Review: NX Eagle - SRAM's New Affordable 12-Speed Drivetrain

Jun 14, 2018
by Daniel Sapp  



Many riders were stoked when SRAM launched their 12-speed GX Eagle drivetrain last year. It offered a high level of performance at a more affordable price than its XX1 and X01 Eagle siblings. Now, that technology is available at the NX level with an even lower price tag.

SRAM also moves away from the XD driver body for NX, with the 12-speed cassette mating with a standard 8, 9, 10 speed splined SRAM or Shimano driver body - which will further increase compatibility and allow upgrades to a 1x12 system without having to switch drivers.
SRAM NX Eagle Details
• 1x, 12-speed drivetrain
• 11-50 tooth cassette
• 8, 9, 10 speed splined driver body compatible
• DUB BB compatible
• Weight: 2049 grams
• Price: $375 USD
• Available: September 2018
www.sram.com

GX Eagle was half the price of the XX1 Eagle and had similar performance. Priced at only $375 USD, (shifter, derailleur, cassette, cranks, chainring, and chain), the new NX Eagle system is even easier on the wallet and it still performs incredibly well. It does come with a weight increase 202 grams, but the functionality of the group will be difficult to tell apart. The big story with NX is the cassette. Rather than requiring an XD driver body, it mounts on the tried and true splined drivers common to SRAM and Shimano 10-speed freehubs, which are a lot more common and also less expensive. That's good news for companies trying to pack even more value into their entry- to mid-level bikes - this gruppo will likely be a common sight on bikes in that price bracket for 2019.

NX Eagle is compatible with all SRAM 12-speed Eagle drivetrains (meaning you can mix and match parts). More compatibility is always better in my mind, especially when you've already emptied your piggy bank on gas and ramen to get to your summer riding destination, then inevitably crash and damage part of your drivetrain on your first day there.


photo
photo
There are a lot of similarities in the NX Eagle drivetrain with GX Eagle but, the cassette is a different story.


All New Cassette

The big change for NX Eagle is the splined-driver-style cassette. The XD driver that SRAM has been using for the last several years works well and is great in terms of making a lightweight system with a wide range of gears. However, when it comes to compatibility across wheelsets, for those looking to switch from a lower end drivetrain, or anyone already using a splined driver body, the associated costs to switch to the XD driver can add up quickly. If you are lucky, you'll just need to buy a new driver body, but a lot of hubs don't have that option, so you would be looking at a new wheel or wheel-set in addition to the drivetrain, making what was at first a somewhat affordable GX Eagle upgrade quickly double in price.

The new NX Eagle cassette mates right up to an 8/9/10 speed splined freehub, so you can't have that ten tooth cassette cog. NX cassettes begin with an 11-tooth, sacrificing a tiny amount of gear range. Some people may want to pick this apart as a negative, but really, most aren't going to notice a difference and if you do, you can always use a larger chainring.

photo
photo
The 11 by 50 tooth cassette mounts on a standard splined driver body.


The cassette is made out of 12 stamped steel cogs. The largest four gears are bound together with stainless steel pins and then the rest of the cogs slide onto the freehub body individually. There's a normal lock-ring holding everything together, and as a side note, the NX cassette is also the only Eagle cassette designed to be strong enough to use on E-Bikes. The 50-tooth bail-out gear, as some call it, could actually bail you out if you run out of power on a big e-xcursion. The NX Eagle cassette weighs 615 grams and retails for $100 USD - yes, it's heftier than GX by 167 grams, but it's also $95 less.


Review X-Fusion Trace 36 HLR Fork
NX Eagle may be less expensive, but that doesn't equate to a significant performance difference or any less fun on the trail. Photo: Michael McQueen


Cranks

The NX Eagle crankarms are 6000 series forged aluminum. They are designed to be used with SRAM's X-SYNC 2 chainrings and interface with SRAM's DUB bottom bracket system. They're available in 165mm, 170mm, and 175mm lengths and come with a 32 tooth steel chainring for $105 USD.

Shifter, Derailleur, and Chain

The NX Eagle shifter, derailleur, and chain are very similar to the GX versions. There are no major changes between the two groups, and NX shares all
photo
of the same features, benefits, and technologies as GX. The biggest difference is NX components are manufactured from more affordable materials and weigh a bit more. The shifter sells for $42, the derailleur for $107, and the chain for $26 USD.

photo
photo
The shifter is no frills, but still it's still Matchmaker compatible and it functioned flawlessly.


Performance

I have been riding the NX Eagle group for almost two months at this point. A lot of that time has been in rain and mud, optimal conditions for accelerating wear on a drivetrain, and I have zero complaints with the NX group. Comparing it to the GX group that I had been running on the same bike for a few months prior, the shifting and overall performance are nearly impossible to tell apart.

photo
Photo: Michael McQueen

bigquotesI really can't find anything to pick apart in this drivetrain. It simply works and works well.

The shifter is smooth and firm in its action. The large paddle tends to be the first piece to loosen up on any shifter as it wears, especially on more budget oriented models, but the NX has stayed firm and there's no play in it to date. Although it lacks the adjustability of the higher end XX1 and X01 models, it's comfortable and by no means feels "cheap" as some other more affordable shifters do.

I have not dropped or broken a chain, and despite the poor conditions I've ridden in, the drivetrain is as quiet as any other Eagle group in those same elements. From the small cog to the 50-tooth bail-out gear, everything is smooth, quiet, and crisp both up and down. I am starting to notice some wear on the finish of the cassette in my more commonly used gears, as to be expected, but performance has not degraded in any way.

I really can't find anything to pick apart in this drivetrain. It simply works and works well, at that. Yes, it's heavier, and maybe a little clunkier than XX1 or X01 Eagle, but you can also buy the entire drivetrain for less than what a XX1 cassette costs. As far as practicality and ease of use, it's exactly what it should be.


