New 13spd SRAM Red XPLR AXS: in-depth review & full details

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Weights and prices (US/EU/UK) are in the description. And I apologize for the blown-out audio! Of all videos to screw that up on... Sheesh! Thanks for your patience on that.

[@TimR123]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney LOL. I thought it was my end.

[@michaelnewman4302]

Ben, everybody on KZbin has this today. But I'm going to watch yours first, because you're the guy that first showed us this on Bottas' bike at Unbound. Keep up the great work.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks!

[@ivanb141993]

I am a Shimano fan for years and years, and that's all I've used...but I gotta say Sram is killing it lately. This looks great.

[@3TZZZ]

SRAM is definitely innovating, but as above, in their proprietary dominance they’re also alienating many. SRAM was once the most cross compatible groupset. Now with Transmission and UDH you can’t have a mullet set up and you can’t use it on any bike without a UDH rear drop out. Huge opportunity for Shimano (or someone else). I think SRAM are shooting themselves in the foot.

[@evanm.2300]

I was a shimano fan of everything, but now only there pedals and sometimes there brakes . I love me some sram drivetrain e tap and I want this but I hop E13 makes a cassette for it that is 9- 48

[@tkc5793]

Their*

[@WordupG]

@@3TZZZwhy can’t you have a mullet? Is there something preventing these new Red levers from working with a GX, XO, or XX Transmission derailleur? My Force levers work just fine with XO Transmission.

[@3TZZZ]

@@WordupG Because SRAM Red XPLR Transmission is 13 speed and only works with one SRAM cassette 10-46 XPLR Transmission. All other SRAM is 12 speed.

[@matthew-tse]

Best video so far on the new SRAM XPLR group set. I like your opinions that seem grounded from a rider's perspective.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thank you.

[@alexgleeson3634]

Love your perspective Ben! You're the always the first video I click on.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thank you. I'm going to go watch Ray and David's videos now and see what those fellas have to say.

[@pandatactical4530]

Running the 12 speed Transmission in a Mullet setup on my Siegla and love it!

[@kestralrider313]

I'm running the transmission mullet on my Seigla and agree that it's near perfect setup. This 13spd is interesting but no features worth considering changing the mullet setup.

[@mediaburn2]

Such a good bike. I’m surprised we are not seeing more tire clearance across the board.

[@drill_fiend1097]

GX Mullet is the sweet spot.

[@Mr_Zzzeee]

@@kestralrider313 what is the shift speed like?

[@kestralrider313]

@@Mr_Zzzeee Can't speak to Shimano speeds because I no longer buy/ride shimano groupsets, but the Force transmission Mullet is a slightly slower than my Red non-transmission mullet, but I would trade the milliseconds of delay for the bombproof shifting on transmission. You can literally shift up the cogs under full torque without those awful noises and skipping that make you worry you're breaking something, it just pops onto the new cog regardless of what power your putting down. Any new gravel/MTB I buy in the future will have some type of AXS Transmission.

[@Gufolicious]

Your reviews are miles above the competition sir!

[@aisakup]

Just wanted to point out SRAM also makes a 2x gravel drivetrain in the forms of Force and Rival with the Wide RD and with the wide band-on derailleur mount from SRAM, for a bike with a round seat tube you, should also be now be able to build a Wide 2X Red setup with the new Red Wide Cranks + road chainrings + road derailleurs and levers. SRAM is crushing it with the modularity of what they offer.

[@jok658]

Your channel is literally the first place I go to for new stuff🎉

[@ezclimb1]

Thank you for being the first one to explain why my T-Type Eagle RD is so freaking slow to shift! My old Eagle AXS was so much faster. Now I get it.

[@defiancecycling]

Hey Ben, I hope you're continuing to heal up. I really like what SRAM is doing these days. I have extensive experience with Shimano GRX Di2 11 speed. I used an XTR 11-40 cassette. It worked but occasionally I had issues. I then changed to a SRAM mullet build with a 44T and 10-52. Super happy with that set up. I am going to try Red XPLR on more of a road bike set up. Enve Fray with a 46T with the 10-46 cassette. We have plenty of steep climbs in the Appalachian Mountains. I'm hoping this will be the unicorn set up! Keep up the great content.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Appalachia took a hit with this storm. Hope you and everyone are okay.

