SRAM's Rival XG-1250 is the entry point into the 12-speed AXS road cassette lineup, and it's where the FULL PIN construction and X-Range gearing that show up on Force and Red make their way down to the value tier. FULL PIN technology uses eleven lightweight, stamped cogs held together with 123 high-strength stainless steel pins , which keeps the cassette stiff enough to shift cleanly under load without the machining cost of the Force XG-1270 or the alloy spider of the Red XG-1290. If you're building a Rival AXS drivetrain — or replacing a worn cassette on one — this is the direct fit.

The 10-tooth start cog is what defines X-Range. SRAM's X-Range design employs smaller chainrings with a consistent 13T difference while giving the cassettes a 10-tooth start for a wider range, up to 10-36 or 360%, which means you can stay on the same ring longer, requiring fewer front shifts, which are inherently less efficient than rear shifts . On a 2x setup with 46/33 chainrings paired with the 10-36, you get a gear range that covers flat-road cruising and steep gravel climbs without needing a compact or mid-compact chainring swap.

Two configurations are offered. The 10-30 uses a 10-11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-24-27-30 progression aimed at road riders who want tight cadence control across the middle of the cassette. The 10-36 steps out to 10-11-12-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32-36 , which is the version most Rival AXS 1x gravel builds run. Both share the same shift ramps and cog spacing philosophy — the difference is where you land on the climbing end.... Read More