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RED XPLR AXS TECH TIPS AND TUNING
READY FOR ANYTHING
Whether you’re getting ready for your first ride with RED XPLR AXS or trying to adjust your setup after many miles of use, keep these tips handy for troubleshooting, tuning, and maintaining your bike. To keep you focused on the road ahead, equip yourself with essential knowledge about what makes RED XPLR AXS the top performance gravel group. Then learn how to make sure you’re getting the most from your components ride after ride.
UNDERSTANDING UDH AND FULL MOUNT
Your RED XPLR AXS rear derailleur features simple setup and incredible resilience thanks to the way it mounts to your frame. There are a few key terms to learn that will help you understand how your Full Mount derailleur and UDH-compatible frame work together to give you the most precise shifting:
UDH or Universal Derailleur Hanger
Created to standardize the integration between derailleur hangers and bike frames, the Universal Derailleur Hanger has been widely adopted by both drop bar and mountain bike brands. Having a UDH-compatible bike means your frame utilizes a standardized interface that allows you to mount either a traditional derailleur with a UDH hanger, or a Full Mount derailleur that replaces the UDH hanger by mounting directly to the frame.
Full Mount Derailleur
Full Mount refers to the derailleur's style of attachment to the frame. The derailleur attaches directly to the frame, replacing the drive side dropout and centering the derailleur on the wheel’s rear axle. This connection gives the entire system incredible strength and eliminates variables in alignment by positioning the derailleur perfectly in relation to the cassette. This means you’ll get easy setup, better shifting under load, and greater resilience to impacts with a Full Mount derailleur.
WHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Rear wheel removal and installation is still fast and simple, whether you’re swapping a wheel mid-race or preparing your bike for transport.
Install Your Rear Wheel
Remove Your Rear Wheel
FINE-TUNING
To further optimize shift performance or eliminate unwanted rasping sounds, adjust the rear derailleur trim position using MicroAdjust with your shifters or in the AXS App. This feature compensates for the subtle variations that can occur at the hub and cause slight hesitation or noise between shifts.
TECH TIP: Less is more. MicroAdjust one click at a time until performance is optimized.
Fine Tune Using Your Shift Lever
Fine Tune Using The AXS App
ROADSIDE CHECKS
To keep you focused on the road ahead, equip yourself with essential knowledge about what makes RED XPLR AXS the top performance gravel group. Then learn how to make sure you’re getting the most from your components ride after ride.
IMPACT RESET
The Full Mount attachment of your RED XPLR AXS rear derailleur is designed to rotate in the event of frontal impact, moving your derailleur away from danger. A simple roadside reset may occasionally be required to re-align your derailleur’s position after impact.
TECH TIP: If you’ve struck your derailleur, verify that the knurled ring mark is aligned with the mark on the full mount. If misaligned, an impact reset is required.
Reset Derailleur By Hand
Reset Derailleur With Axle
IT’S SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE THAT
Your RED XPLR AXS derailleur houses its pulley wheels in what we call our Inline Cage. Oriented to keep the top pulley in perfect alignment with the cassette, it also keeps the bottom pulley at an optimum angle with the front chainring, giving it the appearance of having a twist.
You may notice the lower pulley has a special look as well. This is a Magic Wheel, designed to keep the chain moving even if debris gets jammed in the pulley. No more worrying when you ride over the inevitable branches and sticks on singletrack? Yes please.
MECHANICAL CHECKS
If your shifting performance suddenly goes from good to bad, you need to check your derailleur setup position and potentially fine tune from there.
- STEP 1: Verify that the knurled ring mark is aligned with the mark on the Full Mount. If misaligned, an impact reset is required.
- STEP 2: Confirm that your chain length is correct by using our chart to determine the number of links required according to your chainring size and chainstay length.
- STEP 3: If everything else looks good but your shifting still isn’t precise, make sure to fine tune using MicroAdjust.
DIGITAL CHECKS
If your bike stops shifting, it’s probably something as simple as a derailleur battery that needs charging, a controller battery that needs to be replaced, or a system that needs to go through the pairing process or firmware updates.
- Check the battery status by pressing the AXS button on the derailleur and the shifter. No light? That battery is out of juice.
- Check the AXS app to see if any of your AXS components need a firmware update. Each individual component has its own firmware, so be sure to click each one to make sure they’re using the latest version.
- If the batteries have power and firmware is up to date but you’re still not successfully actuating shifts, re-pair the system to ensure the whole system is communicating.
TECH TIP: Shifter batteries last up to two years, but should one die out on the road, use a quick single or double click of the derailleur’s AXS button to initiate a shift to a suitable gear. Single click for harder, double click for easier.
CLEANING
Your AXS components are waterproof, so don’t be shy about hosing off your bike when it needs a bath. However, be mindful of only using soap and water on your electronic components. Harsh cleaners and degreasers can weaken the materials that make up your components, especially if you soak them. Soaking is never necessary and voids your warranty.
TECH TIP: When cleaning, it’s best to keep your parts on your bike and only remove your batteries, replacing them with battery blocks to protect the battery contacts.