[@joeybrown744]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Thank you! I'm in the very northeast corner of northeast Georgia. We had tons of trees down, wide spread power outages, and some flooding. Just up the road in WNC is a different story though. No adequate words to describe the situation there.

[@dominikd4775]

Pretty nice to see you riding my home terrain. Hope you enjoyed Bavarian gravel!

[@cycodre]

I'm here for the amazing ride videos! The new tech is nice but not really needed when you have scenery like that! Give me old stuff because I'd rather spend money on getting to all the beautiful places you show! Thanks Ben!

[@teleman2738]

Hello Ben, new subscriber here! This may be the best review of ANY product I have ever watched on KZbin! Thank you for all the details!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thank you for subscribing. ✌️

[@sterlingmorris5827]

Excellent walk thru and appreciate your candor on bike people selling us all more stuff ..

[@richhoward7050]

Great review, even though you seem to still prefer 2x. SRAM have to be applauded for building the 1x gravel market despite the obvious compromise: you can only choose TWO of these three options: 1) go fast on the flats/downhills 2) small jumps between gears or 3) easy climbing gears

[@TheMirrorVision]

Love the review as always! The audio was clipping/distorting a lot towards the beginning so it may be time for a new mic or hopefully just checking the audio before the next one :)

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Yeah, sorry about that. I screwed up the gain somehow. 🙃

[@gregweever5895]

Great job on this one, not gonna lie. I’m always a 2X guy but this interest me for sure. Except the cross chain part

[@robertsonfamilyfarm9126]

That crux with wide rims zipp / tires and the new 13 speed red , looks great , hopefully sram releases the force soon in 13 speed transmission/xplr axs kom kudos version for us regular humans

[@WayneCouyon]

Cassette, 288g - $600 / €675 / £600 I laughed. But the 303 XPLR S seems like a very good value for 1100 euros for the set with those rim specifications and 1600 gr weight. Edit: if I would go through one cassette+chain+ brake rotors+pads+a couple pair of good gravel tires, thats easily north of a thousand euros per year. That's more than I have to spend on servicing my 12 year old car (doing about 10k km per year). Insane.

[@BostilCensurado]

I just mounted a whole 1x 11 speed 11-46 groupset on one of my bikes for 45$

[@joelv4495]

Ya it's crazy to pay that much for a consumable... Then again I don't ride enough to truly wear out a cassette.

[@pierrex3226]

Hahaha 675 euro for a cassette :D

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Pretty bummed about my standard 303 S wheelset that's fairly new😂

[@veganpotterthevegan]

​@@joelv4495 a lot of the early buyers own +$10,000 watches. If you ask them what time it is, they'll check their phone while holding it with their watch hand😂

[@MAEBikr]

I would love them to make the same cassette with a 10-50 top. That way running a 44 front - you have lots of options and a great spread. Maybe they will do on Force or rival going forward

[@WordupG]

My guess is we will see that range on a future 13-speed mountain groupset, rather than XPLR. But yeah, that’s the one I’d choose for sure.

[@bam0505]

Get a SRAM transmission. I don’t see appeal of this over the transmission RD…. With that you could just have 2 chain rings and chains if you really wanted

[@KevinLimSG]

Ben’s the man! Watching the RED XPLR walkthru all the way even though the audio sounded kinda wonky 😅

[@tc4724]

Austria, colarado, belgium : mate you are living the life : great review

[@JoeMinock]

Testing it on another bike I cant tell you about yet you say… Yep, looking forward to hearing about that new Trek Checkmate

[@elefantehuber]

Ben you are a blessing ❤

[@ynie1]

Thanks for the great review. Going to get this with lauf when that’s available!

