New SRAM Drivetrain, Squishy Fork, and Carbon Wheels for Drop-Bar-Dirt Exploration Bikes

SRAM dropped new gravel bike gear including a dedicated drivetrain, dropper post, suspension fork, and wheel set.

SRAM is going hard in the paint for adventure components this summer with the launch of their XPLR Collection that includes a wireless 1X drivetrain, a new RockShox Rudy with 30-40mm of travel, and dirt-road loving wheels, tires, and handlebars from Zipp.

The electric-gravel drivetrains are available at the SRAM Red, Force, and Rival component levels, with 10-44 or 10-36t cassettes and cranks that use between a 36 and 46t direct-mount chainring.

The blingy Red level derailleur sells for a staggering $710, while Force shifties go for $499, and Rival is at the bottom at $255. The brand didn’t include all of the component prices in their press release, but a 1x Red crankset will retail for $690 without a BB, and Force will go for $420.

To add some comfort to your adventures, RockShox offers the new Rudy XPLR fork that they say is purpose-built for gravel goodness. The fork’s Charger Race Damper is said to offer a full lockout to get those boring tarmac segments over faster, and the Solo Air spring should help smooth out the rougher roads. The chassis has mounts for a full-length fender, and it’s machined down for optimal weight savings while clearing up to 700x50mm tires.

The Rudy XPLR comes with 30 or 40mm of travel, and a 45 or 51mm offset above its 12x100mm axle. RockShox didn’t mention the axle-to-crown measurement, so you may want to consult a local dealer for that info. This short travel fork retails for $799.

Rockshox also has a new Reverb AXS XPLR wireless dropper post, with a 27.2mm diameter and between 50 and 75mm of drop. The electro-dropper sells for $600.

To ice these cupcakes, Zipp is dropping a new carbon drop bar and carbon-rimmed wheelset. The 101 XPLR wheelset uses their MOTO rim technology that’s said to offer maximum grip and compliance thanks to some precision-tuned flex in the single-wall rim. The freehubs have 66 points of engagement, with 28 spokes radiating from the front and rear that attach to alloy nipples all around. Rims are available in 700c or 650b, with 23mm internal widths, in two different colorways. The smaller diameter wheelset has a reported weight of 1,509g per set, while the 700c are 1,665g. Front wheels retail for $850 and rear for $950, all with center lock rotor mounts.

Zipp also has a new tire and handlebar on offer. The racy-looking G40 tire is a 700x40mm tubeless-ready circle of rubber with tan sidewalls that weighs 480g. The SL70 carbon drop bar is flared for comfortable gravel descending, with widths between 40 and 46cm. That carbon curl retails for $110.

The new components are slated to arrive between August and October. Head over to the SRAM site for additional info.