I want to understand why bike companies are putting GX on $5500 bikes? And where the Dura-Ace 11-speed posted better elongation wear numbers, it fell short with the digital chain checker (roller play and wear). Just like road biking, from very good to best, you pay about $1000 for each pound shaved off the bike weight. That means the SRAM NX Eagle gets the 11-50t cassette range as the next level gets the bump up. Want to skip the how and why and head straight to the what? However, 12-speed is a totally different story. This is because I like the feeling of the more premium shifter, it's more precise and smooth, as well as the downshift paddle is adjustable. GX Eagle The main differences are in materials used, and the top-level derailleurs have tighter tolerances and more precise manufacturing and assembly methods to improve longevity. And so its not hard to imagine that a chain with looser interfaces, although not as durable, could prove to be more efficient. Both of these chains are excellent choices. Its commonly thought that chains have become less durable as extra cogs have been added to the rear cassette, but seemingly, that is a misconception. Right? And at least for Shimano chains, 10-speed saw a significant jump in durability from 9- and 8-speed, and Shimanos latest 12-speed XTR mountain bike chain rules the roost as Shimanos most durable offering. My enduro bike is my go-to bike when traveling (meaning it goes into a bike bag several times a year), and its also put through the ringer with shuttle trucks, rock smacks, and lets face it, crashes that are more likely to occur because bigger bikes mean bigger trouble. Shortly after, they became the first to the 12-speed game as well. We answer all that and more in this video, showing how the cranks, cassettes, shifters, derailleurs and chains differ as you move up the line. So for SRAM XX1, X01, and GX, you need to use a XD driver/freehub body. Seemed like a nice step in quality/price before the fancy carbon cranks. The NX shifter isnt the only one with a normal bar mount; I have a GX which attaches directly, no Matchmaker required. Shimano 105 vs Ultegra vs Dura-Ace Sure, older 8-, 9- and even 10-speed systems do offer wider cog widths which provide increased surface area with the chain, but does that actually mean the chains are more durable? And similarly, SRAMs Force AXS Flat Top chain is faster than the more expensive Red version. So this is what I mix and match. Personally I dont doubt that SRAM does its own in-house (and secret) testing, but one must also consider that their top-tier drivetrains feature premium (and expensive) ceramic bearing-equipped derailleur pulley wheels and bottom bracket bearings, and low-friction coatings on cogs all things that could help to make up some of the difference thats being lost in the chain. And that makes sense: if a lubricant is causing vast abrasive wear on metal, it has to be wasting energy, too. I wont get into what this all means as our chain wear article covers it in detail, but for the sake of transparency, the wear rates are listed as including roller wear (KMC digital chain wear checker tool) and as the pin-to-pin elongation (full length of 53-link chain section, measured under load). . Yeah, my jam on both my bikes is GX Eagle everything with a XO1 Eagle cassette. I just run an E13 and a 32T chainring keeping things nice and light, but having plenty of range. That said, Kerin has tested a handful of KMC models, including the brand-new X11TT oil-slick (race day) chain, which actually posted impressively good durability results despite KMCs own claim it trades 5% durability for improved speed and so its not out of the question that Kerin got his hands on a bad batch of KMC chains. Black Ti-Nitride treatment reduces friction and helps prevent corrosion. Eagle AXS XX1 is for the weight weenie, cross country racer, or light trail rider. If you want to just get the wireless AXS shifting for your current SRAM Eagle setup, you can easily just upgrade by getting the SRAM AXS Controller and SRAM AXS Rear Derailleur. Taking things further, Kerin also measured each chain before testing to check for variance in manufacturing dimensions (chains out of tolerance). CLP Cross-compatibility between models is a tricky game in the chain world. XX1: Same construction as X01 cassette, upgrades to PVD gold Ti-Nitride-like coating to improve corrosion resistance and durability. I cant find anything solid but the best info I can find so far is that NX is equivalent to lower SLR/105 and GX is equivalent to higher SLR/105. 