Original SRAM Red eTap 11-speed rear derailleurs get an AXS-like upgrade

Written by Tyler Benedict Sep 17, 2020 11:35 a.m. ET

new SRAM eTap AXS 11-speed rear derailleur

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Got a first generation SRAM Red eTap wireless shifting group? Need a new derailleur? Or just want better chain management?

SRAM has quietly released an updated eTap rear derailleur for their original wireless road group, and it gets some of the best AXS features. But it’s still only for their 11-speed group. So, you get the looks of the latest 12-speed AXS, but will only work with the original eTap 11-speed shifters.

OK, so why?

SRAM told us that, from a production standpoint, it just made more sense to use the updated tech and design. And that’s good news for anyone needing to replace their rear mech…this one is much better.

The shifting motor is faster and more precise. it gets X-Sync ceramic bearing pulleys. But best of all, it adds their Orbit hydraulic damping “clutch” to the pulley cage. We shot some killer slow motion in our AXS launch video that shows how well it works. Check out the full AXS launch coverage for more details on all of that tech.

To be clear, this one gets many of the AXS unit’s physical features, but does not operate on the AXS wireless signal and will not work with the AXS smartphone app. It’s only a replacement for the original’s eTap shifting system.

It fits up to a 32t cog with their WiFLi mid-cage option, and a short cage is offered, too. Retail starts at $649 (€593 / £529, including VAT), available now.

(UPDATE: This story originally published with images of the first generation eTap derailleur and has been updated with correct photos of the new unit and additional information on compatibility)

SRAM.com

Tyler Benedict

11,186 articles

Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com. He has been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for almost two decades. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel to killer riding locations throughout North America.

Based in North Carolina, Tyler loves family adventure travel and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part to make his bikes faster and lighter.

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Ron

3 years ago

They would rather do this than the small amount of effort to release 1 x 12 mechanical… eyes rolling.

-1

Seraph

3 years ago

Reply to Ron

I don’t think that this is a cop out. I’m sure that SRAM is still working on 12-speed acoustic road groupsets.

Thesteve4761

3 years ago

Reply to Seraph

Mechanical. It’s not acoustic.

-5

tyni tyres

3 years ago

‘This’ (I believe) is just their current RD with different firmware and different pulleys. Very little effort was required.

patrick

3 years ago

I still think they could get some traction with an etap RD capable of 11 speed 10-42 cassettes.

Seraph

3 years ago

Reply to patrick

The old-gen 11-speed eTap derailleur will fit a 42t cog with a Wolf Tooth Road Link. I imagine the same is true about this new one, albeit voiding the warranty I’m sure.

SupaSarge

3 years ago

Reply to Seraph

Hello @Seraph do you know if that’s an effective set up? And which 11-42t cassette would work in that solution?

OriginalMV

3 years ago

Hey Tyler,

you wrote the article about the new AXS-look to the 11sp Red eTap derailleur (“A2” model) and then used the pic of the old “A1” short cage and the WiFli version of the same. So that’s an unfortunate mistake.

One point you should clarify, especially as this article (as of right now) is using pix of the short and medium cage version of the original Red eTap derailleurs, is that there is only one version of the new A2 derailleur. That makes sense because the older short-cage derailleur worked with cassettes up to 11-28 and the new AXS 12sp works up to 10-33, so there is no need to have a separate “WiFli” (medium-cage) derailleur to work with the largest 11sp Red cassette (11-32).

A more subtle question concerns the idea that SRAM uses the “AXS” moniker to describe the wireless interactivity and integration of the newest SRAM wireless drivetrains and systems including the Reverb AXS dropper post. Up till now the 11sp eTap is NOT part of that family, meaning that one cannot use the AXS smartphone app to interact/tune the drivetrain.

The SRAM website makes no mention of AXS with the A2 derailleur, so I assume that this new eTap derailleur is not accessible through the AXS app. I guess I’ll call SRAM tech later today to clarify.

Seraph

3 years ago

Reply to OriginalMV

All of your points are correct. The article is actually pretty confusing.

What it should be saying is that SRAM released an updated AXS-style eTap 11-speed derailleur, in one cage length, that adds a fluid clutch and up to a 32t cassette cog compatibility.

