New bike – change to AXS??

Hi all,
Weird idea I guess to buy a new bike and then immediately upgrade it but I’m thinking of getting a new bike which is fitted with Shimano XT and then change the rear mech and shifter to GX AXS T type. I think I can leave everything else (chainset, chain, 1×12 cassette) the same and simply fit an AXS mech and the new Pod Shifter – is this correct?
Thanks in advance…

You may need to change the cassette and chain also, a Shimano one may work, but won’t be as good a shift as the SRAM.

cassette and chain will be needed too.

A lot of expense for not a lot.

I have GX AXS T type and dont really know what its benefits are other than saving a cable?!

It changes gears up and down.  so does a cable.  Taking the wheel out is a pain in the arse as it needs to be torqued up properly in the correct position.  Cables are easy

Shifting under load is much better apparently (which is why you need the cassette and chain), but this comes at the expense of super quick shifting.

My advice: keep the XT drivetrain and spend the money on some nice wheels or somewhere nice to ride your bike. It’s no better than a good mechanical groupset.

I splurged out a few months ago and it just wasn’t worth the outlay. The buttons feel nice but it is absolutely slower to shift than a mechanical groupset which can be really frustrating.

Mine also has a well documented issue in gear 3 where it just doesn’t sit right. Lack of high/low and individual gear adjustment is a big oversight in my view.

I’ll probably warranty the lot shortly.

Can you tell that I’m not that impressed?

I have GX AXS T type and dont really know what its benefits are other than saving a cable?!

Seconded. Glad mine was on a fire sale Nukeproof, certainly wouldn’t have bothered paying extra for it

yep, the slowness is also noticeable.  Sounds horrid selecting multiple gears.  Maybe I’m just used to being sympathetic through years of riding and using gears so shifting under load is done sensitively.

In conclusion.  It’s overpriced and hyped imo

Regular ol Eagle GX AXS is brilliant, fast shifts, easy multiple shifts, as good as the XX1/X01 equivalents, and all the wireless benefits, but for less money.

You can offset the cost of the T-Type by selling the XT gear. If you do it straight away you may yield a hihger value than something ‘used’, even if its only a ride or two old.

I have the original AXS, and its been superb. Lived on 3 bikes (currently at home on my Spec Chisel hardtail). Never skipped a beat.

I have had the new T-Type for about a year, that was on my previous enduro bike and now on my new Raaw. Again, absolutely flawless. perfect shifting everytime.

I dont have any issue with removing my rear wheel. you just release the clip thing that holds it long before tightening up the axle so the chain has tension on it.

Many places have a few quid off the entire groupsets these days, so its not quite as eye watering as it was.

If you have the cash, i would do it. IMO there isnt a better way to change gears!

I recently wanted to upgrade my old 11-speed X01 to 12 speed. The options were GX AXS or XT. I chose the XT, mainly because I saw the hassle my buddy has with AXS on his Spur. He’s had 2 batteries just fail – won’t charge, don’t deliver any power. It is good when it’s working though, but then current XT is pretty nice too.

That’s good advice and maybe best option is to stick with XT! In fairness the last person I saw with AXS was busy trying to work out why the battery appeared to have died…!

Sounds horrid selecting multiple gears.

I appreciate that it makes me sound like I’m riding an ebike when I’m not

In conclusion.  It’s overpriced and hyped imo

I am not so sure, but a bit on the fence with an analogue bike

However this weekend I test road multiple ebikes that had electric shifting. On an ebike it makes massive sense as you are travelling quicker and changes are so precise you are not worrying about changing. Get the right combo of motor and Di2/AXS and you get autoshift/pre shift too.

I would imagine on any bike it reduces that naff change under load that damages your drivetrain because you were too busy changing gear manually, which takes much longer that an electric system.

It was so good that I am including it on my new bike (ebike) although I am getting it as a free upgrade. (Di2)

As above, the cost to do it properly on SRAM would be around £1k, thats a lot of money !

I did a post yesterday about this

They need to update the firmware to allow setting of high / low adjustment, individual trimming of each gear and also the option to turn off the shifting delay. Then I might keep it.

What shifting delay? It is immediate…

Also, I really don’t think the need to trim each individual gear would help…if it needs individual trimming then the cassette is worn or bent in a particular gear.

I can’t see beyond AXS, it just works – once it is set – and it works like that every single time irrespective of the trail conditions. It is expensive, which is the biggest drawback in my view, but otherwise, it is a fantastic system that always works every single shift.

Main thing was chain / cassette – I had thought plenty were using with XT cassette and chain without any issues.
My size is out of stock anyway so maybe the next time they’ll bring one out with GX AXS…

What shifting delay? It is immediate

Are you talking about original AXS or the new T-type transmission? The latter has an obvious delay to try and smooth out the shifting. Not great when you get to an unexpected ascent when in gear 12 and need to get to gear 1 in a hurry!

and also the option to turn off the shifting delay

The shifting delay is caused by the cassette. There’s no sensor telling it when to shift, it’s just that it can only shift at a particular point because of the teeth/ramp design

Have you ever busted a rear mech, or is there a possibility ?

XT – replacement cost £80

GX AXS – replacement cost £300+

Really not worth it.

The shifting delay is caused by the cassette.

You can see the delay when the mech isn’t even installed on the bike. If you click the button 12 times it’ll take 4 or 5 seconds for the derailleur to make a full sweep. It’s not caused by the cassette.

No point in moving the mech faster than that, the teeth on the cassette wont let the gear change happen (as they’re narrow-wide)

I think I can leave everything else (chainset, chain, 1×12 cassette) the same and simply fit an AXS mech and the new Pod Shifter – is this correct?

