SRAM

Red AXS DUB 12-Speed Power Meter Crankset - 2023

SRAM's Red AXS DUB 12-Speed Power Meter Crankset is the result of a systematic change to the company's flagship road group. Thanks to a revamp of its Red eTap line up, it allowed SRAM to completely redesign the crank and among other things, fundamentally change the concept of gearing. We'll be the first to admit that SRAM's front shifting was, ahem, lagging compared to its competitors and with this new crankset, those days are over. SRAM also wants to bring the ability to quantify wattage to the masses and that is exactly what you get here.

Naturally, the hollow arms are constructed of carbon providing strength, stiffness, and low weight. SRAM uses a proprietary layup that increases the thickness in critical areas while tapered, terraced, carbon architecture reduces weight elsewhere. Next up is the oversized aluminum DUB spindle, that first appeared on its mountain groups, now available for the first time on the road. This standard significantly adds durability to the bottom bracket bearings and broader frame compatibility without sacrificing stiffness.

But perhaps the most significant change with this crank comes from the new chainrings. These all-new, direct mount rings are machined from a single block of lightweight aluminum making them as stiff as possible for faster, crisper, and more consistent shifting. The rings are available in 46/33t, 48/35t, and 50/37t options where you will notice two things: consistent 13-tooth jumps between the small and big rings and smaller overall tooth options.

As opposed to the 16-tooth jumps of compact (50/34t) and mid-compact (52/36t), or even the 14-tooth jump with the stalwart standard (53/39t), a 13-tooth jump offers smoother and quicker front shifting with fewer compensating shifts needed in the rear after making the shift. This all happens thanks to the wider cassette range offered by the new 12-speed cassette and its 10-tooth starting cog. SRAM calls it X-Range gearing technology, we call it amazing. It not only allows for more useful gearing options and a smoother progression that improve cadence and efficiency, but the shifts are also always crisp, clean, and quick.

This crankset is the lightest power meter equipped crankset SRAM has ever made. The Quarq DZero powermeter is machined right into the rings keeping the whole assembly lightweight. Quarq has been helping cyclists get the most out of their training for over 12 years and with power reading within +/- 1.5%, it's easy to see why. This not only lets you repeat training efforts more precisely, but it also means the data tracked is better validated.

Lastly, the cranks can easily swap to a 1x setup by installing the direct mount aero rings or non-aero spider to the same arms.