[@williammorris4419]

Also living here in Colorado and being older and weaker than you, Ben, I'd be more interested in having at least a 48t in the rear or just use a mullet 12 speed. Seems logical to me for Sram to offer a second cassette for this with several teeth more on the two largest cogs, instead of a 10,11,12,13,14t spread at the tall end. I'd like to suggest a 10,11,12,14,16,18,21,24,28,32,37,42,48T in my ideal world :-) Slightly lower gears with less gaps at the low end and tight enough at the tall end. I'm sure with your charming personality and powerful influence you can pull this off for me. Thanx in advance.. ;-)

[@davidvonslingshot]

I can't wait for UDH technology to catch up to frame manufacturing...... we are getting there but a long way to go!

[@3TZZZ]

I can’t wait for someone to invent an actual UDH, that is compatible with any frame and all groupsets. Currently the so-called UDH standard is not universal at all, it’s exclusive.

[@WordupG]

@@3TZZZnot possible. This is a generational shift, much like when Shimano moved the entire industry from freewheel to freehub. I doubt we will see many new models of bike frames released without a UDH, and for good reason. It is completely backwards compatible for Luddites, and carries all the advantages of SRAM Transmission technology.

[@thegearstash8578]

My Enve Mog is UDH

[@peteransel2715]

Ben, Great review as always! I feel all the top bike reviewers like yourself, David Arthur, etc. are understandably a bit jaded, because you're always around these top spec bikes. These bikes are now north of $15,000! It would be fascinating to know how many bikes at this price point each manufacturer actually makes and sells. I'm always curious if a Ducati SuperSport 950 costs exactly the same ($15,495), how do the production/sales numbers compare?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thank you. That's a good question, and I don't have a precise answer. SRAM and Shimano have told me over the years that their second- and third-tier groups sell more than their top-end offerings, in terms of OE spec. And there's probably some different weightings by brand; I'd think Colnago sells more high-end models and Giant sells more affordable bikes.

[@chuckfrizzell8668]

Hello Ben. I bought a Giant Revolt Advance yesterday based on your video “Top five Gravel bikes for 2023”. It has already surprised me with how smooth it rides and how well it handles on our Colorado Springs gravel roads. If I can pass along your positive influence to Giant, let me know how to do that. All the best.

[@Allride_]

Can't wait for your video on the new trek checkpoint. Hoping it gets more tire clearance and there's a Red XPLR spec at the SL level so that I can keep the bike packing mounts I'm used to from my 2020 checkpoint SL5 and have the latest tech for the few races I do in a year

[@chrisjong8412]

Tell James Huang we miss him in the industry, I hope we hear again from him

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

James is still plugging away on IG: instagram.com/angryasian

[@flouserfehler]

Awesome detailed review! Thanks Ben 😎

[@annaleykiste]

Love your attitude about this bag and not caring about what people will say. kislux You are right keep your head up and no your priorities.

[@martinnavarre745]

I compared the gears to my previous 2x11 Ultegra and current 1x12 Red AXS. I'm coming from road perspective where the climbing gears are used for long periods (800m - 1200m climbs). For my fitness and range of cadence ... my ideal is a low gear between 1:1 and 1:1.1 ... with 1:1.02 perhaps ideal (44 x 43). On the top end, my ideal is 4.4:1 (44 x 10). My ideal cassette would be: 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 23, 26, 30, 34, 38, 43 (or 44). Paired to 44t ring. There is a gap in the market between road gears (36t cassette) and gravel/MTB gears (46t +). I wish that SRAM or aftermarket would fill the gap. One idea is to make the aluminum gears replaceable in the same way as the chainring.

[@marksmith3089]

Awesome work BD 🤘🏻🤘🏻🦖🧀

[@adamcoppock5018]

UDH on my gravel bike was the most underwhelming bit of innovation I have felt on a bike for a long time. Definitely a product of business objectives over customer needs. 1x 13 electric is a great idea 🙌 thanks for another great review

[@WordupG]

Did you install Transmission on it, or a traditional drivetrain? If the latter, yeah, I can see why. Although it’s cool to be able to get a perfect replacement hanger for your weird/boutique frame brand in just about any bike shop in the world for $15.

[@adamcoppock5018]

@@WordupG my Lauf came with a UDH system. I could barely notice any performance gains. In the last 35 years of riding bikes I have replaced my gear hangers a whopping 1 time. 👍

[@wenisman]

it should be noted that in the event of a crash or knock the derailleur has a clutch and moves out of the way so damage to the hanger/cage is greatly reduced and there is less damaging forces transmitted to the frame. This is taken from the mountain bike and there is many examples of this system already,

[@terrillford7784]

Well indepth review Ben

[@kevinhawker2946]

Gr8 review! Death knell for Campag Ekar? Hope not!