Pinkbike's Take:
bigquotesSRAM offering a 12 speed 1x drivetrain that doesn't necessitate an upgrade to an XD driver from your existing splined freehub may not be a step forward in technology, but it will be a huge move in terms of practicality for a lot of riders. The NX Eagle drivetrain is going to be the "go-to" for a lot of riders looking for an affordable and reliable 1x set up. Daniel Sapp





Author Info:
danielsapp avatar

Member since Jan 18, 2007
476 articles

363 Comments
  • 790 7
 Look at that, a 12 speed drivetrain compatible with a Shimano freehub! Not even Shimano could pull that off!
  • 43 0
 Lmao
  • 96 2
 IMO, this is almost like a shots fired back at Shimano by SRAM after everyone got hyped about the new 12spd XTR.
  • 38 164
flag duzzi (Jun 14, 2018 at 7:52) (Below Threshold)
 Only PInkbike can think a ridiculously heavy 615 grams cassette with redundant gears is an improvement.

You really do not need 12 speed if you are getting a cog spread such as this one: 11-13-15-17-19-22-25-28-32-36-42-50. In increments that is a rather ridiculous 2-2-2-2-3-3-3-4-4-6-8: completely redundant first 5 gears AND a huge gap on top ...
  • 32 1
 So is that mean that drivetrain will fit my shimano freehub? And I'll get 11-50 range for 375usd without changing my freehub?
  • 153 2
 @duzzi: You cant look at teeth gap by number of teeth between cogs, you must look at teeth change.

11-13t = 18% difference
42-50t = 19% difference

So the first gap of 2t is almost equal to the last gap of 8t.
  • 23 4
 Sram has done it! Now they are officially providing happiness and pleasure for everybody!!!
  • 76 8
 @hobbnobs: I'll stick with 11 speed if it means a 600+ gram cassette for one more gear.
  • 9 2
 @ybsurf: is there sugar in maple syrup? Then, YES!!!
  • 39 2
 @duzzi: We don't need 11, 10, 9, 8 etc, etc. Same argument has been said each jump since 7 speed (when I began MTB in 1992, yes I am old). There are more options...great. Don't like it, don't buy it. Why bitch about it?
  • 2 6
flag Bahh (Jun 14, 2018 at 8:36) (Below Threshold)
 @ybsurf: yeah but you don't need a 50t you fit Frenchie!
  • 54 1
 @bman33: some people would loose their life purpose if they stopped bitchin'
  • 5 5
 @duzzi: yes!, yes I do need 12 speed.. Its been one of the best upgraded yet!
  • 8 0
 When developing this group, was SRAM aware Shimano was in the process of switching to a new freehub interface? Sure it may not be common to mount a NX cassette on an XTR rearhub. But in two years you'd expect these on the SLX hubs too, while they probably want to keep this NX group unchanged for a little longer.

This may be the first time I expect to hear SRAM moaning about changing standards...
  • 9 31
flag duzzi (Jun 14, 2018 at 9:20) (Below Threshold)
 @heyyohan: the gaps on this cassette are ridiculous, they are all over the place. Yes do the math, and you get a completely silly: 18% 15% 13% 11% 16% 14% 12% 14% 12% 17% 19%
  • 2 0
 @strasznyzbigniew: Sadly, you are so correct. Big Grin
  • 8 1
 @bman33: I’ve seen the 7-8-9-10 etc too but have we had a step yet where the pros have actually said “ok but we’ve really got enough already”. Genuine question.
Just because the old “I’m fine with what I’ve got” thing gets said every time doesn’t mean we can keep going forever. And I know there are options but a 615g cassette has me thinking maybe it’s time to put the kool aid down for realz this time.
  • 1 0
 @Bahh: haha I know but I wanna go faster downhill and put a 36 chainring ;-)
  • 18 2
 Running XD actually has benefits... I've put dents in my aluminum style freehub body from over-torque. XD eliminates this issue. New standards are annoying but XD does address this issue. Maybe just for us heavier folks
  • 5 1
 Correction... dents in my aluminum shimano-style freehub body
  • 1 0
 @Bahh: gotta be ready bike park is opening soon Smile
  • 2 1
 lol omg I'm crying.
  • 6 2
 A all steel 9-45 11 speed cassette would be perfection.
  • 3 5
 Now everyone can have something to talk about with their dentist. Happy?
  • 2 0
 @in2falling: absolutely!
  • 3 0
 @ThomDawson: I'm completely with you on that. Don't know if we've hit the put the kool aid down point yet for the general public, but I think resistance from the pros is a sign the end of the road is near.
  • 4 0
 @scary1: Talk to my dentist? How is the poor man supposed to do his job if I do that?

He told me he does ride mountainbikes though. Not sure what type. If he's just ripping a steel hardtail with an XT group, I'm going to laugh at all you prejudiced PBers Wink .
  • 7 0
 @duzzi: I know math is hard dude, but the spread should be measured in %, not in actual tooth count.
That gives us 18-15-13-12-16-14-12-14-13-17-19

Which makes a lot of sense...
  • 6 0
 @vinay: the main ride of this dentist? it’s a 2002 cannondale xc hardtail with an increased a2c rigid fork and 27.5x2.4 on the front front, run with an xt rear and a 1up 42... rf nw 34... hacked the front shifter to run an eTen dropper, and I swap a talas on to it every once in a when the wrists give negative feedback. Oh yeah, and bb7 w vintage xtr levers (both fronts, take offs from other people’s hydro disc swaps back in the day)
  • 3 0
 @recon311: Thanks! People on Pinkbike often talk about bikes of dentists, but I never know what they mean. Now I know Smile !

Now that I finally get to talk to a dentist mountainbiker on Pinkbike. Do you think the teeth on your chainrings and cassette last longer than that of others? If so, tell me how it's done!

@Caiokv: Wasn't that what he had already?
  • 3 1
 @reverend27:

Preach it, Reverend!!!!

I ran 11 sp XT for a bit and it functioned great, had enough range, and was affordable.
On GX 11 sp now and it also functions great w/ enough range.

The next bike i purchase will have 12 sp by default, but it's a senseless upgrade for me at this time.

But please stop at 12...... just please..... enough is enough.
  • 1 0
 @duzzi:

So do you have a recommended change to the spread so the SRAM engineers can be learned?
  • 3 1
 @ThomDawson:

Just makes you want to say 'fk it' and go gearbox!
  • 1 1
 @vinay:

Please report back, Vinny. That's what you get for speaking up.