8 vs 9 vs 10 vs 11 vs 12-speed durability Technically, if you wanted, you could run SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS with a NX Eagle cassette, if that is what your wheel will take. Theres a lot of information to unpack here. - XX1 Eagle Shifter:112g- XX1 Eagle Rear Derailleur: 269g- XX1 Eagle Crankset:424g- XX1 Eagle Cassette: 371g- XX1 Eagle Chain:262g. The same applies to those using Campagnolo chains or SRAM Red AXS, while SRAM Eagle 12-speed users are likely best off choosing the second-tier Hard Chrome X01 chain which tested to be equally durable and faster compared to its more expensive (but arguably better-looking) XX1 sibling. Not just total lifespan, but the performance will be better for longer throughout that lifespan, too. At the other end of the scale was the KMC X11E chain which lasted only 1,694 km in Kerins gritty test, and inexplicably, KMCs US$120 DLC chain wasnt any better. Also, a slightly heavier bike will make you work harder, and that will burn more calories making you weigh less and the whole system lighter? This is specific to the way the cassette mounts onto the wheel. Liam has ridden thousands of different, When looking at any drivetrain for your mountain bike, it's difficult to not put, With the newest generation of the higher end Eagle drivetrains, you get a 10-52t rear cassette. Itll be interesting to see whether SRAM can bring their 12 speed system to road before Shimano brings their micro spline system to your Dura-Ace this fall, Great post! This is explained by the Dura-Ace chain sample coming out of the box with a measured .12mm wear on the KMC digital chain checker, whereas the batch of Ultegra chains started at .05/.06mm measurable wear. And those differences can be quite apparent, with thousands of kilometres separating the best and worst in terms of durability, and as much as a 4 watt (at 250W, 90rpm) difference in drag not insignificant figures. Its for someone who is looking to shave grams, which comes at the cost of not being quite as durable. And to a point, its the distance between these rollers that the cogs must mesh with. Otherwise great work TB and the BR staff! The reasoning for this is less clear, but certain materials have improved, manufacturing processes have become refined, and new low-friction coatings have been added. However, when it comes to the chains themselves, there is no such correlation or pattern. Only the NX Eagle cassette fits on a standard splined freehub body. Keep in mind that Kerins test considers .5mm to be worn out, and so .12mm is almost a quarter of the allowable wear allowance. Both Campagnolo Record and YBN SLA chains achieved almost equal roller-based and elongation-based wear rates the desired outcome as it means chain wear tools will provide an accurate gauge. This is mainly from the rear cassette you will find on the SRAM NX and SX Eagle groupsets. According to Kerin, its quite easy to see how the manufacturing tolerances, materials, metal treatments, and coatings directly impact on the durability, efficiency and even how well a chain gets along with a certain lubricant. AUD Its a question I posed to Kerin after the previous testing was done, and he got the Zero Friction Cycling torture machine up and running again to find out. X01 and XX1 saw new colors in addition to the rest of the lineup getting updated graphics. According to CeramicSpeeds data, the Eagle X01 chain (which sits at an average wattage of 6.27W with UFO V2 treatment) is approximately half a watt more efficient than the top-tier Eagle XX1 Gold chain. Those hollow pins often create a stronger chain, too, at least according to Shimano and SRAM, with such chains earning an extra peening process that tapers the ends of the pins. Thanks for the effort here, awesome stuff!!! SRAM SX Eagle is going to be the most entry level SRAM 12-speed mountain bike groupset you can get. Coming in just behind, and reaching the .5% wear mark at near 3,000 km were the Shimano Dura-Ace (HG-901), YBN SLA Gold, Campagnolo Chorus, Campagnolo Record, and YBN Anti Corrosion. There are of course other factors beyond durability and efficiency that help to define a good chain, and it can often greatly depend on your specific drivetrain setup. The newest XX1 gets a makeover by way of sleek, new graphics to match any colored cassette SRAM offers, as well as the extended 10-52t cassette range. While at the same performance level as X01 Eagle, XX1 Eagle gets lots more carbon bits, like a carbon derailleur cage, carbon shift paddle and shifter cover, and the cranks also shave some weight over the X01. This article will be updated once those results are in. Its no doubt that SRAM is at the top of the listwhen it comes to innovation. He has been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for 14 years. SRAM X01 is made to take more of a beating. While not cheap, the wireless performance and ease of use took SRAM Eagle to the top, above any other brands, and we still havent seen anyone come close to matching the performance. It would have been nice, if they still had the 1X in the line up, your either aboot $500 for GX, then the only better option is XO which you more than double the cost, like the 11 speed line up, the 1X filled that spot nicely, you can feel like you get something quality and finish wise, for say $800 for a group, we have customers that feel the GX is to heavy and a bit low line, at $500, but the only option to go up is XO at almost $1200, - NX Eagle Shifter:101g- NX Eagle Rear Derailleur:337g- NX Eagle Crankset:700g- NX Eagle Cassette: 629g- NX Eagle Chain:271g, - 1x Specific, 12-speed drivetrain-11-50t cassette