Hey, what is SRAM NX and GX the equivalent of in Shimano road and mtb groupsets? Not covered in this test is shifting performance, and those with lots of experiencing in swapping chains, such as Kerin, typically say it makes a negligible difference. BRL Next, I run the GX Eagle rear derailleur. NX Eagle Black Ti-Nitride treatment reduces friction and helps prevent corrosion. And KMCs new (and expensive!) 8 vs 9 vs 10 vs 11 vs 12-speed durability Weight also plays a factor in the price of a chain. A micrometre gives one indication for why this sluggishness may exist, with SRAM chains revealing far tighter tolerances between components than is seen with many of SRAMs competitors. The synopsis is that all three major drivetrain manufacturers are doing an admirable job of retaining your business. Eagle Its almost a universal law that there is no real cost benefit or functional benefit to any top tier group compared to 2nd rung (excluding Campy SR which is really a above an beyond factory tuned level). And the expectation is that the Red version, with its Hard Chrome coated rollers, will be the more durable of the two. SX Eagle What about X01 to XX1? - GX Eagle Shifter:122g- GX Eagle Rear Derailleur:300g- GX Eagle Crankset Alloy:649g- GX Eagle Crankset Carbon:555g- GX Eagle Cassette:451g- GX Eagle Chain:271g, Total Weight: 1,699g (carbon),1,793g (alloy). NZD, This article was written / authored by Liam Woods. For SRAM, its latest top-tier chains feature Hard Chrome which is described by the companys Road Technical Marketing Coordinator, Brooklyn Fowler, as being a far more expensive process requiring very stringent process control that results in an extremely hard and therefore wear-resistant surface. Compare that to the simple Chrome mentioned for chains such as the Red 22 which according to Fowler is simply used to prevent corrosion and give a nice appearance.. You can pretty much use any level part with each other, with the exception of the cassettes and that really just matters according to whats on your wheel. What is most impressive is how affordable SRAM 12-speed has become. When it comes to 12-speed chains, the Shimano XTR impressed Kerin most. 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. I have GX and have the chain cut right and adjusted right too. Before upgrading within the SRAM Eagle ecosystem, or even changing brands, there are a few things to consider first. You do get a bit of a smoother shift with X01 or XX1, but that is the full combination from the shifter to the chain and cassette interface. Is upgrading your shifter to xo and downgrading GX cass to NX still have the same shifting feel as a X0 group. Eventually, GX Eagle came out. 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). This is mainly from the rear cassette you will find on the SRAM NX and SX Eagle groupsets. More and more 12-speed chains are continually hitting the market, and these are something that Kerin will likely revisit in the future. This is pretty easy to do, and you just need the upgrade kit to make that happen. With a business focussed on finding the best drivetrain lubricants and chains to sell through exhaustive testing, Zero Friction Cycling is certainly a unique, passion-fuelled commercial endeavour. 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. Most wont give it a second thought when it comes time for a new one, and its common to simply replace the worn chain with one that matches the name on the derailleurs. Technically, XX1 is a bit more expensive and lighter, but that is due to the fact that XX1 has a few more carbon bits. Additionally, I reached out to CeramicSpeed for access to their chain data. For that price, the level of quality you get is pretty insane. However, as covered in the next section, it certainly has a purpose. However, 12-speed is a totally different story. So this is what I mix and match. Good call a plastic lower brakes to easily so good thing you went with GX over NX. And so its not hard to imagine that a chain with looser interfaces, although not as durable, could prove to be more efficient. 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. If youre sticking with Shimano 11-speed, Id say its worth upgrading your Shimano chain to at least an Ultegra level, and if efficiency matters to you, then Dura-Ace is worth the extra. Also not covered is corrosion resistance. 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. 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. Support us! Two things: didnt realize til now that TB has a scar under left eye, and studio could benefit from some sound proofing. nx = cheapo bike For Kerin, his previous approach had always been to use a KMC Digital chain checker, something that repeatably reads to .01mm. All are available in eMTB versions with single click downshifts, too. The shifters internals are virtually identical across the range, so its mainly materials and adjustability improvements as you move up. 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. 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. So what makes a chain fast? As previously reported in our best chain lube feature, Adam Kerin found an almost direct correlation between reduced friction (efficiency) and improved chain durability when selecting chain lubricants. Extrapolated out, these chains would likely have hit 7,000 km with the terrible control chain lube. Campagnolo may just be the exception to 12-speed being more durable, and its new 12-speed Record chain does suffer a slight drop in durability compared to the 11-speed version. And this finding of the second-tier chain being faster goes against the trends seen in other chain brands. That can work, but I want to talk about the version I choose to run on my enduro bike for the best performance to cost. The next two versions of SRAM Eagle are barely a step down. 