Sram AXS compatibility

[thedude]

I just purchased a new bike complete with a Sram Force AXS groupset/Easton EC90 SL crankset. I’m well aware the AXS stuff is intended to be a complete system ran by the flattop chain however the previous owner used a 12 speed KMC chain. Is this a bad idea and do I risk damaging the Sram cassette and pulleys? Forgive me if this is a ridiculous question, I’m new to Etap.

[yinzerniner]

I just purchased a new bike complete with a Sram Force AXS groupset/Easton EC90 SL crankset. I’m well aware the AXS stuff is intended to be a complete system ran by the flattop chain however the previous owner used a 12 speed KMC chain. Is this a bad idea and do I risk damaging the Sram cassette and pulleys? Forgive me if this is a ridiculous question, I’m new to Etap.

Depends on which cassette and rings are being used. Is this is a “mullet” 1x build aka eagle axs RD, sram mtb 12 sp cassette, narrow wide 1x non flat top compatible chainring and force axs shifters then the 12 sp kmc chain is fine. But if it’s got force or red axs cassette or flat top chainrings then the kmc is not a wise choice.

[Dave]

The kmc 12 chain is the widest of 12 speed chains and the axs is the most narrow. In addition, the AXS chain has .006 inch larger diameter rollers, with sprockets made to match.

All that said, I've used the AXS chain on my campy 12 bikes, with no problem yet, but long term use will be needed to reveal wear issues.

Chain rollers get smaller as the chain wears, but the axs rollers after much wear will most likely only wear down to the diameter of the other brands, when new.

I've posted more info about the standard #40 chain and the #41 axs chain.

Your chainrings may not work with the AXS chain. That may be why the previous owner used the kmc chain.

[thedude]

The kmc 12 chain is the widest of 12 speed chains and the axs is the most narrow. In addition, the AXS chain has .006 inch larger diameter rollers, with sprockets made to match.

All that said, I've used the AXS chain on my campy 12 bikes, with no problem yet, but long term use will be needed to reveal wear issues.

Chain rollers get smaller as the chain wears, but the axs rollers after much wear will most likely only wear down to the diameter of the other brands, when new.

I've posted more info about the standard #40 chain and the #41 axs chain.

Your chainrings may not work with the AXS chain. That may be why the previous owner used the kmc chain.
The flattop chain only works AXS rings, that’s for sure. Thanks for dropping knowledge on the KMC X12 width, I’ve seen it done but not many. I’m running the AXS Force 10-33 cassette with a 40t on the EC90 and would hate to swap them out for the Force cranks. I’m excited to get this bike rollin’

[joosttx]

Your chainrings may not work with the AXS chain. That may be why the previous owner used the kmc chain.

I believe wolftooth makes a chainring compatible with AXS 12 speed flattop.

For example

https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/collections/chainrings/products/130-bcd-cyclocross-chainrings

[CiclistiCliff]

Chain is decided by cassette if using SRAM chainrings.

[thedude]

I believe wolftooth makes a chainring compatible with AXS 12 speed flattop.

For example

https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/collections/chainrings/products/130-bcd-cyclocross-chainrings

Thanks, not the proper ring for EC90 however it helped steer me in the right direction. Cheers! https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/collections/gravel-cyclocross-road/products/direct-mount-chainrings-for-easton-cinch

[Heisenberg]

the current rotor 2x chainring setups work fine with the flattop chain. not so much with 1x. i can't speak to others.

kmc chains will work with axs 1x and 2x, but it's noisy because of the width - and the xx1 chain is far superior when it comes to wear.

[NoMoreParagon]

How about Sram mullet setup with 2 sets of wheels. One with 10-50t eagle cassette the other with 10-36t force AXS. Can I use eagle chain for both setups? Ie has anybody used force AXS cassette with eagle 12sp cassette? Thanks

[sparky33]

How about Sram mullet setup with 2 sets of wheels. One with 10-50t eagle cassette the other with 10-36t force AXS. Can I use eagle chain for both setups? Ie has anybody used force AXS cassette with eagle 12sp cassette? Thanks

I think the official answer is no, the chains are not cross compatible between Eagle and Force AXS.
I wish they were cross compatible or that SRAM made a middling cassette, like a 10-40something 12s that worked either wish Eagle or with Force AXS.

[sparky33]

Thanks, not the proper ring for EC90 however it helped steer me in the right direction. Cheers! https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/collections/gravel-cyclocross-road/products/direct-mount-chainrings-for-easton-cinch

Agreed.