OriginalMV

3 years ago

Reply to Seraph

An additional question to ask is whether the new A2 derailleur blocks shifting into the 1st position cog when in the inner ring of a double drivetrain, in the same way that the eTap AXS 2×12 setups react. The original eTap 11sp derailleurs will allow the small x small combo.

OriginalMV

3 years ago

Reply to OriginalMV

So I can confirm that the A2 derailleur shifts on 11 cogs regardless of the position of the front derailleur, and it does seem to faster shifting than the A1 derailleur. I haven’t had the opportunity to test it as a 1x, but I think I might be able to cheat the quoted max cog limit of 33T.

Brian

3 years ago

Reply to OriginalMV

Hi Original MV. Was your previous rear mech the wifli version? If so how does the A2 compare side by side? Is the cage the same length?

Author

Tyler Benedict

3 years ago

Reply to OriginalMV

Correct, the original images were the old one, they’ve been corrected with the new one and a side-by-side comparison…sorry about that. I’ve reached out to SRAM for clarification on the other questions inside this article. And yes, I’ve asked them about 12-speed mechanical, and they’re aware of the demand and interest, and I’m pressing them to answer in their own words…hold, please.

Jamie

3 years ago

The photos in the article show just the old wifli cage and short cage derailleurs, not the updated one.

SRAM AXS Derailleur – App compatable
SRAM Etap Derailleur – Not app compatable

AXS is not backwards compatable with the new A2 derailleur.

retro_slouch

3 years ago

It’s mechanical, not acoustic.

Cleo

3 years ago

Reply to retro_slouch

Amen!

Seraph

3 years ago

Reply to retro_slouch

It’s electric, not acoustic.

tyni tyres

3 years ago

Yeah, that had me confused. You could get acoustic electronic RDs that listened to the chain.

Jason

3 years ago

so what’s now with a mechanical 1×12?
Still no response from SRAM up to now…

Seraph

3 years ago

Reply to Jason

Not uncommon for companies to keep their new stuff under wraps. I imagine it’s coming though, along with mid-gear-range AXS cassettes.

JIME

3 years ago

I have installed a 12 speed Force AXS ground on a bike running a 11speed 11/32 cassette. Shift with no issues

Frelon

3 years ago

Reply to JIME

can you elaborate please. I’m looking to use an etap AXS with 11 speed cassette. I can’t find any information on the web if this mix can be done.

Iburain

2 years ago

Reply to JIME

JIME,great to hear that! I’d like to change (at first) the right shifter and RD to AXS on an 11-speed disc-brake bike in order to get a second shifter on the aero bars. But without changing freehubs of two wheelsets (50€ each) and buying 2 cassettes for 140€ each. Further, I see no benefit in 12 speed on road.12 speed is all fine for cyclocross and MTB. But that’s a different story.

Stefan

3 years ago

The old 11-speed eTap is working fine with a 11-36t cassette on a 2x system (Chainrings 30/46). Which is great steep hills. Having a clutch in the derailleur makes ist a great gravel setup.

Bart Bart

3 years ago

analog groupset

Fernando

3 years ago

Olá as manetes antigas etap continuam a funcionar com o novo desviador?

Brian McGill

3 years ago

I’d love to see an 11-50 RD compatible with the original etap system so I can have a mullet build. It’s never going to happen though ☹️

Paolo

3 years ago

Has anybody experience in shifting speed compared to the old red A1? I am annoyed of the slow shifting speed but not willing to upgrade the whole groupset to axs. With a like speed to the actual axs I would go with the new A2

Grohl

3 years ago

Acoustic.

Cesar

2 years ago

I have the first generation of sarm red etap 22. The problem i am having now is, it keeps on disconnecting from the blip box or vice versa.
It does work when paired and works normal. But after couple of minutes of inactivity, i cannot shift or do anything from the blips or from the box itself. I have to do the pairing again. But again, it is just kept on disconnecting after certain time of inactivity.

Is there anyone had this problem?
Is the new axs blip box will work as replacement to the first generation blip box?
Thanks.