New SRAM Red groupset: Lightest-ever, with faster shifting, but there’s one thing we just don’t understand

Sram has launched the new Red AXS groupset today, ending months of discussion and speculation on when it would officially appear. There have been sightings of the new groupsets since December 2022, as well as leaks and sightings here and there along the way. American manufacturer Sram also need not worry about having to wait for the new equipment to claim a victory on the road: Demi Vollering and Jonathan Milan have broken that particular duck already.

Sram launched its Red eTap AXS groupset in 2019, but somehow half a decade has passed since then and the time seems to be right for Sram to drop the ‘eTap’ name which won’t feature going forward and roll out a new generation of Sram Red AXS. 

Let’s get straight to it, price-wise, the groupset comes out at $4,200 with a power meter chainset and $3,700 with a non-PM chainset specced. That price will also include a new Hammerhead Karoo smart computer, (Sram owns Hammerhead) and we understand certain top-spec bikes with the groupset will also include the new Hammerhead computer. At time of launch there is no option to not buy the Hammerhead. This puts the new Sram Red AXS in between its two main competitors; Shimano Dura-Ace and Campagnolo Super Record WR price-wise.