My guess is Yeti or Pivot (no hate, just sayin').

Or "I dunno... i think it's an S-Works".
  • 1 11
flag duzzi (Jun 14, 2018 at 13:01) (Below Threshold)
 @Caiokv: Yes, really do the math. The idiotic gaps are: 18% 15% 13% 11% 16% 14% 12% 14% 12% 17% 19% a roller coaster.
  • 10 9
 @WasatchEnduro: Only the SRAM commercial that is going on on this page can think that this particular 12 speed gets you anything in respect to a better spaced 11. I'd take a better spaced eleven speed , e.g. 11-13-15-19-22-26-30-34-39-44-50, any day.

You do not need 12 speed with a 11-50, i.e. 454% range ... all you are getting with this cassette is 5 redundant low gears, the corresponding need for extra shifts, and an overdrive. Not to mention that at 615 grams this is heavier than any conceivable dual set up (and offers much worse gearing) ... it is ridiculous.
  • 2 0
 @vinay: there are a lot of us on here but we are always afraid to speak up. I do floss my cassettes once in a while, but I haven’t really compared to see if that leads to longer lifespan? Ive had great luck with rf and wolftooth chainrings...

I bet We can tell a lot about your dentist by his bike...

@wasatchenduro - I’d put money on a yeti or a Santa Cruz... maybe I say that because I’m eyeing a Mach 5.5...
  • 2 0
 @duzzi: If you want a wide range and less gears, then sram has that covered too... although the jumps amd weight are even worse.

www.sram.com/sram/mountain/products/xg-899-e-block-cassette
  • 4 0
 @derekr: anyone with strong legs will damage a freehub body that's aluminium or titanium. I hate multi-piece steel cassettes because my main wheelsets/bikes are aluminum (2x King) and titanium (1x Hadley) so there's no way I would risk thrashing another freehub body to run a "cheap" 12spd Eagle NX cassette.

And sadly, the XD parts to swap those hubs quickly turn THAT conversion into a $500-$600 process with a new cassette. FML!

Why can't we have affordable option of steel cogs riveted to aluminum carriers like the old days of 8 and 9spd Deore XT?
  • 2 1
 @recon311: I'm waiting for the next iterations of yeti.. Waiting to see if they make a 130mm smasher that looks like the sb100... Then my blue collar, non dentist ass will most definitely open up my wallet, regardless of my job title. Thank God my wife is cool AF!
  • 1 0
 @WasatchEnduro: There are a few of us that may recall the Suntour vs. Shimano days, where riders (even before the dawn of bitching and foot stomping on the internet) argued the merits of Microdrive (compact cassette) , Suntour's freehub design and compatibility, and the dawn of 8 speed. Shimano won (shift ramps ftw), but all the peanut-gallery pontificating is no different than almost 25 years ago.
  • 1 0
 @bman33: Because I want all that fancy technology with an 8 speed and wide DS flange for good wheel stiffness!
  • 10 2
 @duzzi: Look, you can argue that you don't need any more than one gear. Hell, you can argue you don't even need a bike since running is free and it still gets you from place to place. 12-speed is not critical to enjoy your bike, true, but if someone thinks it may help them enjoy their bike to the extent of shelling out about $400 for it, who are you to shit on that?

On the subject of teeth changes: they could make every gap the same over an 11-50 spread if they did 11 12.6 14.5 16.6 19.1 21.9 25.1 28.8 33.1 37.9 43.5 50 but you can't do a fractional tooth so tough cookies. If you're going to gripe, do the math right and complain about 2 through 5 being a little off. And even then, SRAM has decades of R&D plus real-world testing and feedback which has likely led them to some very compelling reasons to lengthen the gap between the lower gears.
  • 3 0
 @vr6ix: my Sunrace 11-46 11spd cassette has the 7 or 8 (or 9?) largest cogs pinned to 2 aluminum carriers, basically eliminates notching aluminum freehubs. The remaining few loose cogs don't get much torque on them.
  • 2 2
 Chinese ZTTO cassettes are available for a while for $50 and are lighter that this SRAM miracle. Go search ztto 11-50 on aliexpress. There are both 11 and 12 speed casettes. I really do not get the excitement.
  • 4 1
 @duzzi: do you need to show us on the doll where the 12 speed cassette touched you?

If you dont like it dont buy it. No reason to shit on everything. Also I've used eagle and the gear spacing feels pretty good on the trail. Numbers on paper are not always equal to real world functionality. No go run along and and get back to yelling at clouds and praising the miracle of the front derailleur
  • 2 4
 @vinay: in two years nobody will be specing SLX hubs OEM and even fewer people will be buying them aftermarket. SRAM is going to dominate the OEM market on both the high end and low end and will be setting the standards moving forward.
  • 3 0
 @vinay: I devide my time between a steel Kona Honzo single speed and a Evil Wreckoning. I’d have no qualms running NX after having spent a solid couple of months on a bike that had the 11 speed version last year. My last couple of bikes have had XO drivetrains, but NX performed equally as well.
  • 3 2
 @wibblywobbly: No matter how much you paid that lady, I don't really care what she saw in her crystal ball. Except for some German brands like Cube etc, it is not common to spec OEM hubs that actually say SLX or Deore on them. XT or XTR, yes that's fancy. But below that, companies like Kona etc do spec these lower end Shimano hubs but as "non-series". That is, with the name Shimano and a type number (and often also the option to have six bolt IS brake rotors), but not as part of a particular series. Which is fine. Technically it still makes it equivalent to SLX or Deore. I know Shimano hubs don't get much love here, but I believe they're incredible value. I can get an XT hub with a steel freehub body. Or I can get a Hope hub and pay more for a separate steel freewheel body than I'd pay for an entire XT hub. Sure, I understand the PB crowd is too clumsy to operate a chain whip or handle a spanner to service cup and cone bearings. Fork service, pressing bearings in and out of frames and linkages? No big deal. But cup and cone bearings. Oh no! Rather neglect them and then complain about their durability. But see, below a certain pricepoint (or at least when setting priorities), there is no way anyone can deliver hubs with cartridge bearings that are the same price and quality as Deore or SLX Shimano hubs. And people buying at that pricepoint aren't going to replace cartridge bearings when they can get cheap cone spanners, bearing grease and generic 1/4" balls at the shop round the corner. Tools are cheap, parts are cheap and skill is free (or you make new friend learning or teaching those skills for the price of some tea and cookies).

