X7 IS THE cheapest way to get most of SRAM's latest 10-speed mech and shifter updates and it's a positive, secure set-up for fans of double or triple chainrings.
The 89$ Type 2 rear
mech costs 22$ more than a standard X7 mech. That gets you a tension-increasing
clutch spring to tame the chain on rough descents though. You also get SRAM's
cunning Cage Lock latch, which takes the clutch out of the equation for easy
wheel removal/insertion. The steel inner cage and linkages make it tougher than
more expensive semi-composite SRAM mechs too.
The front mech works
OK and comes in a full range of formats, and the PG-1050 cassette is reasonably
robust and clean shifting. The PC-1050 chain comes with a handy PowerLink for
easy joining too.
The twin-position
shifter mount is compatible with all the usual SRAM MatchMaker combo mounts for
fork, shock and dropper seatpost remotes. The metal thumb lever drives a solid
downshift that helps overcome the extra clutch resistance too.
Unfortunately, the
pivots and jockey wheels wear more quickly and overall shifting degrades
significantly faster in filthy conditions than with Shimano's XT transmission
kit, which is the closest match for X7 in terms of both weight and price.
WEIGHT 1,300g
FORMAT 2x10
PRICE 344$ (w/ Type 2 mech)
