Gravel and adventure bikes ask a lot from their rear derailleurs—long-travel suspension, rough terrain, massive gear ranges, and now wireless shifting all running through one mechanism. The Force XPLR AXS E1 rear derailleur handles all of it while adding a thirteenth gear to the cassette range, giving you ratios that weren't possible with 12-speed systems.

The E1 designation means this derailleur works exclusively with SRAM's 13-speed XPLR cassettes and the updated AXS shifting protocol. You can't run it with 12-speed cassettes—the indexing and cable pull ratios are different. That's not a limitation, it's just how the system works. If you're building up a new gravel bike or converting from mechanical, you'll need the matching 13-speed cassette and an E1-compatible shifter to complete the system.

SRAM built the XPLR derailleur around their Orbit fluid damper, which maintains chain tension over rough terrain without the harshness of a friction clutch. The damper keeps the chain quiet and secure whether you're descending chunky gravel or spinning on smooth pavement. It's particularly noticeable when you're out of the saddle on rough climbs—the chain stays put instead of bouncing around.... Read More