Received: SRAM Force CX-1 Groupset

Sram has long produced CX specific cranksets across pretty much all its groups so the designers clearly think drop varied off road riding has legs. Not content with some extra chainring sizes, they’ve taken the knowhow gained in the MTB world and bought it over to arguably the first cross specific drivetrain.

Based on their parallel linkage, MTB 1 x rear mechs, equipped with a clutch mechanism, the CX-1 group differs from the normally adapted road group by dint of the rear mech and chainrings being specifically designed to be run in a 1 x 11 set up – that is a single chainring. Rather than moving further away from the axle as it climbs to a larger cog, the CX-1 rear derailleur (£178.00) simply moves sideways. The cage also pivots approximately a third of the way along its length, rather than in line with the top jockey wheel. In addition, this pivot incorporates a clutch system to prevent unwanted rear mech movement, reducing chain bounce

The single front chainring (crank – £157.00, ring £96-115.00) also has alternating width chainring teeth, to better mesh with the chains inner and outer plates. Called X-Sync, Sram claim it – alongside the clutch rear mech, negates the need for any additional chain retention system at the chainset. Rings from 38-46 (even numbers only) are available, to cater for courses, and leg strength.

The rest of the group gives you a choices  – mechanical or hydraulic braking – with shifters and right hand brake lever available for both. We’ve plumped for the full hydro set up (brake/shifter and calliper £341, brake and disc £305) – to see how this second generation of SRAM hydro stoppers perform. The mechanicals can run with discs or cantis, but we’ll be running this stuff first on the Specialized Crux, disc-specific frameset we also have in to test.

In order to make more varied terrain manageable, we have the 11-32 cassette in (£90.00), and will be testing SRAM’s new Centreline Rotors too (£tbc)

Keep an eye out for our first thoughts in a Ridden article in a couple of weeks, once we’re back from Eurobike and after giving it all a good seeing to, we’ll be letting you know our long term thoughts in the full rated review later in the season.

In the mean time, you can check out some more details in this video from the launch event, earlier this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnm4Kkd3pAg

And here’s the full price list in US dollar, Euros and Sterling