[@jimmyp7638]

Very interesting review. Thanks.

[@markanderson7412]

Great review and clear info thanks, Been looking forward for this, hopefully more cassette options are coming, ditch the odds and keep the evens all the way to a 10-52 And make the jumps shallower Much prefer to run a larger front ring 46/aero 48 But that wheelset just setting a great new standard what is the skinniest tyre it can run? Cheers dude 🍻

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

For the 10-52 you can run the Mullet setup with an Eagle derailleur and cassette. With the straight parallelogram derailleurs, the cassette sizes are fixed. Zipp recommends tires in the 40-60mm range for the 303 XPLR with its massive 32mm internal. There is so much there I have to leave it for a separate video. Thanks.

[@markanderson7412]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Thanks ben for the reply, yep doing a mullet on current setup 👍but now 13 speeds why not just do even steps and shallower all up to the 52 so they are not so gapped Not so clunky and get to 52 get a big one up front for the go fast

[@elbowspeak]

Eager for the new hoods/levers and derailleur, but I'll wait for the Rival version in a couple years (?)

[@Hintonbro.]

Only invitee from the US? That’s quite the honor! 👍

[@sccxvelo]

Maybe lucked out with my 2017 raliegh rx 2.0 frame as it looks as the frame could take UDH. Good idea to have the RD body tucked in away more from possible side damage as the bike is moving through tighter sections of trail or no other choice but that line. Just have to wait till it gets down to rival level in 1-2 years to upgrade from 1x11 mechanical shift/disc brake or go for grx 2x12. Rear only takes a 40mm depending on tread but the rest is good for fast gravel/CX bike tires.

[@mikecardwell6497]

I will be waiting till they come out with a twoby .i currently have a Giant Revolt and am very happy with it. Love your videos , keep them coming.

[@millermiller75]

Is the chainring centered withe the cassette? How do they fit 13 gears if they didn’t shrink the spacing?

[@chrisu3137]

Could you use this as a mullet setup with the older Eagle AXS cassette/chain?

[@racittaj]

Insane tech!

[@samhunter6813]

13! What will they think of next?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

To infinity, and beyond!

[@Forestlover22298]

Extra extra! 14 speed Red AXS coming 2028!

[@galenkehler]

Back when we were running 11spd, the math worked out to having a 14spd 1x setup being equivalent in range and fine spacing. So we're still 1 shy of that

[@kestralrider313]

Great video as usual. I don't see anything in the list of improvements to make me consider changing out my eagle mullet gravel configuration, which I love. I hoped that sram would have made the rear was made 12spd backwards compatible but maybe the change in ramps from eagle prevent this. I think I'd still prefer shifting under power to speed for my shifting preference.

[@Forstus]

a good ride it was in Austria

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Yes, sir! Thanks for leading us. 🤜🤛

[@gastonpiche8674]

Thank you for another informative and detailed video, have you reviewed the Scott Addict Gravel in the past? I could not find a vid on your channel.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Cheers. I have not reviewed the Addict Gravel, no. I will try to do so. I had an early Foil for a while, back in the rim-brake days. Fun stiff bike.

[@nateisright]

Very excited for electronic bibs but concerned about backwards compatibility with my mechanical jerseys.

[@konradchristen]

Super excited for the Rocky Mountain Review! Also curious if you have ever or will review an Alchemy?

[@hectormurciaruiz3820]

Hi Ben, I´m From and live in Honduras, Congrats for your videos!! they are great!!! i´m beginning in gravel bikes, and recently bougth a Rocky Mountain Solo, like the one on this video, when are you going to review this bike? Greetings from the beautiful Honduras. Sorry about my english!!!

[@jmscheel]

Great overview, @Ben. Answered a lot of my questions. And considerations for build if I want to continue to run a 48t Aero chainring. You gong to do a review on the Crux or is too same same?

