Bought them, for my road bike, because of all the positive reviews of braking improvement, and I was impressed enough that, I bought another set for my off road bicycle.
The reviews are spot on regarding the improvement in braking performance over the previous generation. MUCH greater braking power with less lever force required. No more feeling like my hands are cramping up on long rocky downhills.
The grip and ergonomics have changed but for me it is not a big deal however, I did put on a shorter stem (80 from 90) because of the change in reach (I am 65 so I do not bend as readily as I used to.)
I replaced only the levers and calipers and I use them with my first generation Force eTap AXS front and rear derailleurs. They work fine.
The big improvement, shifting-wise, is the addition of the Bonus Buttons.
Using the AXS app I set the bonus buttons to shift the front derailleur. First generation shifters required pressing the left and right shift levers simultaneously which could be awkward. The buttons can be programmed to perform other functions but shifting the front derailleur is GREAT for me.
Sometimes I buy stuff and later question whether or not it was a good purchase but this one is a no brainer. Worth every penny to me.
The braking just have a massive improvement from previous sram forc' not force need it. Super easy to brake.
I swapped out my Force 22 hydraulic shifters for the new AXS E1 ergonomic shifters and the difference is significant. The AXS E1 shifters are much more comfortable when riding on the hoods and I love the bonus button shifting which makes it easy to shift gears quickly.
I purchased this as an upgrade to my SRAM Force D1 shifters to improve brake performance and ergonomics. So far, I am really pleased. The brake activation is way easier and braking feels a bit more gradual while also feeling overall stronger when you fully squeeze. The added button on the inside of the hoods is also nice for flexibility with different hand positions. Good value at the sale price i purchased it.
The ability to brake with ease from the hoods is amazing, I like having the action buttons on the top of the hoods even I I haven't figured out how to use them yet.
If you are looking to upgrade your D1 to E1 this is the best upgrade for the money. More than 2x better braking and the ergonomics are a huge leap forward.
Better looking than the previous generation and more comfortable. They also seemed easier to bleed. The new geometry may increase reach depending on your setup. Very happy with the purchase.
The ergonomics of the hoods are definitely sn improvement. What I like most is tho are the calipers not sure if there was an improvement but they work pretty well.
Others have said it but breaking power is much improved over the D1 model. You can ride technical terrain on the hoods and manage speed with just one finger on the breaks.
Better ergonomic for me cmpared to the previous generation.
The rubber cover feels more solid compared to the same generation red
Larger bonus button, easier to find when riding
Love the new brake levers and ergonomics on the Force E1 shifters. Upgraded from D2 and am extremely happy. I did read that they're 15mm longer, but I didn't notice a negative impact to my bike fit. The extra buttons are helpful when trying to get into an aero position. I would definitely recommend the upgrade if you're on D1 or D2.
I replaced the original SRAM Red AXS (D1) shifters/brakes with these Force AXS (E1) latest generation shifters/brakes on my 2020 Canyon Endurace. One of the best upgrades I have ever done! The improved ergonomics of the hoods, one finger braking power with improved modulation, and bonus buttons all make for a huge improvement! It's like I have a new bike for a very reasonable upgrade price.
These are great brake levers and shifters. The new design of the braking cylinder inside them makes it much easier to apply the brakes, with no decrease in modulation or control. They are also slightly longer and slimmer, which makes it easier for me to wrap my fingers all around them. Unless you wanted to save a few grams (and pay much more) by getting the RED model levers, these are the ones to get.
Able to position my hands better than the D1. Nothing was wrong on it's functioning, but the feel of the brakes was night and day