But you know what? Come back in two years and try to prove me wrong. Good luck!
  • 7 3
 @wibblywobbly: Funny. I've been hearing this from SRAM fanboys since the Pike came out in 2013. It's still not happening. In fact SRAM is now losing ground in the high end and never stood a chance on the low-end. The moment Specialized dropped their SRAM-exclusive OEM spec you should have realized this.
  • 7 4
 @vinay: +1 for Shimano hubs. They are absolutley rock solid and cheap as hell AND they don’t even weigh that much, especially if you factor in a proper steel freehub body on those anodised cheese hubs that Hope somehow fooled everyone into thinking are the shit (of course they are actually just shit). But I’m not surprised, SRAM proves the fact that marketing beats product quality by their very existence and mtb is now a fashion show first and foremost. Who could possibly been seen on the trails with cup and cone hubs? Somebody who is more concerned with riding time than how many approving nods they get outside the cake shop perhaps.
  • 3 1
 @recon311: The only dentist I know has a 2007 Gary Fisher paragon, mostly OEM spec. The frame and paint job are worn and dented. Maybe dentists spend their money on cool dental tools?
  • 1 1
 This is like putting a sticker on a Ferrari! I doubt that anyone who will buy the new XTR will put this crap cassette on it!
  • 1 1
 @ronufoh: Yes Sunrace seems to be the only option and I've been tempted, I just fear the shift quality will be noticeably worse than Shimano XT and I wish the big-boys would make the new wide-range options more backwards compatible.
  • 3 2
 @vr6ix: You have nothing to worry about. Sunrace is not a "cheapo" cassette. They've been making cassettes for decades. It's just recent that they've jumped on the wide-range bandwagon. I've switched over to using all Sunrace cassettes now because I find them to be every bit the equal of Shimano's quality, and their wide-range models have better gear spreads too.
  • 2 2
 Why they waited so long! XD as a not needed invention. But cool this is!
  • 1 2
 @duzzi: Agreed my 11-42 modded 8 speed cassette weighs 360grams and cost $24 for the 11-34 plus $40 for the expander cog. Sunrace make an 11-40
8 speed for $35.
  • 106 10
 Sram, thanks for listening to what we want and trickling down eagle to all the price points. Sram is truly killing it in the component market right now.
  • 27 67
flag Scotj009 (Jun 14, 2018 at 7:17) (Below Threshold)
 Now get rid of that stupid XD Driver on the rest of the groups!
  • 18 1
 Installed on I9 wheels. That hits home for real
  • 22 6
 They needed good PR after announcing the DUB crank standard.
  • 29 1
 Their components nearly killed me when my brakes failed on a hot day. Replaced them with the revised version. I like to live dangerously.
  • 80 8
 I suppose I might catch some hate for this, but I'm perfectly happy with my very affordable, 11 speed, 11-46, no compatibility issues, SLX drivetrain. The XT cassette is $76 at Jenson right now. A 12th speed would be cool, but not cool enough for me to bother. And if I can't get it done with 46t, I guess I'll walk it. Not that this SRAM setup isn't really nice too; I'm just not sure it's mind-blowing with 11-46 SLX already out there.
  • 8 2
 Cheapest drive-train on most expensive hubs.
  • 2 7
flag islandforlife (Jun 14, 2018 at 8:08) (Below Threshold)
 @number44: this is a great upgrade for those who are still on 11-42 systems.
  • 10 1
 @number44: I'm on this train, too. After buying a new hardtail frame I realized how truly bent my old derailleur was and figured I'd just go for something new. Cheap china narrow wide + SLX 11-46 upgrade kit and I'm set.
After so many years of mountain biking, I've realized that the new stuff looks nice, but the trickle down is really where it's at.
  • 1 1
 @ssteve: I also just went for the 11-46 SLX drivetrain, however if the shop had 11-50 NX in stock, it would have been a comparable price, and the hands down winner if I had the choice.
  • 7 2
 @ssteve: im perfectly happy with xt shifter, slx 11-46 and rear mech with.. i have an xtr 11-40 I found at closeout price with oneup 45t.. 30 or 32t ring does the trick.. if I cant pedal I walk it...
  • 1 2
 I’ve not actually counted but I’ve got what I think is a 10-46 SRAM cassette with a 32 tooth chainring on both of my bikes and i rarely use the top two cogs because my bike ether starts wheel spinning or trying to wheelie in those gears. Surely a bigger cassette will only make this worse?
  • 7 1
 @thenotoriousmic: For relatively flat XC riding this is true, but the bigger gears come into their own for big-mountain style riding where you may want to save your energy while climbing continuous 8 - 15 % grade for 2 or 3 hours to best enjoy the descent. These drivetrains are ideal for big travel trailbikes where sitting and spinning is the only way to get the heavier/squishy bike to the top. Sitting and spinning is also much easier on the knees.
  • 4 1
 @thenotoriousmic: what it allows you to do is run a 10/11-50 cassette and go bigger at the front, for bottom end, I upgraded from 42t max at the rear to 46t and was able to step up to a 34, and possibly in the future a 36t chainring and gain a tonne of range on the fast bits.
  • 12 4
 @moose-tastes-good
Yeah, sure.
If you like to put 615 g (!) of poorly engineered 11-50s unsprung rotational weight to your rear wheel, it's up to you...
For that same price you can get a very well engineered and durable XT 11-46 11s cassette which is 120g less...
And if you really think the 4 t difference on the larger cog worth the 120g difference at this precise location (unsprung rotational weight), you make a big mistake...
  • 2 1
 @Lagr1980: same here for 11-40 with oneup 45t run a 34 front and I'm happy.
  • 3 1
 @ianwish:

Because how the fook can you even pedal on an 11-42?