range-HG splined Shimano freehub body- Trigger Shifter, or Single click E-Bike Shifter options- $375. FSA was the worst offender in this case, while KMC (DLC and X11E), Wippermann Connex (SB), and even Campagnolo (Record 12-speed) also had chains which were slightly over the mark in this sense. Weight also plays a factor in the price of a chain. Eagle GX Eagle still gets the new wide range of 10-52t cassette, and a sleek look to match any color cassette and chain combo you might want. The cassettes have the most dramatic differences, using three different construction methods across the four options. Much of this is related to the hardness, coatings and tolerances of the rollers. Theyre so durable, in fact, that they had started to wear through the cogs from pure abrasion before measuring as worn. As Kerin suggests, its these cheaper chains that are more likely to damage your drivetrain components through unexpected wear. Basically the X01 arms are stronger and less likely to have any issues. Look no further than SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS, wireless shifting, with dreamy colors; it's the top shelf option. I misspoke in the video, this chain still has solid pinsnot hollow ones. As suggested in the chain wear article, measuring the roller-to-roller distance may have its flaws, but realistically, its still the easiest and most repeatable method for gauging chain wear and its impact on cog wear. Episode 96 [Podcast]. Wippermanns test was run on a full-load machine (single speed, no rear derailleur) and the chains were worn to an oh-so-toast 1%. - XX1 EagleAXS Controller:71g-XX1 Eagle AXS Rear Derailleur:350g-X01 EagleAXSController:71g-X01 Eagle AXS Rear Derailleur:364g, - Used on either 10-50t or 10-52t cassettes- 20-hour battery life- X01 and XX1 options for xc or trail- Customizable controller settings- Sync with SRAM App for details and battery life- $1000 for upgrade kit (controller, rear derailleur). Thats what im telling myself. And heck, in many cases you can even pick a chain thats one speed higher than your drivetrain and see improved shifting and durability (narrower chains are less likely to rub on the edges of nearby cogs, while most companies have seemingly improved durability with each generation). gx = best value The difference is at GX you can attach a MMX clamp. If you currently have SRAM SX or NX Eagle, you will need to change out the freehub body. On the reverse of this, CeramicSpeeds testing points to SRAM chains as consistently being the least efficient. At the time of writing, Kerin was not setup to do such testing, but does suggest that based on the SRAM Eagle chain results, the AXS Flat Top chain will be, without question, amazingly durable. Some treatments are more about marketing and aesthetics versus performance, Kerin said. Pricing shown for lowest priced option, which is typically the standard configuration with normal mountain bike spindle. In all he clocked a combined 80,000 km of simulated riding. Low friction coatings are typically the most obvious difference, with the likes of Shimano 105, Ultegra and Dura-Ace chains offering an increasing number of coated parts as the price increases (and kudos to Shimano for being relatively transparent on this topic). The next two versions of SRAM Eagle are barely a step down. The result is around a 50% longer lifespan versus Shimano., As covered in-depth in our Holy Grail of chain lube article, Kerin is a strong proponent of submersion waxing chains for both durability and efficiency, and this is another driver for his YBN recommendation. Additionally, I reached out to CeramicSpeed for access to their chain data. The top-tier X01 and XX1 Eagle chains both beat Kerins 5,000 km test and only recorded 70% of the allowed elongation wear at the time of doing so. For Kerin, his previous approach had always been to use a KMC Digital chain checker, something that repeatably reads to .01mm. X01: Upgrades to Hard Chrome plate and pin treatment to drastically increase total strength and reduce the wear thats typically considered chain stretch, and gets hollow pins to save weight. My experience suggests that the drivetrain manufacturers typically optimise their chain plate shapes to best match their own shifting ramps, and there is some difference, even if its difficult to detect. X01 Eagle is aimed at the aggressive trail or enduro rider looking to get that snappy, precise shifting you love from SRAMwhile not sacrificingdurability. SX Eagle When SRAM Eagle first came out, it was only available in the top trims of X01 and XX1. Soon to follow was NX Eagle and then SX Eagle. Imagine spending a year of your life watching this do circles. With exclusive test data from Zero Friction Cycling and CeramicSpeed, we dive deep to find out. With increasingly prevalent low-friction coatings and expected improvements to material tolerances with each bump up in price, Shimano chains do show some improvements in durability as the price goes up at least to a point. But given the chain is one of the hardest-working components on a bike, why do we stop there? I have a X1 11-speed