SRAM X7 transmission

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)

Merida Big Nine 100

Wit the bikes swapped over, we head out on the same loop again, this time on the 29in Big Nine 100. Whereas the Big Seven was snappy off the line, the 29er takes a couple more pedal strokes to get up to speed. That said, once it's up there, it's easy to keep the big wheels rolling, allowing us to cover ground with ease. The fire road is at times a little rough, and the bigger wheels roll over the imperfections so we barely notice them.

READ MORE >>

Chromag HiFi 35 (50mm) stem

This is a seriously solid stem. Chromag use 5mm Allen bolts throughout, which makes it that bit easier to fit because you don’t have to swap tools. Once torqued up to the recommended 6-8Nm, it clamps both steerer and bar solidly, with no appreciable flex. We couldn’t get it to twist on the steerer, either in our static test or when riding. It’s also available in a 35mm length and three other colours. At 204g the HiFi is the heaviest stem on test by some margin, despite being one of the more expensive offerings here. Price $112

READ MORE >>

Cannondale Trail SL 29 SS

The fat aluminium tubes are a constrast to the skinny items seen elsewhere in the test, but this rigid Cannondale uses them to create one of the most old-school - and lightest - rides here.

READ MORE >>

CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.

READ MORE >>

Trek Session Evolution

In this series we’re looking at the evolution of three bikes that enjoy enduring popularity with UK riders. Each fits into a different category – we’ve had a hardtail and a full-suspension trail bike, so for this final feature it’s the turn of the long-travel bike. And few ‘big bikes’ have undergone such a transformation as the Trek Session, which had a bit of a confused birth at a time of overlapping disciplines but has evolved into a sleek, lightweight race bike with multiple World Cup wins to its name.

READ MORE >>

All Arround MTB

Search This Blog