my experience.) And at least for my hands, I have much better purchase of the brake levers in the hoods.
Yeah, everybody has been raving about the new Red brakes. I need a new brake/shift lever (another victim of my corrosive sweat), and I priced out a pair of Red levers ā¦ hmmm, I guess Iāll be sticking to ordering one new Force D1 lever. 
1 Like
No, I like SRAM drop bar groupset brakes much better than Shimanoās. They offer much more modulation and feedback. (I havenāt tried their 12-speed drop bar groupsets, although I havenāt read anything thatād indicate a similar step change as the new Red groupsets.)
Braking on a drop bar bike is all about modulation to me. You can easily make tires break traction.
The old Force brakes were fine, comparable to Shimano in my experience. The new Red have a higher pivot and different shape that makes it much easier to brake hard from the hoods. With all other drop bar brakes Iāve used I generally need to be in the drops on steep descents to feel like I can brake as hard as I need to; not the case with the new Red. Better brakes combined with longer/slimmer hoods that you can get 3 fingers all the way around give much better control from the hoods.
2 Likes
So what I am hearing is that XTR mechanical is as good or better than the two SRAM drivetrains that habe since been released?
2 Likes
I specifically talked about why thereās no 2x13 coming any time soon in my review. Tldr, itās the chain.
Thereās 2x12 for road and 1x13 for gravel both developed and released together (essentially).
2 Likes