[@jmscheel]

P.S. My 2025 Crux is already on the way.

[@AceMBP]

5Dev makes a "Mullet" adapter for some models... I have the past Crux and like the paint job.. hoping the adapter works well. I think they are sold out now. $180. Lick Skillet is stupid steep. I am popping wheelies going up on my MTB. For me going up Four mile or Sunshine is plenty steep for gravel setup.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks for calling out 5Dev - I had not heard of them. Will check them out.

[@WordupG]

I heard 5Dev gave up on that project as it wasn’t working as expected.

[@fookie-fone]

I love SRAM’s commitment to advancement in cycling tech, but I still have a preference for 2X on gravel. Di2 may have a slight edge for me.

[@thsaintful]

great video as always! but was something wrong with the audio quality? i heard a lot of crackling

[@N0BIgDEal]

I'm sold!

[@JosephDowski]

Some small company needs to come up with a way to implement UDH on existing non-UDH frames... Something similar to the folks at Robert Axle Project do for thru-axles.... :(

[@lukasparbst9655]

We will likely see this very soon. Lots of gravel pros have been using transmission on non-udh frames. They are using some sort of adapter that will probably make its way to the market

[@RyonBeachner]

5Dev has done this on a few frames, and sells them.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

@lukasparbst9655 Could you point me to some examples, please? The riders I have seen on XPLR have been on unreleased (or released today) UDH frames.

[@lukasparbst9655]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney I have seen a handful of SL8’s on instagram with transmission. Didnt save / dont follow them so hard to find but they somehow fit it on the new tarmac. Also regarding gravel it was definitely just the unreleased crux & unreleased xplr at the time. Also someone mentioned above that 5Dev made an adapter which I just saw online

[@lukasparbst9655]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaneyI have seen people on instagram with transmission on the tarmac sl8, dont follow / save the posts so cant find it now. Regarding gravel it was definitely the unreleased crux / xplr combo. Also as mentioned above 5Dev seems to have made an adapter which seems to be available to the public

[@williwacker2774]

Hope this will come to road (and Force/Rival level). A 10-39 cassette (existing 10-33 plus a 13th 39t cog, will it fit?) paired with a 44t or 42t crank would be a viable allround 1x road option for me. But wait, this will still need a UDH frame.

[@dtrg65]

you mentioned switching chainrings, but what about switching wheelsets? would you need to swap the chain? thinking of cyclocross where you need different wheels for different conditions.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

To switch wheels, you'd just need to port over the rotors and the cassette.

[@marcusrobinson6314]

Game changer!

[@sihatch670]

Very curious how that "full mount" style derailleur setup will be in wrecks. The derailleur is so dang beefy id be worried it'll snap the frame.

[@WordupG]

By all accounts, it’s incredibly strong. The thru axle significantly reinforces the structure so the frame isn’t taking as much impact as the old way of attaching.

[@JoseFLuis]

What size are the wheels 700 or 650b

[@nelsonglover3963]

I wonder if we'll see people putting this on XC bikes too, the shifting speed does look appealing compared to Transmission.

[@pr4fw]

Apparently it won’t work on boost frames. Specially for 142mm spacing

[@WordupG]

@@pr4fwthat’s weird. I was under the impression mountain Transmission works fine on 142mm frames. Why would it not work the other way around? The relationship between the derailleur and cassette should be the same on both standards.

[@pr4fw]

@@WordupGI thought the same thing

[@WordupG]

@@pr4fwwhere are you reading that it’s only for 142mm?

[@nelsonglover3963]

@@WordupG I've since seen that said in other reviews, I think the Escape Collective one

[@Danyenbici]

The reason I´m still stuck in 11s in a 2x system is I feel the chain lasts longer because i really use all the cogs in the cassette. Is the 13 speed chain last longer? how much does the cassette cost? Those are the questions I ask when upgrading and grx 2x11 chain and cassette are still 100dls both so it doesnt break the bank when you need to replace. Also requiring to change the chain with the front chainring is crazy... the whole point of having a 1x is choosing your size setup easy and now you need to change along with the chain, thats definetly a no go... Also 700dls for chain and cassette replacement no thanks.