#sarcasm
#slowdayatwork
  • 5 2
 @gnralized: I couldn't do the 11-46 SLX or XT one on looks alone, then there is the big gap from 37 to 46. Ordered Sunrace one instead. Last 10spd Sunrace 11-40 was great.
  • 2 1
 @gnralized: Im too lazy to do it but anyone has done the math at how much does a 2x with and 11-36 weight and a same price 1x with same low and top gear?
  • 1 0
 @kryten: Yep.
Concerning myself I run a 11-42 shim XT cassette (445g) with one up shark 10 teeth cluster and a 30 teeth chainring.
Never did the math on how extended is the range, but it works perfectly for me, all the more that the 30 teeth ring contribute to increase a little the AS value of my Knolly Warden, which is quite low.
  • 3 0
 @donpinpon29: Can't comment on front derailleur weight because those things suck, but I run a 32T up front and the 11-36T X0 cassette/derailleur and the cassette/derailleur combo weighs 442g which is 512 less than the same NX combo (also 298 less than GX). The weight savings are pretty extreme to say the least.
  • 2 0
 Only you dude! Ditching the SRAM for the new Shimano XTR!
  • 1 0
 @ssteve: 100% !!
  • 78 4
 NX Eagle. The new go-to drive train for $5k bikes. Move on up GX eagle to $7k bikes.
  • 20 2
 You'll be pleased to hear I’ve seen this spec’d on a $2500 CAD, thru-axled, dropper-equipped bike for next season ????????
  • 16 0
 (Those question marks were a thumbs up)
  • 7 0
 Is this suppose to be sarcasm? I'm expecting sub $2500 bikes to have this groupset. I got a Diamondback Release 1 with the 11 speed nx for $1500...sure it was on sale, but even at normal price it was a $1800 bike.
  • 4 0
 @fenderbass146: This was a big turnoff for me with Transition, Kona, and others on their entry AL frames. $3k and they spec with the older NX grouup set. Happy with the GX on my YT. Big Grin

That being said, I'm glad to see this as I'm looking to upgrade my wifes 2x 9 speed to a single. I'll be keeping her threaded bottom bracket though.
  • 1 0
 @fenderbass146: Those will have it as well as the 5k bikes. Just wait.
  • 1 0
 @fenderbass146: Trek just released a Fuel EX 9.7 with NX and up-spec'd GX DR for $3,800. Let the games begin!
  • 2 1
 This comment.... Can’t wait to buy my 6500$ Bronson CC that has full NX and some novatec hubs.

Money saved by specing NX is going to be straight profit for the bike companies and will not be passed along to the end user.
  • 4 0
 @wibblywobbly: I personally like santa cruz hiding 2-pawl DT 370 hubs on their $5,899 XE carbon nomad. 2-pawl!

Aeffect stem on all models up to and including the Xo1 level. DT 350 hubs on Xo1 level bikes. They cheaped the builds out big time.
  • 2 0
 Why short yourself when you can go to new XTR!
  • 77 12
 Shimano: we cant develop 12 speed gruppo without new driver body
SRAM: hold my beer
  • 62 6
 Hit me with the neg props but...
The splined freehub body that we’ve used for 3 decades is long due for replacement. I’m past exhaustion on gouged splines from cassettes. I’m stoked for a new/better design.
  • 7 0
 @speed10: Agreed. It was a change for the good in that case.
  • 6 0
 They could probably design a 15-speed cassette to cram on a standard Shimano driver, but you'd still have an 11-tooth high gear...
  • 9 2
 @speed10:
the freehub on my tandem is made from Titanium. The hub is made by Hadley. No gouges, even though it is asked to carry 500 lbs. when fully loaded, with 2 people pedaling.

Also, Hope sells a steel Shimano / SRAM freehub. Take your pick, weight or cost. Can't have both.
  • 10 0
 @speed10: use steel hub body, as it was originally designed for.
  • 9 0
 @speed10: If its made out of steel, there are no gouges and XD doesn't gouge either. Shimano's only downfall with the XTR was not releasing the spline standard for everyone.
  • 2 0
 @cyrways: I bet they'll wait untill 12 speed XT an then open up the design. Or maybe ever sooner, but they can't afford to sell a XT level groupset with such a limited range of hubs available. XTR maybe sell like this but XT is way more massmarket oriented.
  • 7 0
 Sure Shimano could develop 12speed with the existing driver body. But not with a 10t smallest cog. SRAM couldn't, either.
  • 4 0
 @NickBosshard: I'm willing to bet buy the time xtr actually releases that most hub makers will be have a micro spline driver.
  • 3 0
 @speed10: you are right, hyperglide is long in the tooth...

This doesn't exclude NX eagle being nice - hyperglide stuff is literally everywhere and not going anywhere except for high end mtb. think of all the bikes out there with blown out drivetrains that will get NX on there, plus lower-end oem.

for beginner riders / budget where "more gears = better" (and more range actually maybe is better for them) they'll get 1x 12sp. and they can buy XD freehub or wheelset later if they want. this will be shwoing up on $1200 hardtails soon.
  • 6 0
 @Dangerous-Dan: Yeah I bought the steel version for my Hope hub, and it's bombproof. A bit heavier but, it's a mountain bike not a road bike....
  • 1 1
 @reverend27: Shimano said as for now only DT Swiss has access to the Micro Spline freehub body design and they aren't thinking about licencing it to others for the time being. My bet is an exclusive deal with DT for about a year or untill 12 speed XT releases. Most OEMs are using DT hubs anyways on theyr kits that are in the XTR price range which will probably be the bulk of the sales of the new XTR at least in the beginning.
  • 1 0
 @filmdrew: I've stuck with Shimano for this very reason. I've got a wheelset with DT440 hubs too and the cassette ate into the body, pretty annoying to get it off. But I also heard DT rims of that era used to be of soft alloy (indeed, having their 6.1D rim) so I thought maybe that also goes for their hub. I recently went with a Syntace wheelset for my latest build, which actually does have an aluminium freehub body. We'll see how this goes. If it does give issues, I'll get their replacement body with three steel splines. Should be just enough to keep it in check. I considered Hope too, but both their hubs and then the steel body seemed quite expensive. I don't care much about the weight either.
  • 1 0
 @Dangerous-Dan:

Sick! I think White Industries does the same. So cool. Almost bought one but opted for the Project321 stealth version but also shiny silver like White does.
  • 3 0
 @speed10: Kirt Pancenti offered one up for people to use.