crankset and it has nice hollow aluminum crankarms. However, variances in recorded roller diameter and wear rates of the rollers themselves forced Kerin to also adopt the more traditional method of measuring total chain elongation. The fat bike spindle costs a little more. With more alloy parts, X01 is made for the heavy trail rider or enduro racer. Seemingly the two Eagle chains are structurally identical but with different coatings applied, and its the coating that seems to cause a spike in drag. Now that the SRAM Eagle 112 groups offer a complete lineup from entry level up to top of the line, we wanted to see what the difference is between NX, GX, X01 and XX1 groups. This will come with the SRAM controller and rear derailleur. NX: Standard steel plates and solid pins. If the durability of SRAMs 11-speed XX1 chain was impressive, then the results of SRAMs high-end Eagle chains are simply mind-blowing. Glad that BR is going to video recap on complex posts. Im not cheap, im just health conscious! This is pretty easy to do, and you just need the upgrade kit to make that happen. Because of that, I want to, of course, have the best performance, but I also don't want to be out $500 if I clip my rear derailleur on a rock. Likewise, the same great durability, unfortunately, isnt present in SRAMs cheaper Eagle NX and Eagle GX. At that price, the NX Eagle provides an insane amount of performance. Kerin and I found ourselves going in loops with brands who repeated their marketing documentation for the specific differences between models seems Coca-Cola and KFC arent the only ones unwilling to share their secret recipes. All are 12-speed, and the top three require an XD driver body on your rear hub. It was the first to the 11-speed game, the first to remove the front derailleur and still have a range that allowed you to pedal up almost anything. SRAM X01 Eagle is going to be the premium, top shelf offering for any rider looking for the best performance combined with durability. While you can purchase a SRAM SX Eagle shifter, rear derailleur, and crankset aftermarket, theyre most commonly found as stock on a bike, or OEM. Kerin believes this is a batch variance, and that its quite possible (even likely) the Dura-Ace chain can offer improved durability. This is because the cassette is machined out of a single block of alloy, instead of being forged cogs and pinned together. X01 Eagle In the meantime know that all chains tested fall under regulated strength standards and are considered quality items from reputable companies. Before upgrading within the SRAM Eagle ecosystem, or even changing brands, there are a few things to consider first. Perhaps the most glaring omissions from the list are SRAMs new Flat Top chains required for its Red and Force AXS road groupsets. All Eagle chains use their Flow Link construction to remove sharp edges from the inside of the plates, making shifting smooth and quiet in both directions, and they all come with their Eagle-specific Power Link quick connect. CeramicSpeeds data is a little dated in this area, but they suggest theres an approximate half a watt difference (again, at 250W, 90 rpm) between Ultegra and Dura-Ace chains. And this finding of the second-tier chain being faster goes against the trends seen in other chain brands. Will a Sram xo1 work OK on a sram DX cassette, Copyright 2022 Bikerumor, All Rights Reserved. As far as GX Eagle, X01 Eagle, and XX1 Eagle, its pretty hard to notice that difference. GX Eagle is the first level to use the SRAM XD freehub body. BRL Offered in both SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS as well as SRAM X01 Eagle AXS, you can get the durable option, or the carbon option. i dont know if that segment is really needed When looking at any drivetrain for your mountain bike, it's difficult to not put SRAM Eagle at the top of your list. Click the links below: The most durable 11-speed chains Wippermann also only measured elongation wear, completely overlooking roller wear as a factor to consider (an area Wippermann chains didnt fare so well in with Kerins test). The video provides the complete overview, but heres the nutshell bullet point version of how each SRAM Eagle component improves as you go from NX to GX to X01 to XX1: All Eagle cranks now come with their DUB spindle and direct-mount chainrings, which have X-Sync tooth profiles optimized for the 12-speed chain. Well, youre in luck. Once again, SRAM rocked the mountain bike world and released X01 and XX1 AXS, wireless electronic shifting. Cassettes, I use X01 or XX1. A chain-only test on a cog or chainring that is not specifically designed for that chain is meaningless. SRAM GX Eagle is the next level up and what I would consider as the first step into the performance range, meaning GX Eagle gets you that premium performance and quality. I often mix and match my parts. Plenty of brands have followed, but I don't think anyone does it as well as SRAM. Extrapolated out, these chains would likely have hit 7,000 km with the terrible control chain lube. XX1 Eagle , Currency: And perhaps the biggest takeaway from