[@barrowsworm1226]

Waxing is your friend if you want long drivetrain lifetime. With the expense of contemporary cassettes and chains, waxing is the only way to go.

[@WordupG]

Another option is just add a couple links and a second master link to make a longer chain if you need to size up the chainring. When installing a new chain, keep that little portion you broke off in case you need it later.

[@risesir]

For those of us with 12 speed, does your experience with a lack of derailleur hanger support a move to the stronger hangers like the titanium ones from Silca?

[@ResmeN]

I'm getting this group set on a titanium road bike. I do lots of road climbing. Not sure whether to go 44 or 46t chainring for the front?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I'd suggest you look at your current gear setup and compare with a chart like this: www.bikecalc.com/tables/gear-inches.html

[@andrewnicholas7410]

17:15. Hey look it’s me!

[@Omnis2]

Hey, is this kind of Alpine trip something that is a regular itinerary/tour that can be booked? This is literally what I would LOVE to do for a vacation, albeit on an e-bike for some of those climbs LOL

[@jaredhartman8670]

Wow. Snap On torque wrench… Noice!!!

[@tdsifers]

Can I buy just the the new 13-speed cassette and fit it on my 2023 SRAM RED XPLR without buying the whole derailleur? My frame doesn't support UDH but I would like to try the 13 speed.

[@blazacrew]

That group set would be great for racing XCO on m mtb bike

[@thomaserickson2591]

I'm still unclear on Eagle vs Xplr. Is there any advantage to the latter? I'm also riding in the Colorado front range and I can't see why I'd want to give up the range of Eagle. Seems like all the pros also opt for Eagle with the big aero chainring. Love the videos!

[@odinschneider7238]

Please tell me the new bike is a Canyon Grizl. That bike has needed an update, hopefully with frame storage, the new groupsets, and the grail handlebar.

[@andrewc662]

Any advantage other than one extra gear compared to an Eagle transmission. Because it seems like it would be a lot cheaper to go with a GX transmission paired with the Red Levers if you are upgrading.

[@mfa81]

New checkpoint 😎

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

🤔

[@robschafer2723]

Checkmate

[@adamhindle9215]

Great review Ben. But we didn't need 13. All you gain over the 12-speed Force/Rival is a 12 tooth cog (and 46 rather than 44 at the low end). So all that extra cost and incompatibility for one extra 12 tooth cog... yeah right. Plus if they'd stayed at 12 all the MTB Transmission mechs and cassettes would be compatible too, so anyone wanting 10-50 or 10-52 could join in. Dopey. Sram are killing it against Shimano but this was an own goal.

[@williammorris4419]

I agree with you. See my comment above.. I use a 12 speed here in Colorado and use every gear. I'd use a 13 cog setup but can't afford it. Not saying I need it. I'll wait another couple years till this technology had tricked down to the lower price end of the drivetrain offerings and then snag one. Paying $600-700 bucks for a cassette that will wear out in a few months with lots of use like I'd give it is not practical.

[@okatbikes4917]

Hi Ben, great video. Is it possible you could share the route SRAM took you on? i'm not too far away and would love to tackle that terrain :)

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Day 1: www.strava.com/activities/11681119309 Day 2: www.strava.com/activities/11689355828 Day 3: www.strava.com/activities/11697052980

[@jambig]

How did you like the Crux?

[@amitkumar-wj8gn]

I love that Sram is now taking a proper, unfiltered dump on people with shallow pockets. Marie Antoinette would be so proud. :)

[@EllasPOSEiDON]

With these prices they going to the level of unreasonable fantasyland.

[@williammorris4419]

@@EllasPOSEiDON totally agreed Sram is pushing potential clients to explore after market components and off brand name Chinese alternatives in cassettes for one, in gravel. I'm more interested in getting a Polish brand Garbaruk 12 speed 10-48t cassette that has two more teeth and a very nice spread between cogs, than spending more than 3 grand to have less range and spending more than 3 grand.

[@hill160881]

@@williammorris4419yep I got me a wheeltop eds and am running a rotor 13s 10/36 cassette. Went right on a Shimano hg hub. 2x13 for $1000. lol who has a 2x13? Oh right just me 😂

[@plain-bagel]

Are we pretending to be surprised by the price of the top-end groups just so we can complain?

