Sram Rival vs. Force Crankset – What Are the Differences?

Also known as the chainset, the crankset is made up of the bottom bracket, crank arms, and the chainrings. It can either be triple, double, or single design.

In recent times, cranksets are made with large rear cassettes to enhance their viability of single chainrings.

SRAM is a leading brand on the market, and their series the Rival and Force are some of the best cranksets out there. So, how do these crankset series differ? Which one should you go for?

Here is a SRAM Rival vs. Force Crankset review to help you get how the two crank series compare and which one would work best for you.

SRAM Rival Crankset

In the bike accessories world, SRAM is considered one of the best manufacturers.

They offer the Rival series that comes with some notable features. But what makes the SRAM Rival crankset so popular? Here is a look at some of their top features:

BB30 Technology

This is a feature that is meant to cut down the weight of the crankset but also offers more ankle clearance.

There is a narrow Q-factor that helps with that. Plus, the BB30 feature assures you of a stronger crank construction and durable bearing.

GXP Construction

This feature offers you a gutter seal design that is meant to reduce weight and friction. In turn, you get enhanced performance and feel.

PressFit Tech

With the PressFit technology, you will enjoy quick and easy installation of the SRAM Rival cranksets.

You only have to press the bearing cups into the frame rather than threading them. And you won’t need to change the crank spindle diameter or length.

Recommended SRAM Rival Crankset to Buy

There are several SRAM Rival cranksets out there, which might give you a headache if you don’t have a clue of which one to go for. Nevertheless, here are three models you should include in your wishlist.

SRAM Rival 1 42T Crankset

The Rival 1 42T comes with forged aluminum arms, as well as a detachable spider.

This crankset guides the chain through the pedal stroke with excellent chain retention and pedal stroke.

To assure you of a durable crankset, this unit comes with forged aluminum arms, along with a detachable spider.

Thanks to the forged aluminum material, you can enjoy this crankset as a lightweight model.

Along with that, this crankset comes with a setup that assures riders of a decent unit for riders that live in less aggressive topographies.

It would also be a good pick if you want to do away with the front derailleur and reduce some weight.

You get an X-SYNC tooth design that is tall and square. This tooth design is meant to offer maximum chain control.

Furthermore, the teeth profile is sharp and narrow, along with rounded chamfer edges.

These edges offer you a deflected chain. Even better, you get recesses designed to clear mud and debris for the inner chain rollers and links.

The crankset features the Exogram technology that offers you a large and hollow cross-section.

This cross-section travels to the spider. Here, you will enjoy a lightweight crankset that is stiff to the maximum.

Related Guide: SRAM Rival vs. Apex

SRAM Rival Yaw Crankset

With this Rival Yaw Crankset, you also get a lightweight unit with durable arms and excellent performance.

Like the two Rival models we have just reviewed, this one also comes with forged aluminum arms with a removable spider. Along with that, you get X Glide R chainrings and a machine alloy ring.

By the way, keep in mind that these chainrings are designed to offer you enhanced shifting performance. The Yaw front derailleur helps with that as well.

Here, the crankset comes with 5mm stiffer rings that are aluminum CNC-machined. They also feature upshift rivets, along with an improved design.

With CNC machining, you can enjoy accurate control for every shape of tooth and ramp.

As expected, this crankset also comes with a BB30 bottom bracket system that offers better bearing life and rigidity. Above all, it makes the chainset to serve you for a long time.

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SRAM Force Crankset

The Force crankset series comes with impressive products that assure you of smooth shifting and riding experience.

So, what makes the SRAM Force crankset top picks, and should you pick them? That depends on your riding needs and conditions.

Nevertheless, here is a look at the top features that make the SRAM Force crankset worth the purchase.

Red’s Technology

This is a technology from RED, and it features a hollow construction crankset that goes all the way to the spider.

It comes with a hidden bolt pattern that is designed to utilize the carbon fiber to the maximum. As a result, you will enjoy lighter cranksets that are stiffer as well.

