SRAM crankset 11 vs 10 speed question
 

I currently have a SRAM 10 speed setup. The crankset is 110BCD Force 10 speed compact and I want to upgrade to a SRAM RED Exogram crankset but they only come in 11 speed version. Given my cassette is a 10 speed 11-28 setup, will the SRAM RED 11 speed crankset work with it? What would I need to change? The front derailleur is a SRAM Force yaw derailleur. Do I need to change the chain, shifter etc? I'm OK with staying at 10-speed just want the lighter crankset.

Thanks guys.

You shouldn't need anything other than the crankset. I run a Red 22 crankset on two 10 speed setups and a Force 22 crankset on another 10 speed setup without issue.

Thanks for confirming. Do I need to change the chain?

Not unless it is worn. There is no reason to run an 11 speed chain. Your cassette is still 10 speed , so the spacing for the outside of the chain is still 10 speed.

ok great. one more question. I'm planning to move from compact to mid/semi compact. Both are 110BCD, will I need to use a longer chain or will the current chain length which was configured for the compact crankset be ok?

Technically, you will need to add two links. But check your chain to make sure it wasn't left a little too long in the first place.

FWIW I did this about 300 miles ago. I don't know that it's "worth it" but my plan is to go 11 spd- etap at some point and saw a good deal on a Red 22 compact crankset in 175mm so jumped on it. I don't think it shifts quite as well (though if I hit it just right it is smooth as silk -- not sure why). But I also replaced the BB (PF30) at the same time and I think after settling in I should probably start over on my Force 22 FD adjustment to make sure it isn't just adjustment issue. (I had previously installed the Force 22 / Yaw FD on an otherwise stock Force 2012 10-spd WiFli setup).


Someone else had an issue with a new Red etap FD setup (this was a Red 2016 crankset with the "black" graphics). Turned out the cranks he got in the group kit didn't have the "preload adjuster" and the LBS that installed the kit omitted the "wavy washer" required on the non-adjuster cranks. His symptom was poor FD shifting with dropped chains.

As an aside so far the WM "screw together" alloy AC bearing PF30 BB is working great.

scott s.
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i was reading somewhere that the new SRAM RED Cranksets (4 screw versions) need the new RED front derailleur is that accurate?

It's actually not 4 bolt, it's 5, it just has a hidden bolt behind the crank arm.

They say that it is optimized for it. I run mine with a 10 speed Red yaw front derailleur, one with a Force 22 yaw FD, one with a 10 speed Force non-yaw FD and ran the same crankset with a Shimano CX-70 FD without any issues at all.

Sweet. One less thing to buy!

No. AFAIK, the "new" RED aka exogram or "hidden bolt" crank comes in these variations:
RED 2012 (10 spd/yaw)
RED 22 (11 spd/yaw)
RED 2016 (identical to RED 22 but with black "graphics").

In general SRAM tell you no but any "yaw" FD will work, including Force 22 and Rival 22. The older non-yaw FD I guess can work but they're cheap enough just pick up a Rival 22. From a shifter standpoint it doesn't seem to matter.

scott s.
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