Yes, you are correct. Contrary to what others have said, you don’t need the cassette & chain as well. It works fine with any 12 speed setup.

The ‘only’ incompatible part is T-Type chainrings with old chains. You have to run a flat top chain with it. Flat top chains are backwards compatible however.

I prefer it to mechanical, mostly due to a knackered thumb making a normal shifter pretty uncomfortable to use, I do prefer the older AXS shifter to the new style pod however. FWIW, I haven’t really noticed any difference in the real world, when it comes to shifting speed either.

I get t type on my cheap vitus during the good times.

I do like it but am definitely unconvinced that it is worth the extra over xt or similar wired gearing

The ‘only’ incompatible part is T-Type chainrings with old chains. You have to run a flat top chain with it. Flat top chains are backwards compatible however.

Remind me what’s going on with that again? Funny internal profiling of the chain to match funny profiling of the teeth?

The amount of scrapes (and catastrophic failures) myself (and riding mates) encounter with rear mechs, I’m avoiding it for now

Well that was part of my thinking having broken 3 Shimano rear mechs, which appear to be made of cheese. SRAM appear to have at least thought about making the new AXS mechs pretty strong.

To counter a lot of the above…

I think  T-type is incredible. Best shifting i’ve ever had,and the ability to have genuinely great shifting under hard load is amaze..

Yeah, the shifting may be described as ‘slow’, but i’ve found in the field it’s as fast as needed, in order to work so well.

No way would you ACTUALLY be able to shift from gear 12 to 1, under load, up a hill..regardless of how fast you think you can shift!

I’d say it’s definitely worth it.
DrP

Ah, I’m on the original…having a nosey at new bikes and very keen on AXS…fortunately just having a nosey…but if the new AXS has a delay then that will be a slight nuisance, I’ll get back in my box.

honestly – they delay isn’t a nusance..it’s what makes it shift so well (and really, it’s not a conscernable delay)

DrP

having a nosey at new bikes and very keen on AXS…fortunately just having a nosey…but if the new AXS has a delay then that will be a slight nuisance, I’ll get back in my box.

2 days ago I road Di2 and AXS on 2 different bikes + manual shift.

All the electric group sets were flawless and changed gear quick than I could on the manual setup, certainly pushing the thumb lever.

It just changes gear far quicker than a human can, and is perfect each time.

Maybe as chain, cassette and alignment goes out a bit it will slow down, but not new.

Delay is only relevant to T-type.

I have full T-type on both bikes, as for delay haven’t noticed, I have noticed good quiet shifting, easy home set up, longevity of chains is better which should decrease cassette wear, the no cables, easy set up at home, fantastic shifting every time is a no brainer, also there is a new t type shifter pod out, bought them from r2 bikes (as no uk stock) and it’s superb very similar to cable sram position

I hadn’t noticed a delay either.  I just can’t see the benefit considering the cost over xt that’s all

Currently waiting to hear back about a warranty claim on a GX AXS mech that won’t align with the smallest 2 cogs, micro asjust set to 31 and limit screw backed off completely and it won’t go past the 10th gear. It will shift down when the chain is fitted but it’s worn 3 cassettes out in 1200km. I would’ve ditched it and fitted a cable and Shimano XT mech if it didn’t involve removing the motor on the ebike it came on and has honestly been the worst shifting setup I’ve used for a long long time. Fingers crossed it comes back as good as many have described but I can’t say I’ve been impressed with it at all so far

Surely if it was that bad then old-skool cable ties round the tubes would get a cable shifter sorted without removing the motor? 😉
Tongue-in-cheek as I don’t get internal cable routing…

I’m an AXS convert. Ebike has the older stuff and normal bike has T-Type. The e-bike came with it but I’ve upgraded on the normal bike.

I sort of wish I had them the other way round as I think the more deliberate (not slow!) shifting and ability to shift under load of the T-Type would suit the ebike better. I notice the original AXS stuff shifts far smoother and quieter on the ebike when the motor is turned off – I don’t think the near constant pressure of the motor suits the OG AXS as well as T-Type could.

But the flat-too chains and crankset with bashguards do look cool!

I’ve run axs on a borrowed bike and was ‘meh’ about the whole experience.

Yeah, it’s wonderfully clever technology, but I found I missed the haptic feedback from the cable tension.

For the benefits it gives, which appear to be pretty minor, it doesnt present as a value option for me – initial outlay and replacement costs are punitive.

Perhaps there are more advantages/transmission protection for those riders of less mechanical sympathy?

If it came on a new bike I’d take it off and sell it straight away, replace it with a cabled equivalent and buy spares with the surplus cash.

I have axs across 5 bikes now (I have a problem)

Only issue I’ve had was losing a battery when the bike fell 100 foot down a cliff in les arcs and smashed the mech on a rock. Annoyingly, i found the battery cover, but not the battery – try looking for a one inch black square in a forest covered with rock and shale. Anyhow, despite the scuffs and scrapes, I stuck a new battery in the mech, and it’s fine.

No cables is great. Shifting is good. It’s a bit more expensive than XT/GX, but not that much more  – the Rival AXS setup on my gravel bike worked out cheaper than GRX when I bought it.

I have AXS- upgraded when I busted my wrist- effortless changing.
Would I bother now I’m healed- not at all.
Di2 on road all day long I love it, but on the mountain bike I wouldn’t bother unless it’s all day xc stuff.

Stealth ad….  I’ve just gone AXS –> XT, so have an as new straight off a brand new bike, GX AX (non T-Type).  DM me if you are interested.