True 22 X Glide R Chain Ring

First off, the SRAM Force models offer you a drive train with 22 gears, which outshines most units out there.

With the 22 gears, you can enjoy ultimate precision and power in the drivetrain.

X-SYNC Technology

Thanks to the X-SYNC chainring on SRAM Force cranksets, you enjoy excellent performance and longevity.

This feature assures you of tall square teeth edges that will engage the chain earlier than the old-fashioned triangle shaped teeth.

Recommended SRAM Force Crankset to Buy

With that information, you now have an idea of what the SRAM Force series has to offer. If you need the best SRAM Force cranksets, here are three models to keep in mind.

SRAM Force22 Crankset

Here is one of the few cranksets that offer you an excellent riding experience. The crankset gives you 22 gears compared to the 11 gears of most models.

Unfortunately, this model weighs heavier than other units on this list and on the market too.

At 1338 grams, this fella is heavy, but that only assures you of durability and sturdiness. It is also bigger than previous models and comes with less material as well.

This crankset features unidirectional carbon in the crank arms, along with a matched forged alloy spider.

Keep in mind that the design integrates the spindle into the non-drive sidearm of the crankset.

The crankset offers you a large structure that optimizes carbon to use less material while maximizing its stiffness.

Plus, the crankset features a 130mm bolt circle diameter standard that makes it more compatible with aftermarket chainrings.

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SRAM Force 1 GXP Crankset

This crankset is upgraded to enhance performance and reliability. It assures you of durability, efficiency, as well as simplicity.

If you love the delivery of SRAM Force cranksets, but you want a lightweight model, we’d point you in the direction of this one.

The crankset comes with lightweight carbon arms, along with the removable spider for more freedom.

Here, you also get to enjoy the tall and square X-SYNC tooth design that is not just meant for offering you an appealing look.

Rather, the square teeth on this one will offer you optimal chain control. Also, the teeth come with a sharp and narrow design, along with rounded chamfer edges. This assures you of a deflected chain.

To assure you of a smooth-running chain without any blockages, this crankset comes with recesses that will clear debris and mud for the inner chain links and rollers.

SRAM Force 1 AXS Crankset

This is the last product on our list, but still a good pick if you need a reliable crankset for your mountain bike.

The crankset offers you a 1x drivetrain, which is a single-ring drivetrain that simplifies functionality while cutting down the weight.

Keep in mind that this crankset can be upgraded to a power meter too. It comes with an X-SYNC narrow-wide technology that is meant to better the chain control as you ride.

When it comes to installing the chainrings, you can do that swiftly with a single tool. Making gear changes is a walk in the park as well.

Additionally, the crankset comes with the iconic DUB bottom bracket that is meant to make the whole unit more durable.

It offers more simplicity as well as allowing you to use more frame standards with the crankset.

SRAM Rival vs. Force Crankset Comparison

While both these crankset series deliver incredibly with the features they offer, they do differ in some areas. Here is a look at how the crankset series differ.

Weight/Size

Between the two crankset types, the Force series tend to come with heavier models than the Rival counterparts. However, some Force models are lighter than the Rival units.

For instance, the SRAM Force22 crankset is 1338 grams, which happens to be the heaviest Force crankset model.

On the other hand, the heaviest Rival crankset is the SRAM Rival 1 42T that weighs 898 grams.

Still, the Force cranksets tend to be heavier and even slightly bigger than the Rival models.

Arms

In terms of the arms, both series offer you durable arms for a smooth and sturdy riding experience.

The only difference between Rival and Force crankset arms is that the material.

With the Rival cranksets, you get forged aluminum arms, while Force cranksets come with carbon arms.

Conclusion

There goes our SRAM Rival vs. Force Crankset review. So far, have you identified the specific crankset you will be getting for your bike?

Whichever crankset you go for, ensure that it will not only meet your riding needs but also it will easily withstand the riding condition with perfection.