[@benjaminauer]

not happy to see them going more into non derailleur hanger mount. i totally think they will eventually do this for their road groupsets as well. planning to use my titanium for 30 years, i have been quite happy with sram so far. dont want to change in the future :(

[@WordupG]

This is a generational bicycle design shift, like when Shimano single-handedly transformed the industry from freewheel to freehub. Fortunately UDH is completely backwards compatible.

[@MdBoj-n2v]

excellent

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

Great video and insight Ben! The main advantage a 1x system has over a 2x system has nothing to do with gears and shifting, it has to do with frame design, tire clearance, and better geometry due to no Front Derailleur. Unfortunately, no major companies are making a 1x specific gravel bike with proper geometry.

[@WordupG]

What geometry is that?

[@BlackWaterCyclist]

@@WordupG Shorter chainstay, better weight distribution, traction, and handling. I actually did a video weighing the front and rear of a bike with more traditional gravel geo with a custom Ti frame with 395mm chainstays with clearance for 47mm tires. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJSxnoGkgrmBrqM.

[@kangarif9166]

Will it increase the weight ?

[@duncanholman9034]

Transmission is plenty fast for gravel!

[@ErwinPfuhler]

QUESTION: How much effort does it take to change the chainring? I am considering to buy a bike with this brand new RED and I wonder whether I could change the chainring rather easily before a tour in the Alps. This might happen only once in a while, but it might be good to know. Btw. I really enjoyed this video, especially as I know the ride to Karwendelhouse from MTB riding.

[@cpopte]

Zipp is insane. Insane to keep it up with those crappy hookless rims. Just because they are "cheaper to produce" (all other reasons are bullshit). Thank but never hookless. The group is nice, but not necessary for most of us. Just nice. The bar looks great though. I like you, I like the channel. I like the straight and no bullshit way you talk. Subscribed.

[@adambarlev8992]

As soon as Ekar came out, I knew this was inevitable. I only hope Shimano doesn't screw up taking GRX to 13

[@brianmcinnis3886]

Thanks for yet another great review. I look forward to your straight forward approach, and insights. 🏆@TheRidewithBenDelaney

[@alexandretly]

So there is no derailleur hanger that can bend in case of a shock on the derailleur ?

[@WordupG]

Correct. However this is a much, much more robust design than how a traditional derailleur is mounted. It sandwiches the thru-axle and is very strong. So far MTB Transmission hasn’t resulted in any major frame catastrophes, as far as I’ve heard. Look up the destruction videos made by “Fanatik” bike shop to see what kind of abuse it can take.

[@benshane8455]

You say backward compatibility not a thing. Does that include even the shift levers?

[@DericO-rz3be]

SWEET... I'm going to upgrade my custom hand built carbon gravel bike with 80mm deep enve wheelset.. for Steamboat Gravel... I don't ride, but I'm a surgeon that wears glacier glasses while drinking lattes.. My wife loves all the mercedes and land rovers at Steamboat Gravel.... LoL

[@TimR123]

Any idea if they intend to offer a 10-50 or 10-52 setup or if they simply expect customers to continue to 'mullet' with a MTB RD?

[@WordupG]

I bet there will be a 13-speed MTB 10-52 version coming out next.

[@TimR123]

@@WordupG good point. Same spacing same chain. Why not. It could be as little as a firmware change (although I’m SURE it won’t be offered as a FW upgrade.)

[@jamesschwinghamer3163]

Does the crux have UDH? I thought it did not, is there a modification that needs to be made?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

It does now. They rolled out UDH on the DSW alloy bike first ($2,600 for the complete bike) and launched the S-Works today ($5k frameset; $12k complete).

[@robschafer2723]

Checkmate!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

👀

[@Camerooony11]

Does anyone know if this cassette could work with a modified non-UDH derailleur? Currently I have a Rival 1 mechanical derailleur with a Garbaruk cage (50t max), and installed the 12 speed Ratio kit so I can run the 10-44 XPLR cassette. Ratio also makes a 13 speed conversion kit that I think could be used for the 13 spd RED cassette.