Overview of Electric Shifting Components for Gravel Bikes

Overview of Major Manufacturers’ Gravel Components and Electric Shifting Availability

Here’s a table summarizing the gravel components from major bike part manufacturers and whether they offer electric shifting:

Manufacturer	Gravel Series	Electric Shifting
Shimano	GRX	Di2
SRAM	XPLR	eTap/AXS
Campagnolo	EKAR	-
SENSAH	SRX	-
microSHIFT	SWORD	-

As of 2024, only Shimano’s GRX and SRAM’s XPLR offer electric shifting.

Note that Shimano’s GRX is a standard series component, while SRAM’s XPLR is a unique series combining rear derailleur, crankset, and cassette, designed to work with existing road components.

Shimano GRX Di2 (RX825/RX815)

Shimano has long offered the GRX Di2 11-speed (GRX815 series) for electric shifting in gravel components. In May 2024, they announced the GRX Di2 12-speed (RX825 series).

SHIMANO GRX 2x12-speed Di2

Therefore, Shimano’s gravel components now offer two options for electric shifting: the traditional GRX Di2 11-speed (GRX815 series) and the new GRX Di2 12-speed (RX825 series).

Manufacturer	Brand	Series	Front Gears	Rear Gears	Brake Type	Electric Shifting
Shimano	GRX	RX825	2	12	Hydraulic	Di2
Shimano	GRX	RX815	2	11	Hydraulic	Di2

The GRX 12-speed series includes a front double-only option. Its gearing is almost identical to road 12-speed Di2. The GRX levers are available only with hydraulic brakes, but they are compatible with Shimano’s road Di2 11-speed/12-speed mechanical brake STI levers. This allows for customization by mixing GRX with mechanical brakes.

However, Shimano’s new Di2 12-speed is semi-wireless and not compatible with the GRX 11-speed Di2 (RX815).

SRAM XPLR

SRAM’s gravel component series “XPLR” integrates with SRAM’s road components and includes:

Rear Derailleur
Crankset
Cassette

The electric shifting component is the rear derailleur, and all XPLR models, except the mechanical APEX XPLR, use the electric AXS system.

Manufacturer	Brand	Series	Front Gears	Rear Gears	Brake Type	Electric Shifting
SRAM	XPLR	RED XPLR eTap AXS 13 speed	1	13	Hydraulic/Mechanical	AXS
SRAM	XPLR	RED XPLR eTap AXS 12 speed	1	12	Hydraulic/Mechanical	AXS
SRAM	XPLR	FORCE XPLR AXS	1	12	Hydraulic/Mechanical	AXS
SRAM	XPLR	FORCE XPLR eTap AXS	1	12	Hydraulic/Mechanical	AXS
SRAM	XPLR	RIVAL XPLR eTap AXS	1	12	Hydraulic/Mechanical	AXS
SRAM	XPLR	APEX XPLR AXS	1	12	Hydraulic/Mechanical	AXS

XPLR rear derailleurs work with SRAM’s eTap/AXS shifters, allowing easy gravel conversion by swapping only the rear derailleur and cassette.

SRAM’s wireless electric shifters are compatible across their lineup, making it possible to use 11-speed levers with 12-speed XPLR derailleurs.

The XPLR series offers four grades: RED, FORCE, RIVAL, and APEX, providing a range of options.

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Table Of Contents

Overview of Major Manufacturers’ Gravel Components and Electric Shifting Availability

Shimano GRX Di2 (RX825/RX815)

SRAM XPLR

Choosing Groupset for Gravel Bikes

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