SRAM Groupset Levels Explained:

Mountain Bike, Road, and Gravel

By: Danielle Vilaplana, Product Content Writer | Last Updated: Nov 6th, 2023

What is a Groupset?

A groupset is a collection of components that work together to control the drivetrain, shifting, and braking of a bike. All SRAM groupset levels include a cassette, rear derailleur, chain, cranks, and shifter, and sometimes a front derailleur too. Groupsets that are designed for drop bar bikes (road bikes and gravel bikes) include brakes because the shifters and brakes are often integrated, but SRAM mountain bike groupsets typically do not.

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SRAM Groupset Hierarchy - Included Drivetrain Components

SRAM Groupset Levels

SRAM has been the force of progress in the realm of bike drivetrains, so it’s key to keep up to date on the SRAM groupset levels. They were the first major component maker to ditch the front derailleur for a 1x11-speed range and the first to introduce the 1x12 mountain bike drivetrains. Where Shimano tends to take a reliable, tried-and-true stance on their products and stick behind them forever, SRAM is a little more focused on pushing the sport forward. Check out our other guide to learn more about Shimano Groupset Levels.

Most SRAM components are cross compatible across their groupset tiers — i.e. you can usually mix and match components within each level or purchase an entire groupset as a package.

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SRAM MTB Groupset Hierarchy

SRAM's claim to fame is their Eagle mountain bike groupsets. SRAM cut their teeth in the 1980s mtb scene and revolutionized the mountain biking world with their 1x drivetrains. Though they lack the climbing prowess of 2x and 3x derailleurs, 1x setups are better for keeping your chain in place and streamlining the components on your bike.

Though there’s a price difference in SRAM’s highest end components, XX1 and X01, SRAM advertises them for different purposes. XX1 is lighter and intended for fast cross-country races, whereas X01 is designed to take a beating on burlier enduro trails. You’ll often see GX on bikes as the working man’s hero, providing excellent performance at an affordable price point. As of 2021, GX even comes with electronic AXS shifting for those who want precise performance without springing for the pricier groupsets.

It’s worth noting that mountain bike groupsets do not come with brakes. The brakes and shifting are not integrated on a mountain bike as they are on drop bar bikes, so the components are all sold separately. Mountain bike brakes are the one instance where SRAM is not as intuitive as Shimano, as they created different names for their brake lines. For SRAM brakes, the hierarchy goes: Code, G2 (formerly Guide), and Level.

SRAM Mountain Bike Groupset Tiers
Pro	SRAM XX1 Eagle	This is SRAM's top-of-the-line mountain bike groupset, designed for elite riders and racers. It features a 12-speed drivetrain with a wide gear range, lightweight components, and advanced technologies such as X-Sync chainrings and a carbon fiber crankset. XX1 components tend to be slightly more vibrant as well - the oil slick cassette is an easily identifiable XX1 component. These components are meant to shave grams on cross-country or trail race bikes at the expense of durability. They also have the option for electronic AXS shifting.
High	SRAM X01 Eagle	This is a premium mountain bike groupset that shares many of the features of the XX1 Eagle but at a slightly more affordable price point. It features a 12-speed drivetrain, carbon fiber components, and X-Sync chainrings. X01 has a little less carbon than XX1 and is therefore slightly heavier and more durable and better suited for downhill and enduro riders. X01 also has the option for electronic AXS shifting. SRAM considers X01 and XX1 to have the same level of performance, but they cater to different audiences (cross-country vs enduro).
Mid	SRAM GX Eagle	This is the working class hero that first spiked Eagle’s popularity. It offers many of the same features as the higher-end options but at a more affordable price. It has a number of color options to suit different tastes and has the option for electronic AXS shifting.
Enthusiast	SRAM NX Eagle	This is an entry-level mountain bike groupset that still offers impressive quality components and features. It features a 12-speed drivetrain with a wide gear range, durable components, and cranks made of aluminum and steel. NX and SX below do not have quite the same range as the other tiers, though, featuring 11-50t cassettes instead of 10-52t.
Entry	SRAM SX Eagle	This is the most affordable mountain bike groupset from SRAM. It features a 12-speed drivetrain with a wide gear range, basic components, and cranks made of aluminum and steel. SX components are generally not available for purchase by consumers and will only be found on OEM, entry-level bikes. SX uses a different freehub body than the other tiers (Shimano HG style) so it’s ideal for upgrading older bikes.

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SRAM Road Groupset Hierarchy

SRAM is better known for their mountain bike groupsets, as they’ve been around since the 1980s. SRAM didn’t introduce their first road offering, SRAM Red, until 2007.

There is usually some overlap between road and gravel groupsets, which you can see with SRAM’s XPLR series that allows some customization to their road groupsets. You can generally expect road bike groupsets to have larger chainrings with fewer teeth, emphasizing speed on smooth terrain. Road biking is also the only cycling discipline to still utilize rim brakes, though SRAM offers a hydraulic disc brake option.

SRAM Road Bike Groupset Tiers
Pro	SRAM Red	This road bike groupset is lightweight and efficient for pro racers and elite riders who demand the best of the best performance. It features a 11-speed drivetrain for the mechanical shifting components and 12-speed for eTap AXS components. Hydraulic brakes, and lightweight components made from carbon fiber, titanium, and ceramic provide premium performance. SRAM offers Red eTap AXS electronic shifting for an absolutely premium setup.
High	SRAM Force	Force is another road bike groupset that offers lightweight carbon or aluminum components at a more affordable price point than the Red. It features a 1x12 or 2x12-speed drivetrain with hydraulic disc or rim brakes. Force also has an option for electronic AXS shifting in the Force eTap AXS group.
Mid	SRAM Rival	This is an mid-level road bike groupset that provides components at a budget-friendly price. It features 1x12 or 2x12 drivetrain options, hydraulic disc or rim brakes, and mechanical shifting. You can also purchase electronic components as part of SRAM’s Rival eTap AXS group.
Enthusiast	SRAM Apex 1 and Apex	This is an mid-level road bike groupset that provides components at a budget-friendly price. It features 1x12 or 2x12 drivetrain options, hydraulic disc or rim brakes, and mechanical shifting. You can also purchase electronic components as part of SRAM’s Rival eTap AXS group.
Entry	-	-

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SRAM Gravel Groupset Hierarchy

SRAM XPLR Gravel

SRAM doesn’t currently offer a gravel-specific groupset, but they do offer a few key gravel components under their XPLR collection. The XPLR 1x12 derailleur, 10-44t cassette, and cranks and an eTap AXS electronic shifting system fit within the Red, Force, and Rival collections. Gravel-specific features like chain management and a 10-44 tooth cassette are made to optimize their pavement setups for dirt roads.

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