Agreed. I switched to SRAM when I sold my old bike and got a new one. It was a very conscious decision in that I knew that any future bikes (wife willing) would also be in the SRAM ecosystem.
The basic SRAM chains definitely work on Shimano cassettes; Ive intermixed them plenty of times; but I am unsure about the newer flat top SRAM chains.
Interestingly from a video that was posted on here the other day SRAM chains seem to be more robust than others and more robust again the more you spend but, and probably a big but, SRAM chains are the slowest and the more you spend the slower they get 
Made the switch from Di2 Ultegra to Force about two months ago and couldn’t be happier! I’m 69yo, and while I’m faster than I’ve ever been, I do appreciate the 12 speed cassette with the 10/36 on some of the 15-20% grades around here – I could do them before but the boost in cadence with the new gear inches is great. Also love the batteries, which last a long time, and also, so easy to have a spare battery in the jersey pocket and change it in 20 seconds on the road if need be. Then what everyone said about the great intuitive shifting. Just great.
Yes, you will need an XDR freehub.
Okay Thanks
Thanks good to know.
Thanks for the reply. 
Slowest chain… maybe that’s why Team Movistar has won in a while…well it probably wont matter that much in my case. But it is kinda strange that it is slower as their concept of smaller chain rings and less distance between jumps is a good concept .
It has nothing to do with their gearing concept, it is a materials / design issue. Dylan Johnson has some details in his two most recent YT videos on chains and lubricants.
(and many people will tell you that smaller chainrings are also not as efficient as larger chainrings)
That’s true, that’s the trade off. However, you get more range with the same number of gears.
My hot take: Non-pros worried about the watts lost with sram chain/drivetrain are missing the forest for the trees.
(With the possible exception of avid time trialists)
Jumbo Visma switched to sram and they still seem to be winning plenty. Can’t all be that bad.
I don’t know if that has been discussed before in the thread but one thing that stood out to me after the switch from DA Di2 hydro to SRAM RED eTap AXS (hydro) is how porky the
SRAM levers are. I have big hands and the RED levers are quite comfortable on the tops but I still kind of prefer the feel and look of the DA levers.
RED levers are due for an update as various Pros have been running a version of the Rival shifters with carbon levers in CX last year and SRAM recently announced new SRAM Force AXS components with updated shifters. So if you can wait for a possibly updated RED lever (rumored to look close to Shimano GRX levers) then I’d probably wait or buy Rival and update later.
I’d definitetly try to get your hands on the levers first before commiting to the purchase. RED are quite expensive and I wish I’d gone with Rival looking back. That’s all of course just personal preference so YMMV.
Thanks for the reply, Well, I will check out out DJ’s videos. I guess SRAM has a lower price point than Shimano Ultegra. I guess I need some more research. I will also have to calculate what the loss of efficiency is and is it significant for me?
You don’t say… I’m like a Sepp Kuss fan boy 
So that’s all you had to say… 
Yep, keep it REAL… Thanks well said!! And a good reminder as we fall in the cycling abyss. Sometimes we need a wake up call!
It likely isn’t…it is on the magnitude of 2-3w. Not even noticeable for most of us and other concerns should take priority (ergonomics, shifting preferences, etc).
thanks
This has turned out to be the recently released Force AXS shifters - Rival bodies with carbon levers.
The newer RED will look much different if leaked images are anything to go by.
more GRX-ish from what I’ve seen. I already played with the thought of selling my RED hydros in anticipation of something more ergonomically fitting for me… either rival/force axs or the new red axs.
I’m interested in building a 1x setup with SRAM components, but I’m struggling to find a suitable cassette. I ideally want a combination like a 52-36 chainring with an 11-34 cassette.
Campagnolo’s Ekar 10-44 or 9-36 cassettes would be perfect for me due to their closely spaced gears on the lower end, and gaps at the higher part of the cassette don’t bother me.
But among Sram cassettes with tight gaps there is maximum 10-36 (52-36 with 11-28 analogue) , and then 10-44 XPLR (52-36 with 11-34 analogue) with 2 tooth gaps at lower part of the cassette what I’m not happy with.
Is there a 12-speed cassette on the market with a similar gear range and close spacing to Campagnolo Ekar?