SRAM's Force AXS E1 crankset is the 2x version of the redesigned Force crankset that arrived with the latest generation of the Force AXS groupset, sitting between Red AXS above and Rival AXS below in SRAM's road hierarchy. The crank arms have been redesigned and are 60 grams lighter than the previous version, and they continue to use a DUB spindle and are now available in 160 mm through 175 mm crank lengths. If you're building up a road bike with the new Force AXS group or replacing the crankset on a previous-generation Force build, this is the direct spec.

The crank pairs with 46/33T, 48/35T, or 50/37T chainring combinations, and X-Range gearing keeps cadence changes during a front shift to the minimum, maximizing your ability to put power down on climbs, descents and flats. The tighter jumps between rings compared to a traditional 50/34 compact mean you're not hunting for a usable gear after a front shift — the cadence change stays small enough that you can shift under load without disrupting your effort. The 46/33T setup gives you climbing gears that used to require a triple, while the 50/37T covers flatter terrain and faster group rides.

The chainrings use a one-piece 2x direct-mount design rather than a traditional spider with bolt-on rings. That construction is stiffer and lighter than a bolted assembly, but it does mean that changing chainring sizes requires swapping the entire chainring unit rather than individual rings. Plan the gearing you want before you buy — going from 48/35T to 50/37T later means a new chainring assembly, not just an inner or outer ring.... Read More