bikerumor.com/2011/07/11/kirk-pacenti-offers-open-source-freehub-design-suggests-industry-moves-forward

it was rad and came out in 2011.
  • 4 0
 12 speed is irrelevant, its the 10 tooth cog that requires the new driver.
  • 1 0
 @raditude: Wankel freehub body...I like it!
  • 1 0
 @yzedf: @Dangerous-Dan : I hear you both on the steel/ti freehub. Sadly most OEM spec with aluminum and your solution is to switch freehubs or potentially the entire hub (to brand offering non aluminum freehubs) so I can resolve an issue that is avoidable at onset by decent design. Why is the consumer on the hook for solving the problem? What’s so holy about the freehub body anyways? We’ve changed everything else.
  • 2 0
 @speed10: it was originally designed by Shimano to be a steel free hub body, it's not their fault that most hub manufacturers ignore that in the chase of dropping more weight. When your alloy one is shot, replace it with a steel one. Hell, even dt swiss offers one (pricey but probably a one time purchase).
Nothing holy about it other than most people whine incessantly about changing standards around here...
  • 1 0
 1150 11 speed cassettes have been on the market for close to two years. The range of a 1150, 454%, is not much larger than the original 11 speed 1042 that has 420%. Both are very far from SRAM 1050, at 500% and Shimano 1051 at 510%.
  • 2 0
 @duzzi: depends how you calculate it. I dont think its 'very far' from the Sram 50t and Shimano 51t at all. The 10t is 10% different from the 11t, and that is the only gear you are truly missing.

Practically speaking, I can't recall when I last needed the 11t or even 13t on my bike, so having the 10t is definitely a luxury more than a necessity.
  • 1 1
 @ronufoh: not many ways to compute it ... it is the ratio of largest to smallest cog ... But the point is that if 420-450% range is all you need, then you REALLY do not need 12 gears (especially when they are so badly spaced). Add another 50-60% range and then an additional gear is nice.

Besides the 1051 Shimano introduced two 1045 (450%) cassettes for 2019 with the option of either 12 speeds (for cross-country racing) OR 11 speed. 12 speed 1150 for general use is just silly ...
  • 2 0
 @duzzi: agreed on your point of 12 speeds to cover 11-50. I think I just worded my point poorly. But not fair for you to say the 11-50 range of 34% greater than 10-42 is 'not much larger', but 46% less than 10-50 is 'very far' off.

Once again practically speaking comparing the SRAM 10-50 with Shimano 10-51, the extra 10% range (huge or not) works out to 1 tooth at the extreme low end, basically inperceivable.

I really wonder why SRAM didn't offer a 10-46 11spd cassette.. That would give most riders ask they really need IMO
  • 54 4
 Game over. This is what the people have wanted for a long, long, time. The 11-50 range is fine, and the price is outstanding, all with ZERO compatibility issues. Nicely done.
  • 3 8
flag the-smith (Jun 14, 2018 at 7:44) (Below Threshold)
 Would be nice if they offer the XD/splined option on all their cassettes.
  • 7 0
 @smithcreek: you understand XD allows a 10t cog right? People that can afford more expensive drivetrains will likely want the 10t and subsequently just pay for the XD driver.
  • 2 0
 And this is what has been available for some time frankly. Sunrace 11-50 cassette, "only" 11 speed, but cheaper, lighter, and compatible with almost all existing 11 speed derailleur.
  • 43 0
 Mate the groupset to a Sunrace 11-50 12-sp cassette and you'll save ~100 grams and about 15 bucks. Moar beer to celebrate!
  • 3 0
 My words exactly.
  • 5 0
 12 spd 11-50 sunrace cassette - 586g - $110
12 spd 11-50 NX cassette - 615g - $100
  • 5 0
 @literally: The Sunrace can be found for less than 70 bucks online. Check out the German web stores.
  • 5 0
 @southoftheborder: do they sell a version that is ~100g lighter as well or is it the same 29g lighter version? free shipping i assume and not the ~$20-30 every .de site i've seen them on? link me!
  • 3 0
 @literally: My bad, I did the math from memory for the weight. The Sunrace cassette is still more rigid, since it relies on two spiders rather than having eight separate cogs as the NX one does. I listed the .de sites since that's where I see most of the US folks buying stuff cheap. Since I'm from Argentina, I usually grab my bits off eBay. I still maintain the Sunrace option would be best for the money, since it's better constructed.

Not throwing dirt on SRAM though. They have their way to do their cassettes, and I'm actually using a mix of X1/GX 11sp drivetrain on my bike, just paired to a Sunrace 11-46 cassette because it has a splined interface as my rear hub, greater total range than the SRAM available options, and better gear spacing than the Shimano ones. It doesn't have to be your cup of tea.
  • 1 0
 @southoftheborder: wonder why they didn’t make it 10-50 like there GX and up cassettes. Gotta love EBay.
  • 38 2
 Looks like a great alternative to waiting 2 years for xt 12 speed to clunk it way to market
  • 18 0
 Not to mention that by the time Shimano introduces a 12 speed SLX groupset SRAM will have drunk all of their milkshake.
  • 3 0
 And you dont need a special freehub that isnt avaliable unless you have shimano wheels
  • 1 0
 @CM999: Or DT Swiss Wink
  • 2 0
 Also Syncros, Specialized, and - wait for it - SRAM. Basically any company using DT Swiss internals for their hubs.
  • 1 0
 @strasznyzbigniew: lol sram uses sram internals, syncros and specialized only have dt internals on the expensive stuff
  • 1 1
 @Tr011: lol no. rail 50 uses dt swiss driver and caps interface. not sure about newer stuff though.
  • 37 9
 615g!!! may as well strap an anchor to your'e rear wheel.