all of this testing is that no matter how durable a chain is, the lubricant you use will play the most critical role in drivetrain durability. SRAM SX Eagle, at the bottom of the hierarchy, is a not so common option, as you will most likely find this on OEM or stock bikes. However, the specifics of those different coatings and processes remain a closely guarded secret of each respective brand. SRAM, of course, denies that its chains are slower than the competition, and Brooklyn Fowler explained that SRAM does indeed do efficiency testing and designs its products accordingly. These are questions often asked without definitive answers, but there is some insight emerging. The next two versions of SRAM Eagle are barely a step down. And as mentioned before, the hollow pins found on the Dura-Ace chain are not simply about weight savings they result in a stronger rivet. SRAM Eagle is an entire drivetrain ecosystem, as all levels can interact with each other, but there are also five levels to this ecosystem. Other chains that showed wear noticeably faster via a chain wear checker than pure elongation were Shimano Dura-Ace, YBN E-bike chain, SRAM PC1170 and SRAM PC1190. Your X01 crank weight is much higher than what sram.com shows. A full NX Eagle groupset with shifter, rear derailleur, cassette, chain, and crankset is just $375! Not a typo, the NX shifter is actually two bucks more than the GX shifter, probably because of the extra materials used to create the cable port. For that price, the level of quality you get is pretty insane. Dont get me wrong, Im a die heard 1x user. Episode One of the CyclingTips Nerd Alert podcast, Zero Friction Cyclings chain testing brief, Wippermann Connex conducted its own such test, How to check for chain wear: The easy way, the best way, and why, Chain quick links: A guide to easy connection, The best degreaser: cleanliness made safe and easy, The best chain breaker for the home mechanic: 15 tested, Chain cleaning: A complete guide from lazy to obsessive, Seeking the holy grail: A fast chain lube that saves you money. Keep in mind that the control lubricant was intentionally abrasive, and so you can expect great life from your SRAM Eagle drivetrain if you keep it clean. Good call a plastic lower brakes to easily so good thing you went with GX over NX. GBP A big upgrade we see riders looking to do is ditching the mechanical SRAM Eagle and going with the wireless SRAM AXS components. Shimanos new XTR 12-speed chain proved to be outstanding in this regard and aligns perfectly with what Shimano claims as far as improved durability. The launch of GX Eaglewas really when Eagle gained traction and was then affordable for most mountain bikers. If you mix and match parts, it's really hard to notice between the different levels. I'll go over what I prefer to run below. Adam Kerin doesnt have to imagine it he did it. As always, run a good lube and keep your drivetrain clean thats the real trick to getting the most value and performance from your drivetrain components. Hey, what is SRAM NX and GX the equivalent of in Shimano road and mtb groupsets? Along withthe. Aside from my machine testing, I also field-tested the very fast KMC x12, however, their material coatings cause the Mspeedwax treatment to feel dry in under two hours of use. Seeking a race chain for his SRAM Eagle-equipped bikes thats faster than SRAMs own offering, Kerin swapped to a Shimano 12-speed compatible chainring. Each chain was tested at least twice (53 links at a time), matched with a half-length of Shimano Ultegra control chain each time. I.E. This gives you a massive range enabling you to pedal up practically anything. CAD Zero Friction Cyclings recommendations - X01 Eagle Shifter:117g- X01 Eagle Rear Derailleur:285g- X01 Eagle Crankset:463g- X01 Eagle Cassette: 372g- X01 Eagle Chain:262g, - 1x Specific, 12-speed drivetrain- 520% range (10-52t Cassette)- XD Driver specific- Trigger Shifter, Grip Shift, or Single click E-Bike Shifter options- Adjustable downshift paddle- 4 color options for cassette and chains- $1,275. Bike Shop says it happens? I recall it being between XO1 and GX. - Trigger Shifter, or Single click E-Bike Shifter options, If you were to blindfold someone and ask them to try to notice the, Padded / Protective Short Liners / Chamois, SRAM Eagle Groupsets Compared! The key findings from this article are also discussed in Episode One of the CyclingTips Nerd Alert podcast. Posted on June 23, 2018 by Tyler Benedict. Once youve done that, then read Zero Friction Cyclings chain testing brief and its lubricant test protocol. Lastly are cranks, and if I am running SRAM cranks I choose to use SRAM X01 Eagle crankset, not the XX1. I also wonder if we have reached the tipping point on 1x in terms of benefits vs weight. But if you want the full GX Eagle groupset, you will need the XD driver so that can work. Just like a chains lubrication and cleanliness it is what is going on inside the chain that counts. All are available in eMTB versions with single click downshifts, too. Its made to be both more affordable yet not sacrificing any performance.