Our groupset manufacturer of choice. SRAM Started producing groupsets 25 years ago and have always aimed to be at the forefront of development. In recent years the introduction of the SRAM AXS fully wireless 12 speed groupset has completely changed the game, the groupsets are now available in three tiers, Red, Force and Rival and in single or double chainring configurations.

SRAM ROAD groupsets

SRAM’s road groupsets have countless features to help you personalise your shifting but for us, the main reason for using SRAM is the durability, wireless technology and the gear ratio’s on offer. The groupsets are fully wireless meaning no cables between mechs/batteries/levers which saves weight, improves aerodynamics and aesthetic while remaining cost effective and practical. The battery can be removed/replaced in seconds and takes just 1 hour to fully charge, once charged it should last for around 40 hours riding time. The electronic shifting can also be customised via the SRAM AXS app and with a stream of software updates the groupset function is constantly improving.

The gear ratio range and options are another key feature of the SRAM Road range. In our experience a 48-35T chainset combined with 10-33T cassette is optimal for 95% of riders on 95% of terrain. The 35-33T at the lower end is enough to get up majority of the steepest climbs while the 48-10 is equivilant to a 53-11T so you’ll never run out of gears. SRAM also offer 46-33T, 50-37T chainset options and 10-28, 10-30T and 10-36T cassette options for if the terrain is more extreme. The ratio of the cassette’s are well thought out as well, the slightly concave shape ensures you have a small jumps between gears on the flat and larger jumps for when you hit the climbs. The 10-33T cassette effectivley has the same range as an 11-36T 11 speed cassette but with much tighter jumps (just 1 tooth between each of the top 6 gears).

The wider range and cassette shape also opens up the option for 1X on road without compromising on jumps between gears or gear range. A 48T front chainring combined with 10-33T rear gives you the same gear range as a 2X 11 speed set up with 53-39 and 11-26T. The 1X set up will be lighter, more aero and cheaper with zero compromise on jumps between gears.

Finally, one thing you can guarentee with the new SRAM AXS groupsets is durability. It doesn’t matter if you’re riding in the wet or on rough terrain the components are built to last. The wireless groupsets are into their 3/4th iteration meaning it is the most refined electronic groupset on the market. All components come with a 2 year warranty.

SRAM XPLR and mullet Gravel groupsets

SRAM introduced the XPLR range back in 2021 which aimed to provide the perfect setup for hitting the trails. The XPLR range shares the same levers, chainset and chain from the road range but comes with a different rear mech that is capable of taking a 10-44T (or 10-36T) cassette designed to be run 1X. The wide range on the cassette is designed to give a full range of gears for all-terrain and the tight ratio at the bottom of the cassette means there are small jumps between gears when riding on flatter terrain.

SRAM can also be setup using a ‘mullet’ setup meaning road shifters and crankset combined with mountain bike rear mech, cassette and chain. The benefit of this is immense durability of the rear mech and an even wider gear range. The GX, X01 and XX1 mech’s are designed to take knocks and bounce back into place which can be useful when testing the limits of what is capable off-road on a drop bar bike. The cassette is a 10-50T or 10-52T which provides a huge range of gears. It can be set up with a small 40 or 42T chainring to give an incredibly easy climbing gear, useful for bike packing or really steep gradients off-road.