To everyone saying Shimano is way behind what about SLX 11speed 11-46t, it's been out for ages, is just as good value (if not better) has a shadow mech that wont get wiped out by every rock, is just as compatible and the cassette is 150g lighter (which is a big deal for un-sprung mass)
Once you forget about the 12 speed hype the marketing teams tell you you need its the smart option (XTR still has an 11 speed option because the pros didn't want 12) if you really need those extra 4 teeth at the top then go Eagle but in the real world i doubt many will care between 46 and 50t.
  • 18 0
 LOL I'm still quite happy with my XT 11-36 that weighs approx 335g!!
  • 4 0
 but hey, e-bike compatible
  • 8 1
 Gear range is more valuable than weight to a lot of people. As is value. This will be an absolute winner for those reasons.
  • 3 0
 exactly! my XT 11 speed rear cassette which fits with any standard style freehub body is 7ounce/~.5lbs lighter than this NX. i'll forgo the closer cog ratios and extra speed for the reduced weight. a 615gram cassette is just insane IMO.
  • 3 0
 @strasznyzbigniew: Yah, I'm not buying this Ebike compatible bullshit...Ebike motors are limited to 250 watts in Canada, I guarantee that Nino Schurter's power advantage over me is well more than 250 watts.
  • 6 1
 SLX feels way better than NX, ill give you that. And SLX looks way better than NX too.

But how many bikes does SLX come on? And Shimano is so cheap aftermarket there is not reason not to run XT.
  • 1 0
 @zephxiii: same here, beast mode on the climbs!
  • 30 6
 Why does pinkbike only review cheap stuff like this, do some more top of the line reviews we are not all peasants
  • 7 0
 this ain't no real review. It's a short infomercial.
  • 3 0
 I'm a peasant. Every hour at work is an hour i could be riding, or doing something else. There is a sweet spot. Somewhere around XT/SLX I figure. Past that, diminishing returns.
  • 3 1
 Saving money is definitely only for peasants. Rich people get rich by spending all their money all the time. Math!
  • 23 2
 Well, I just ran the numbers.
An SLX build 11spd, with an 11-46t rear cluster will set you back less money than this, but paired with a 30t front chainring, will deliver similar gearing inches.
Weightwise, the Shimano group comes in at about 150 grams less weight.
Honestly, what is the advantage of 12 over 11 speeds, apart from the one gear?
Is it worth 150 grams?
You can build up the SLX for $265 USD or about $310 CAD at CRC, so.....
Am I missing something here?
  • 4 0
 Honestly a 11-46 with a 32T or a 10-42 with a 30 is alot of range. If im going over 100rpm in my 30 and 10 im no longer mtbing... im gravel biking and i have another bike for that.
  • 3 0
 @solarplex: I'm never worried about going faster; I can always coast. I still haven't figured out how to coast up an incline, however, so until i do, I'll take all the the help I can get! Gearing preferences are somewhat personal, and dependent on physique. I used to ride with guys who thought that granny gears were, well, for grannies.
  • 4 0
 @woofer2609: its hard, but it rattles people. Nothing more heart breaking climbing and you hear a freehub engadge behind you.

Thats why i run a 30t... i will coast down over walk up any day.
  • 1 0
 Nope, 11-46t w/ 30t front will be my upgrade route once my 2x10 is toast (though sadly not toasting fast enough). That will be plenty of granny for the steep crap we have here. Hell I ran a 11-36t and 30t front and it was fine. Had to hike once and a while but it was doable.
  • 17 5
 SRAM just took another chunk of Shimanos market share. I think the real problem is that it will start to be spec’d on 5000 USD yetis and Santa Cruz bikes and other boutique bikes to reduce the MSRP by 50 bucks. It’s already a dire situation here in Canada when a $6500 bike has GX eagle rather than XO.
  • 9 1
 More like a tiny ding, than a chunk. People seriously don't realize how huge Shimano is.
  • 6 0
 @TheRaven: you can actually find revenues of both shimano and sram with quick google, I agree that shimano probably doesnt give a crap about 12sp nx also because 12s xt and slx are probably already in development..
  • 3 7
flag wibblywobbly (Jun 15, 2018 at 5:05) (Below Threshold)
 @winko: Shimano is going to be totally shut out of the OEM market for high end mountain bikes. What will that do to the aftermarket sales? What’s the profit margin on that and what’s the profit margin on endless amount of components for 500$ rail trail bikes they make....

You think SRAM stuff is expensive now, wait until Shimano truly gives up on the low volume mountain bike market.
  • 8 1
 @wibblywobbly: Are you insane? Shimano is gaining OEM marketshare currently. Consider how many brands ditched the SRAM/RS OEM spec for Fox/Shimano in 2018 MY bikes. YT actually dropped from 12-speed to 11-speed because of this. Even Specialized, which has been 100% SRAM/RS in their high-end builds since 2014 is now half/half SRAM/Shimano for 2018.

Don't mistake "being first to market" with "being best". Of course, "best" doesn't equal "best selling" either.
  • 16 6
 at this point shimano's ability to field a 12 spd drivetrain is kinda setting the baseline and its not even compatible with the rest of their equipment and freehubs.

the fact that not only can sram field amazing xx1 1200 dollar tech but also have a sub 400 dollar groupset that functions within 85% of their top end is a testament to who is doing it better.
  • 8 3
 "Who is doing it better" is clearly very subjective. Those of us who want our stuff to work, all the time, no question, have a different view.
  • 5 1
 If they're so much better then why do they always lose to Shimano when I spec a new bike for the most important person in the universe to me, me?
  • 6 1
 SRAM less, ride more Wink
  • 12 0
 Great... Not. Now all bikes that came equipped with GX Eagle will come with NX for the same prize. Mor weight for free..
  • 3 0
 Looking forward to 2019's crop of 35lb, $5000 XC-Trail bikes.
  • 9 0
 For anyone interested, here's a comparison sheet:

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16C3Rz6qmzmurSNd-L3IeMSFukkBFV6D1DRbfS59EDrE

