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Now the dust has finally settled on the X0 and XX1 versions, here’s the new SRAM GX Eagle Transmission (AKA T-Type) that is aimed much more at regular mortals.
- Brand: SRAM
- Product: GX Eagle Transmission
- From: SRAM
- Price: £1,180 complete groupset (individual part prices listed below)
- Tested: by Benji for 2 weeks
Derailleur
- Revised battery position
- Reconfigured gearbox
- Tool-free cage and clutch
- Install and pair via the reliable and familiar standard AXS set-up and pairing procedure
- Hangerless Interface, Full Mount attachment method around rear wheel axle
- Steel inner cage
- Can replace both its protective skid plates and two-piece outer link
- No Magic Pulley (on X0/XX1 Transmisisons the lower jockey wheel can still spin if a twig etc gets stuck in its spokes; the outer teeth are mounted on a carriage that can spin independently of the main jockey wheel)
- SRP £430.00
Cassette
- X-SYNC narrow-wide teeth
- 520% range with improved gear steps on low end (larger 38 and 44T sprockets)
- 55mm chainline compatibility for more moderate chain angle, increased durability and accuracy
- Set-up Cog
- Nickel plating should be quieter and more durable
- ‘PinDome’ design for gears 1-8 and a single piece ‘Mini-Cluster’ for gears 9-12.
- SRP £270.00
Chain
- Flattop profile
- Solid pins
- Approved for E-MTBs
- SRP £55.00
Crankset
- Two independently removable composite bashguards
- Forged aluminum
- All-new shape
- DUB BB (ISIS BB also available for E-MTBs, SRP £150)
- SRP £215.00
Chainring
- 8 bolt direct mount
- 30T, 32T, and 34T options
- 3mm offset for 55mm chainline
- Bashguards available separately
- SRP £43.00
Shifter pods
- Same across all SRAM Transmissions (GX, X0, XX1)
- SRP £160.00
SRAM GX Eagle Transmission first ride review
In terms of shifting performance, it’s just as excellent as the SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission. Sure, it is not as split-second fast as top-end mechanical drivetrains (there’s a tiny delay that can occur while the mech waits for the correct X-Sync teeth) but ultimate swiftness of gear changing is not what SRAM Transmissions are about.
SRAM Transmissions are about consistency and reliability. And forget-about-ability. The GX Eagle Transmission has never mis-shifted. It can take awhile to unlearn your years/decades of shifting technique (ie. easing off the pedals during shifts).
By the by, on some full suspension bikes the drivetrain can feel a little rough when it’s in the workstand – or leant against a wall during chain lubing – this is not a problem per se. Don’t worry that it’s not set-up correctly! It’s just a side-effect of having a drivetrain that is designed to work when the rear suspension is sagged.
I am getting along better with the new shifter pod designs. I still prefer the older AXS rocker style shifters (which you can use with new AXS Transmissions by the way) as I found them positive in operation when multi-shifting, but the new pods are fine really.
Aside for the sheer reliability and never-doesn’t-shift-fine-ness of SRAM Transmissions, there are a couple of slow burn benefits that make themselves known after awhile.
Firstly, less of your brain is tied up with shifting technique (press a button and let the mech deal with it) and that is just nice feeling. Freeing.
Secondly, the reduction in cabling is a nice thing. Aesthetically obviously. But less cabling also has mini knock-on benefits such as less noise-potential and the bike is easier to keep clean. Little things sure. Still nice.
(I’m also tempted to pontificate about the reduction in cabling between front triangle and rear swingarm can only be a good thing for suspension action… but I think I’m overstating things rather!)
Overall
This all feels very reminiscent of Mk1 AXS stuff, in that for the vast majority of riders there doesn’t feel to be any real point in buying the X0/XX1 version now that the GX version is out.
This new GX Transmission just works pretty much exactly the same but is a bit heavier. What appreciable differences exist are essentially ‘you win some you lose some’. You don’t get the Magic Pulley on GX but you do get the revised battery location. I’ll take the better battery placement thanks.
Cable-less GX does it again.
Questions?
Comment below 👇
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Review Info
| Brand: | SRAM |
| Product: | GX Eagle Transmission |
| From: | sram.com |
| Price: | £1,180 |
| Tested: | by Benji for 2 weeks |
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