We’re used to top-end technology trickling down slowly, but barely a year after launching their 12-speed XX1 and X01 Eagle transmissions, SRAM have brought the concept down to GX level, at less than half the price.
The cassette is pinned, not machined, to cut costs (though it’s still expensive, at $255) but offers the same massive 10-50t range. Depending on what size chainring you run, that means super-low crawler gears or a higher top-end speed without missing out on easier climbing gears. We’ve yet to find ourselves struggling, whether winching up or riding downhill flat out. The open design of the cassette means it doesn’t hold too much mud.
Shifting is good, even during those mistimed crunches across the sprockets on nadgery climbs. The shifter is wellpriced ($45), but maintains that crisp, direct feel we’re used to from SRAM. As you head to the lower gears, it becomes a little heavier in feel, but the cheaper construction – it uses a plastic body, alloy main paddle and a bushing rather than a bearing – didn’t cause any issues during testing. The rear mech is relatively pricey ($142) but its strong clutch helps with chain retention and the 14t jockey wheels run smoothly, with or without proper TLC.
GX Eagle’s alloy cranks ($157) perform pretty much flawlessly – they don’t feel overly flexy and swapping rings is easy, as is removal and fitting – but after six months’ use the arms on our test set are thoroughly scuffed up. The X-SYNC 2 ring is showing relatively little wear and we’ve had no dropped chains, regardless of how clumsy our line choice has been.
SRAM’s cheapest Eagle groupset really does work exceptionally well, even when compared to its XX1/X01 counterparts at more than double the price. Our only niggle is that set-up needs more attention than on an 11-speed drivetrain. SRAM provide a b-tension setting tool, which we’d advise using. We’ve also found that the cable has to be in top condition for crisp shifting to harder gears – well routed and clean. The 12-speed kit seems more susceptible to shifting issues caused by imperfect mech hanger alignment too.
If everything is set up as it should be, though – b-tension, hanger, cable, chain length – then it’s hard to see GX Eagle as anything other than the go-to trail bike transmission, thanks to its decent feel, good performance and wide gear range. Riders with XX1/X01 Eagle should appreciate its cheaper, cross-compatible replacement parts, too.
HIGHS
- Super-wide-range cassette
- Impressive price
LOWS
- Trickier set-up than 11-speed transmissions
- Mech and cassette still not ‘cheap’
Unless you’re a diehard Shimano fan, GX Eagle is hard to beat in terms of both performance and value
Price $635