EN
BIKE CARE AND MAINTENANCE
AXS BIKE CARE AND MAINTENANCE
You deserve a bike that looks as good as it feels. Taking care of your drivetrain and brakes with regular cleaning and basic maintenance will keep your AXS bike running smoothly and looking sharp. Familiarize yourself with our top bike care recommendations to get the best from your AXS bike.
CLEANING AXS COMPONENTS
Cleaning will extend your drivetrain’s lifespan and ensure you get the best performance ride after ride. Your AXS drivetrain’s IP69K rating means it’s built to withstand creek crossings, rain, and routine cleaning. Grab your garden hose and follow our five simple cleaning steps:
- Remove the derailleur battery and install the red battery block.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe off any dirt and debris.
- Clean the electronic components with soap and water. Harsh degreasers will lead to damaged seals.
- Avoid direct pressure washing to protect the components as you would with all the seals and bearings on any bike.
- Rinse thoroughly and allow the parts to dry, then lubricate with your favorite chain lube and wipe away the excess.
CHECKING BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS
Brake pads and rotors only take a minute to check every few rides. Conditions and pad compound will affect overall pad life. Grit and grime between the braking surfaces will accelerate wear. Replace brake pads if the total thickness of pad and backing are thinner than 3mm and replace rotors when they measure 1.55mm thick or less.
All road AXS brakes ship with organic pads for the best modulation and quietest braking. Metallic sintered pads are a great option for riders in gritty and wet conditions where organic pads may wear more quickly. If you change pad compounds, change the rotors at the same time to prevent noise and ensure the best brake performance. Road AXS brakes are compatible with any series of SRAM road rotor: CenterLine, Centerline X, and Paceline.
TECH TIP: When replacing rotors, replace the pads as well. Then perform the brake bed-in procedure to gain the most stopping power, reduced brake noise, and long-lasting performance. Avoid handling pads and rotors with bare hands to prevent contamination of the braking surface and only clean with isopropyl alcohol.
BLEEDING BRAKES
Brake bleeds refresh the DOT brake fluid in your system. We recommend bleeding brakes once a year to ensure any air or moisture in the system is purged, keeping the boiling point at its maximum.
TECH TIP: Using a fresh bottle of DOT 5.1 brake fluid will provide the best results. DOT 5.1 is regulated and can be found at most car, motorcycle, or bike shops.
REPLACING SHIFTER BATTERIES
The CR2032 battery that powers each of your shifters should last up to two years. If they need to be replaced, roll your shifter’s hood back, remove the quarter-turn cover with a quarter or coin, and replace the battery. Replace the affected battery and ride...No pairing or reset required.
UPDATING FIRMWARE AND THE AXS APP
Updating firmware can improve aspects of your AXS system and add new features. Each AXS component has its own firmware, so check the status of every part in your bike profile in the AXP App. You should also make sure you’re using the latest version of the AXS App to add important features, like in-app MicroAdjust and Wireless Blip compatibility.
CHECKING FOR DRIVETRAIN WEAR
AXS chains, cassettes, and chainrings wear together over time as a result of normal use. You can use an approved tool to measure your chain’s wear and replace at 0.8%. Do not replace your chain too early, as it can cause premature wear on the rest of your drivetrain.
To determine if other parts need to be replaced, consult your drivetrain’s manual. It may be best to change your chain, cassette, and chainrings together to restore optimal drivetrain performance.
SERVICING YOUR REAR DERAILLEUR
13-SPEED XPLR AXS DERAILLEURS
For the ultimate robustness and rebuildability, the new RED XPLR AXS rear derailleur features more key replaceable parts than ever before. You can completely rebuild your derailleur with a new mounting assembly, outer link, cage assembly, and even a battery latch.
12-SPEED AXS DERAILLEURS
From pulley kits and inner cages, to B-bolts and B-screws, several spare parts are available for servicing 12-speed AXS rear derailleurs. Find your model in the spare parts catalog for complete part descriptions and numbers.