[NoMoreParagon]

I think the official answer is no, the chains are not cross compatible between Eagle and Force AXS.
I wish they were cross compatible or that SRAM made a middling cassette, like a 10-40something 12s that worked either wish Eagle or with Force AXS.


Has anybody tried Sram eagle AXS with 10-36t cassette anyway? Leaving chain aside. How is the shifting

[sparky33]

Has anybody tried Sram eagle AXS with 10-36t cassette anyway? Leaving chain aside. How is the shifting

Curiosity got me, so I set up the Eagle AXS derailleur and chain to a Force 10-36 cassette. The Eagle chain runs just fine on each of the cogs. With some b-screw adjustment, it shifts fine but is a little hesitant moving up (e.g 17t to 19t) in the middle of the cassette. Shifts with the Eagle chain are clunkier as compared to the flat top chain and Force derailleur which are remarkably quiet and smooth.

I'll take this for a short ride and see how it works while pedaling. It would be nice to have a viable option to run the tight spread of 10-36 on occasion without having to switch the chain and derailleur. Though I admit that switching AXS derailleurs takes only about a minute.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201023/4ba09f99fa4540969164b77bd11ddb13.jpg

[jonbek]

i just want a sram flattop chain in rainbow for my force axs. so unfair.

[Dave]

I have the 10-36 on two bikes with the standard Force AXS RD. I had to turn the B screw in nearly all the way to get enough clearance between the upper pulley and largest sprocket, in the little ring. Too much clearance will foul up the 10-11 shift.

I also made a longer B screw from an M4 x 25mm button head bolt, with the head ground down to a smaller diameter. Ace Hardware carries them in stainless steel.

Bikes with short chain stays like 406mm need a 54 inch chain. My new frame with 415mm stays needs a 55 inch. The longer chain also works with the shorter stays, but only the 13 and larger sprockets maintain enough chain tension. I never use the little ring with anything smaller than the 13.

[sparky33]

Took the AXS Eagle with Force 10-36 for a spin.
The shifting is OK, but not great. The shift hesitation is noticeable, and it's not as smooth as the native Force derailleur and flat top chain.

I probably won't use this combination.


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201023/4ba09f99fa4540969164b77bd11ddb13.jpg

[NoMoreParagon]

Took the AXS Eagle with Force 10-36 for a spin.
The shifting is OK, but not great. The shift hesitation is noticeable, and it's not as smooth as the native Force derailleur and flat top chain.

I probably won't use this combination.


That’s great info. Thanks for sharing

[Kentf14]

One more compatibility question and it's super naive so sorry. (also not trying to hijack this thread, but you all seem to be in the know)

I'm considering a road AXS setup w 48/35 and 10-28
Is it possible to swap in a 10-33 (with a longer chain of course). Wondering if the RDR case can handle the larger 33?

Thanks!

[Kyle h]

10-33 is fine for the rear derailleur

[Kentf14]

10-33 is fine for the rear derailleur

Thanks Kyle. They always list the combos as 48/35 10-28 or 46/33 10-33 and don't show gear charts for other combos. Made me think that the front ring combo was too much for the RDR w the 33T cog. I plan on riding the 28, but would like the option of a 33.

ALSO, like your sig. I ride FF #339 :cool:

[yinzerniner]

Thanks Kyle. They always list the combos as 48/35 10-28 or 46/33 10-33 and don't show gear charts for other combos. Made me think that the front ring combo was too much for the RDR w the 33T cog. I plan on riding the 28, but would like the option of a 33.

ALSO, like your sig. I ride FF #339 :cool:

Yeah the stock Force and Red AXS RD are both rated for 33t cassette, just need to make sure chain length is correct.

I have a Red AXS 48/35 with 10-33 right now and it shifts perfectly. Might want to source a Force AXS 10-36 cassette to see if the Red RD can stretch that extra little bit without having to pony up for the wide Force RD

[Dave]

The standard axs RD will not only wrap a 10-36, with a 16T difference at the crank. A longer B screw may be needed. The worst case is the 12 and maybe the 13 would not be useable with the little ring. With 404mm chainstays a 54 inch chain will barely wrap a 48/36, but a 55 inch chain leaves the 12 unusable.

My new frame with 415mm stays can wrap every available sprocket with a 55 inch chain. My big/big is a 46/36, so I can't say if it will wrap a 48/36.