SRAM's Force AXS E1 2x HRD Groupset arrives as a complete wireless drivetrain package that slots into the gap between Rival and Red in their road hierarchy. You're getting the same AXS wireless protocol that runs across SRAM's entire electronic lineup, which means the shifters, derailleurs, and battery system communicate without wires and pair with the AXS app for customization. The E1 designation indicates this is their latest revision, incorporating refinements to shift logic and hood ergonomics that address feedback from the previous generation.

The hydraulic disc brake system pairs Force-level calipers with DOT fluid and 160mm rotors front and rear. Lever reach adjusts without tools, and contact point adjustment lets you dial in where the bite engages relative to lever travel. The hoods themselves received an ergonomic update in the E1 generation, with a slightly reshaped profile that improves hand position during extended rides in the hoods.

What's not included matters as much as what is. SRAM ships this groupset without a crankset or cassette, which sounds like an omission until you consider the flexibility it creates. If you're running a power meter crankset you want to keep, this setup lets you do exactly that. If you have specific gearing preferences or want to spec your own cassette range, you're not paying for components you'll immediately swap out.... Read More