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. gx = best value But I would say if looking to really get SRAM Eagle while not breaking the bank, SRAM GX Eagle gets my vote. Every drivetrain manufacturer will tell you not to run any chain other than their own, while the aftermarket chain makers just say trust us, its cool. That all said, Kerins data does suggest the Shimano Ultegra HG-701 11-speed chain offers better durability over the more expensive Dura-Ace HG-901 model. Eagle AXS Meanwhile, SRAM AXS Road uses a chain with an oversized roller, meaning you currently cant AXS other brands (get it, eh, eh?). Lastly are cranks, and if I am running SRAM cranks I choose to use SRAM X01 Eagle crankset, not the XX1. SRAM Eagle is an entire drivetrain ecosystem, as all levels can interact with each other, but there are also five levels to this ecosystem. 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. Can you add GripShift comparison to the table? 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. Click the links below: The most durable 11-speed chains Bring back the 1X!! Theyre brilliant. If you dont know much about SRAM drivetrains, like most brands, the naming structure isn't the most simple thing to figure out. Once you install these and adjust them, that is pretty much all the work to be done. Its for someone who is looking to shave grams, which comes at the cost of not being quite as durable. Ignoring the extra gear, am I wrong? I only put USD, but the differences for and are similar, just using this for comparative purposes. 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. If you are going from GX Eagle to XX1 or X01, you wont need to worry about this. There are a few factors here, but it comes down to the fact that Kerins sample set of Ultegra chains was vastly larger than that of the Dura-Ace. Right? 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. The bicycle chain. 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. 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. 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. Its commonly said that the wider chains of past drivetrains were more durable. A big upgrade we see riders looking to do is ditching the mechanical SRAM Eagle and going with the wireless SRAM AXS components. 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. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel to killer riding locations throughout North America. So as you can see I run quite a mix of parts, but it's all about the balance of price, performance, and weight. Adam Kerin of Zero Friction Cycling is doing some impressive work in this space and has spent some 3,000 hours and over AU$15,000 of his own money to find the best chain. This is directly related to the use of oversized rollers. I mentioned mix and matching parts. I want to understand why bike companies are putting GX on $5500 bikes? I misspoke in the video, this chain still has solid pinsnot hollow ones. Now you can mix and match all levels of Eagleas well as thecolors of the cassette and chains. If you have the Shimano HG style freehub body and you dont want to upgrade it, you can always use the NX Eagle cassette with the rest of the GX Eagle components. Makes my full GX but with X01 cranks seem ideal. Once again, SRAM rocked the mountain bike world and released X01 and XX1 AXS, wireless electronic shifting. Ha this is the best way to think about it! 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. Durability also gets to a peak, topping out at X01, which is the most durable version of Eagle. Lets start with the premium products, SRAM XX1 and X01 Eagle. But the price creeps up from there, with GX Eagle sitting at $545, X01 Eagle priced at $1,275, and XX1 Eagle at $1,500. 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! Going into this test, Kerin was expecting to find that the top chains from the major manufacturers were pretty close, and similarly when comparing the lower-level chains. Look no further than SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS, wireless shifting, with dreamy colors; it's the top shelf option. First to the 1x game, first to the 12-speed game, SRAM is constantly innovating, which is one of many reasons why we love and choose SRAM Eagle on our bikes. He has been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for 14 years. 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. While the XX1 are lighter, the XX1 are hollow carbon arms while the X01 are foam filled. Where its common to see inner, outer and pins given special heat treatments, the rollers are rarely spoken of and this is certainly an element that came up in Kerins testing. As far as GX Eagle, X01 Eagle, and XX1 Eagle, its pretty hard to notice that difference. Yes, there are more durable chains which are almost as fast (such as YBN), but these may only be worth the extra expense if youre in the chain waxing clan. 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. For spares I get the SRAM GX Eagle Chains as they shift just as well, weigh only slightly more, but are affordable to keep as an extra in the travel box. And, hes totally gone down the NFT rabbit hole. I picked up an S-Works and it comes with imposter syndrome. I also wonder if we have reached the tipping point on 1x in terms of benefits vs weight. This gives you a massive range enabling you to pedal up practically anything. 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. The launch of GX Eaglewas really when Eagle gained traction and was then affordable for most mountain bikers. You might want to do this when upgrading or if you have a more expensive version and break some part and want to grab the more affordable option. With the newest generation of the higher end Eagle drivetrains, you get a 10-52t rear cassette. This had been a price point reserved for XT, but I dont see GX and XT as being comparable in terms of performance/weight.