AXS shifters now backwards compatible

[batman1425]

Sram is/will be rolling out a firmware update that will let Red and Force AXS shifters pair to 11s eTap der. Resulting setup will be 11s, dictated by the rear mec. Finally some backward compatibility to keep 11s bits in service.

[mistermo]

Originally Posted by batman1425

Sram is/will be rolling out a firmware update that will let Red and Force AXS shifters pair to 11s eTap der. Resulting setup will be 11s, dictated by the rear mec. Finally some backward compatibility to keep 11s bits in service.

And if they'd make AXS fr derailleurs backward compatible (eTap 11s fronts are out of stock everywhere!), we'd be in business.

[kppolich]

Smart move by SRAM for a few reasons.
1.) Really sticks it to shimano and their current supply chain woes.
2.) Proves that they can respond to supply chain shortage by offering firmware updates to allow for cross-compatibility of existing products in the marketplace.
3.) Less need to produce/maintain discontinued products and continued focus on future products that could remain backwards compatible.
4.) For the first time in a long time it appears this is a consumer benefiting decision and will only gain steam if it trickles down to Rival AXS as well from a cost perspective.

[brewsmith]

Originally Posted by kppolich

Smart move by SRAM for a few reasons.
1.) Really sticks it to shimano and their current supply chain woes.
2.) Proves that they can respond to supply chain shortage by offering firmware updates to allow for cross-compatibility of existing products in the marketplace.
3.) Less need to produce/maintain discontinued products and continued focus on future products that could remain backwards compatible.
4.) For the first time in a long time it appears this is a consumer benefiting decision and will only gain steam if it trickles down to Rival AXS as well from a cost perspective.

Agreed on all counts, this is rad

[batman1425]

Originally Posted by mistermo

And if they'd make AXS fr derailleurs backward compatible (eTap 11s fronts are out of stock everywhere!), we'd be in business.

They haven't mentioned this in the releases - but the firmware update change suggest you might be able to mix and match pairing - an 11s rear with an AXS front. The shifters will now be capable of talking to both so I don't see why they wouldn't talk. Now if the FD moves in a way to appropriately shift an 11s setup?

I can imagine this could also be firmware driven with an 11s or 12s mode for the FD - dictated by what RD is linked to the system.

[kppolich]

Also, 11sp lives on, thank god for a wheel and freehub that can support 9/10/11 with the latest bits without a new freehub, cassette, endcaps, etc. Again, consumer and sustainability minded.

[gcartelli]

I KNEW I shouldn't have bought those 11sp shifters from norway.

At least the package's origin town was called Hammerfest...no joke.

[quickfeet]

Glad I bought my force axs rim brake stuff prior to this announcement and the rush to a new option!

[bicycletricycle]

That is great news.

[ripvanrando]

Anyone know if the backwards compatibility applies to the AXS blipbox?

(Not that they are available, have one on order since July with the expected now February)

[rockdude]

Originally Posted by ripvanrando

Anyone know if the backwards compatibility applies to the AXS blipbox?

(Not that they are available, have one on order since July with the expected now February)

The AXS blipboxes with the new firmware will work with Red 11.

https://support.sram.com/hc/en-us/se...-with-eTap-AXS

[ripvanrando]

Originally Posted by rockdude

The AXS blipboxes with the new firmware will work with Red 11.

https://support.sram.com/hc/en-us/se...-with-eTap-AXS

Thank you.

I just tested a SRAM AXS blipbox. I could pair and control AXS Red FD and RD on my "TT" bike. I could pair and control etap 11s Red FD and RD. I could not mix and match. In other words, I could not pair an AXS RD, etap 11s FD, and blipbox....would have been nice to shift a big ring using the 11S FD.

I tried to update the FW on another bike to see if the AXS levers would control 11s etap but for whatever reason, the Application kept timing out. It should work but I don't really care, that bike will only be 12 speed.

[batman1425]

Originally Posted by ripvanrando

Thank you.

I just tested a SRAM AXS blipbox. I could pair and control AXS Red FD and RD on my "TT" bike. I could pair and control etap 11s Red FD and RD. I could not mix and match. In other words, I could not pair an AXS RD, etap 11s FD, and blipbox....would have been nice to shift a big ring using the 11S FD.

I tried to update the FW on another bike to see if the AXS levers would control 11s etap but for whatever reason, the Application kept timing out. It should work but I don't really care, that bike will only be 12 speed.

That's a bummer for the 11s eTap folks looking for a replacement FD.

[ripvanrando]

Originally Posted by batman1425

That's a bummer for the 11s eTap folks looking for a replacement FD.

I did not try that combination. I was more interested in 11S FD with 12S AXS RD. I tried it three times, I am very capable of screwing up but rarely 3 times.

If they bought 12S shifters hoping to control 12S AXS FD and 11S RD, they'd be more disappointed.

I'll see if I can test that combo.....it won't be easy, bikes are not in the same location.

Edit: Just found this.....

there are no plans to make RED eTap 11-speed front and rear derailleurs compatible with 12-speed. The first generation of Red eTap front and rear derailleurs are mechanically designed for 11-speed gearing and are not compatible with 12-speed chains, cassettes, and crankset

https://support.sram.com/hc/en-us/ar...compatibility-

[rice rocket]

I have a NIB Red eTap 11S Wifli RD, couldn't get it to pair either, but I'm new to eTap altogether so I might be screwing something up.

The Red eTap 11S fronts are astronomical money, I might just sell off the RD and use that money towards an XDR freehub wheel or something.