SRAM reveals its first 1x13 groupset: it is electronic, for gravel, and with direct frame mounting

Unanimously, the Unbound Gravel is the gravel test of the year and that's where brands showcase their most important innovations. This time it's SRAM that has surprised by equipping some of their official cyclists' bikes with a unique XPLR AXS 1x13v group. That's right, it's the first 13-speed (single chainring) electric SRAM group for gravel, using the T-Type direct mount to the frame that the brand already introduced in their MTB groups.

 

 

 

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SRAM's new bomb is an electronic group for gravel 1x13v with direct attachment to the T-Type frame

Several cyclists are using it in the Unbound Gravel, here you can see the bikes of Sofia Gomez and Keegan Swenson but there is no information yet and we only know what we can see in the images.

 At first glance, the group seems to be a combination of the latest technologies that SRAM uses in road and mountain biking. The levers and cranks resemble the recently introduced SRAM RED AXS for road, while in the rear derailleur and cassette we see something very similar to the Eagle Transmission from mountain biking.

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It's worth noting that SRAM's new Transmission system (T-Type) eliminates the traditional hanger that connected the rear derailleur to the frame, anchoring it directly to the frame.

This new type of derailleur is more durable, easy to set up, and completely changes the current paradigm as the shifting becomes smoother when there is more tension in the transmission.

In addition, this new SRAM XPLR AXS (if that's what it ends up being called) features a 13-speed cassette with what appears to be a 46t cog. If so, it would be the first 1x13 group from SRAM and one of the few on the market with this range of gears.

Given the level of finish of the group and SRAM's presentation, allowing several cyclists to already test it in front of everyone, it wouldn't be surprising if it were officially unveiled in the coming weeks.