SRAM Red vs Force vs Rival AXS Cassette (12-speed)

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SRAM Red vs Force vs Rival AXS Cassettes
SRAM Red vs Force vs Rival AXS Cassettes

The page compares the differences between the 12-speed SRAM Red AXS, Force AXS, and Rival AXS cassettes.

SRAM cassette sizes

The 12-speed SRAM Red AXS, Force AXS, and Rival AXS cassettes are available in various sizes, according to the table below.

  • Red AXS cassettes have a higher gearing ratio and are targeted toward racers.
  • Force AXS is the intermediate option with four cassette size options for racers and everyday riders.
  • Rival AXS are available in lower gear ratios and suited for the steepest terrains and everyday riders.
Red AXSForce AXSRival AXS
ModelCS-XG-1290-D1CS-XG-1270-D1CS-XG-1250-D1
10-26TYesYes
10-28TYesYes
10-30TYes
10-33TYesYes
10-36TYesYes
Retail price (USD)$377$195$132
Retail price (EUR)€401€200€132
Where to buyAmazon
Competitive Cyclist
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Amazon
Competitive Cyclist
Amazon
Competitive Cyclist
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SRAM Red AXS, Force AXS, and Rival AXS cassette sizes

SRAM cassette weight comparison

While SRAM cassettes are one-piece, the way the cassette is constructed varies.

  • Red AXS cassettes are machined out of a single steel block.
  • Force AXS cassettes use a mini cluster design, where the four smallest cogs (10, 11, 12, 13) are machined from a single steel block. The remaining eight cogs are pinned together.
  • Rival AXS cassettes have a pinned design where all 12 cogs are pinned together.

The Red AXS cassette is ~50g lighter than its’s Force AXS equivalent, while Force AXS is ~30g lighter than its Rival equivalent. There is no crossover between Red and Rival AXS cassettes.

Cassette sizeRed AXSForce AXSRival AXS
10-26T175g222g
10-28T183g236g
10-30T283g
10-33T211g266g
10-36T310g338g
SRAM Red AXS, Force AXS, and Rival AXS cassette weight

SRAM cog sizes

The first six cogs (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15T) have one-gear jumps for all cassette sizes except 10-36T.

The wider the cassette range, the bigger the gear jumps for the larger cogs.

Cassette sizeCog sizesRange
10-26T10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26T260%
10-28T10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24, 28T280%
10-30T10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 27, 30T300%
10-33T10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 28, 33330%
10-36T10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 28, 32, 36360%
SRAM Red AXS, Force AXS, and Rival AXS cog sizes
Alex Lee at Mr.Mamil

Alex Lee is the founder and editor-at-large of Mr. Mamil. Coming from a professional engineering background, he breaks down technical cycling nuances into an easy-to-understand and digestible format here.

He has been riding road bikes actively for the past 12 years and started racing competitively in the senior category during the summer recently.