Lucky 13? SRAM Red XPLR AXS, Zipp 303 XPLR & More

By Jason Mitchell on August 1, 2024

It was hard to hide SRAM's new Red XPLR AXS at Unbound this year. Pictures of the new gravel-optimized groupset have been seen on every major cycling publication since riders amassed in Emporia, Kansas at the end of May. While I wasn't at Unbound, I did get an advanced look at it behind closed doors while getting the Ari Suncrest all dialed in. Still, all the nitty-gritty details weren't readily available until the past few weeks when SRAM opened the kimono for a full look at their new top-end gravel groupset.

In short, SRAM is taking their longtime gravel groupset leadership and cranking it up to level 13 with an all-new 13-speed SRAM Red XPLR AXS kit for 2025. To go along with the new groupset, they are also launching Zipp 303 XPLR SW and S wheelsets with mega-wide internal widths, a new SL 70 XPLR drop bar and Goodyear XPLR tires too.

Let's take a little ride on the past 10 years of SRAM's gravel offerings. In 2015, I was part of the launch event with SRAM Force 1. Then, I tested SRAM Rival 1 on a Niner RLT 9 in 2019. Soon after that, I put a ton of miles on a SRAM Red/XX1 mullet kit on the 3T Exploro. Between then and now, I've had various iterations of Red, Force and Rival until settling on the Rival XPLR AXS kit that's been on the Open WI.DE. for a couple years now. In short, I feel like I've had the opportunity to thoroughly test every "gravel" option that SRAM has offered, which is why I'm so stoked on the advancements with the new Red XPLR AXS groupset.

2025 SRAM Red XPLR AXS Gravel Groupset - 13-speed - Full Kit — The full Red XPLR AXS kit goes 13-speed for 2025.

What elevates the new SRAM Red XPLR AXS?

Obviously, tops on that list is that it's 13-speed. Since riding the Campagnolo Ekar groupset when it was introduced, I anticipated SRAM and Shimano would follow suit. However, it took SRAM a lot longer than I thought it would. In fact, it's been four years since Campy launched their 13-speed mechanical gravel offering (which is fantastic, by the way).

To get to a 13-speed SRAM Red XPLR, their engineers had to work some magic, but most of that comes with the "Full Mount" rear derailleur that takes advantage of the extra space afforded with a direct mount to a UDH system. The resulting Red XPLR cassette offers a 10-46 range with smaller gaps between each cog (10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 28, 32, 38, and 46). Because of that extra space, existing SRAM 12-speed flat-top road chains all work with the new Red XPLR -- pretty amazing, actually.

SRAM Red XPLR AXS Full Mount rear derailleur and cassette. — The new Red XPLR AXS on the updated S-Works Crux.

Aside from going 13-speed, the new rear derailleur is optimized for road/gravel performance. As such, the slower shifting that has dogged AXS Transmission is said to be gone. SRAM engineers prioritized shifting speed here over shifting during load, which isn't needed as much on road or gravel. Riders need the fastest shifts possible at the higher speeds ridden on drop bar bikes. Additionally, setup is now even easier -- with no gap adjustments needed. See the detailed installation video for more details.

Pricing is definitely steep when buying the full kit. Expect to pay $3979 with the power meter and $3529 without for a full groupset. But, luckily, you don't have to pay that full price when going with a complete bike from all the major players, like the new Specialized S-Works Crux Red.

2025 Specialized S-Works Crux Red — The S-Works Crux is wicked-light and, expectedly-pricey at $12k.

While all the marketing hype is great, I'm anxiously awaiting some ride time on the new Red XPLR AXS. That looks to be in the cards soon, so stay tuned for a long-term review aboard a new gravel bike from one of the OG's in gravel (I can't say much more than that at the moment, but it's gonna be something special).

Zipp 303 XPLRSW Gravel Wheels & XPLR Inter Tire — Zipp 303 XPLRSW and Inter 45mm tires.

New Zipp gravel wheels and components

Not to be lost in the groupset news, SRAM is also launching all-new Zipp 303 XPLR SW and XPLR S wheelsets, an AXS-friendly Zipp SL 70 XPLR carbon drop bar and optimized Goodyear XPLR gravel tires. These two new wheelsets break the mold by offering gravel-specific designs, depths and widths. And, they will swallow SRAM's widest wheelsets, like the Zipp 353 NSW. In fact Zipp now definitively says that while those rims are still kosher for gravel, they are truly best-suited for road riding and racing.

Zipp 303 XPLR S Width -- 32mm Internal — 32mm internal swallows road wheels.

Looking at the specs of the 303 XPLR SW ($2100) and XPLR S ($1400) wheels, they are 32mm wide internally. Yes, you read that right -- these wheels approach and exceed DH rim widths while remaining fast and light at 1496 g (303 XPLR SW) and 1610 g (303 XPLR S). With that width, the wheels are built to support two new tires made by Goodyear (XPLR Inter 45 and XPLR Slick 40) and select compatible tires. Sidewalls end up being straight and fully-supported from a ride quality and aerodynamic perspective. Instead of a lightbulb shape, the XPLR tire and wheel combo delivers aerodynamic efficiencies not seen before in gravel land.

Zipp SL 70 XPLR Carbon Gravel Bars — The perfect gravel bar for total integration.

Lastly, the new Zipp SL 70 XPLR drop bar is built to deliver full integration of the entire Red XPLR ecosystem. Cables are run through grooves for easy routing and widths remain traditional with just the right amount of reach, drop and sweep. I still love the alloy SL 70 XPLR bars and can't wait to get some miles on these new hooks.

All images courtesy SRAM and Specialized Bicycles.