It's row 37 at the moment. The closest competitor is actually a ZTTO, though Sunrace's CSMZ90 is also very similar. All three have even progressions.
  • 3 0
 Impressive
  • 2 0
 Nice work! I'm always happy to find fellow Excel geeks. Wink
  • 1 0
 @seppo5000: Indeed, though I only use Excel as a calculator. Google Sheets seems to add features at about the rate I need to use them.
  • 20 12
 Would not have this given, SRAM Eagle has been the worst product I’ve ever put on my bike. Managed to rip off 6 mechs (4 X01 and 2 GX) countless chain snaps, and 2 bent chains. All this in the space of 6 months. These mechs didn’t have a scratch on either so don’t say I hit a rock. It’s a known fault by SRAM that they have kept hidden, some of you may of noticed that they have started providing rear mechs with little ridges on the jockey wheels. this supposedly fixed the problem of the chain slipping into the space between the jockey wheel and cage but still managed to mangle a one week old X01 mech with the new “improved” jockey wheel. Utter rubbish, had friends have exactly the same problems too, riding Shimano XT now and not a single issue.
  • 14 3
 This. getting a little loose with the chain wrap limits. Shimano is conservative for a reason. shit happens in the real world that is hard to test for.
  • 9 0
 Hey now!! I've had that happen on my Shimano rear der before!! ...after 7500 miles when the jockey wheel bearings crumbled to dust.
  • 4 7
 Or maybe you just beat the shit out of your kit? I've been on the same GX rear derailleur for 6 months and I ride 1-2 times a week. Still works as perfectly as it did out of the box.
  • 7 0
 So true. Although I haven't actually busted the mech yet I've had it jam plenty of times. Almost everyone I've talked to with eagle has done the same. Once this drivetrain wears out I'll be going back to 11 speed. All the review on eagle are very biased, sure it runs smooth when it's set up perfect but comes out of adjustment very quickly and is very finicky when it comes to adjustment. I highly doubt most users are actually making full use of the range too.
  • 2 0
 You should see my gx derailleur, it's beat to shit. Rocks, trees, and constant pummeling have not been kind to it... That said, it still works perfectly. It's easy enough to set up, and works like a beaut.
  • 14 1
 But does it Djent?
  • 1 0
 LOL. This gold
  • 2 0
 It surely covfefes hard enough. That'll have to do.
  • 10 0
 You're definitely getting A LOT of cassette for the money...
  • 5 4
 615g cassette, or brain tumor. Tough decision.
  • 1 0
 SRAM is taking you to new direction, heavier parts= higher price!
  • 9 0
 I'll stick with my 11-42t Sunrace 10-speed cassette at 390g and $50. Thanks.
  • 3 2
 It a good affordable option for people that may just be getting into the sport.
  • 7 0
 @THE-GUNT: Seems to work fine on my high end bike, and I've been riding for decades.
  • 1 0
 @THE-GUNT: Jared Graves runs Sram 10-42 11 speed cassette with xtr rear mech. He reckons is the most reliable package. That guy know a thing or two in my opinion.
  • 1 0
 What’s your point?
  • 6 0
 Sram realizes that their xd driver can never trickle down to the lower end and be a universal standard. They just saw Shimano release their brilliant new xtr system which has a huge future. So they release this big heavy cassette backpedaling from xd and this is brilliant how? You can already buy lighter Sunrace cassettes with this range. Why would I buy this? To run a wimpy Sram read derailleur that will twist up like a coil when I snag a twig?
  • 9 0
 I might actually upgrade my 10 speed now that I can just use the same hub
  • 3 0
 I can't believe that I might only need a new BB and be back in the upgrade game with my 6 year old bike.
  • 4 3
 @mentalhead: you need a new derailleur and a new shifter. All to get some bizarrely spaced 12 speed. Get a Shimano 1146 (ligther) or any of the huge amount of aftermarket 50 and it would cost you less.
  • 3 0
 @mentalhead: look into the sunrace cassettes. they are cheaper, about the same weight, and offer similar ranges as shimano and sram stuff.
  • 1 1
 @cuban-b: This. I use only Sunrace cassettes now. They offer options that neither SRAM nor Shimano do, at the same quality as Shimano, and generally cheaper.
  • 9 0
 "The NX Eagle cassette weighs 615 grams"

DAYUM
  • 14 0
 Goes great with the 341g NX rear derailleur. Pairs perfectly with a 1200g 29+ tire and 700g 29er rim. AWESOME!!!!! Unstoppable setup.
  • 2 0
 Unstoppable indeed
  • 2 0
 That's heavier than and 1x Shimano low end SLX Crankset!!
  • 8 0
 Stoked to see a review of the sunrace 12speed drivetrain. Budget 12 speed shootout! NX vs MZ80!
  • 4 0
 @danielsapp listen to this man please!!!
  • 4 0
 @southoftheborder: We'll see what we do!
  • 8 4
 I wish I was a little surprised at how excited the PBers are for NX Eagle... If somebody needs a 50t because they are struggling on the steep climbs, the last thing they need is to add a 615g cassette to the rear wheel. If you mix and match with gx, xx1 or whatever you still need the XD driver and a bunch of cash. What is the obsession with 1x12?
  • 2 1
 PB is sponsored by SRAM, so there's a lot of ninja accounts here to pump up the crowed!
  • 5 1
 SRAM must be so scared of the new XTR that’s coming! I’m glad Shimano do like SRAM did with the Eagle! Who cares about compatibility when you have a supperior product like the new XTR, non existing industry standard, and high bike prices!
  • 6 0
 Shimano SLX + Sunrace 11-50t cassette = $70 cheaper and at least 100 grams lighter, and only one less gear.
  • 4 0
 Yep. These components are not competitive at all.
  • 4 1
 Check out how perverted I am: I'm super excited to buy one of these cassettes, strip out 6 of the cogs and run it as a 2x6. Actually you could make 2 six-speed cassettes for 100 bucks, run them with a 28-38 front and have a massive gear range, low chain stress and the most golden chain line on your one-inch wide cassette. This is like a present to weirdos like me who still like front derailleurs!
  • 5 0
 I found it interesting that the "Budget Friendly" GX group ended up only available on $4k-$6k bikes. I wonder where the NX group will fall.
  • 3 0
 The 11 speed NX ended up on 32lb $3000 bikes that were 31lb and $2500 last year...
  • 2 0
 @yzedf: Which is exactly where GX was before 12 speed.
  • 4 0
 I'm guessing they've addressed the issue with the top pulley bolt getting ripped out of the cage? If not, great way to sell new mechs and pulleys I guess...I'll stick with my obsolete X01 11 speed thanksss.
  • 5 0
 Another freehub munching cassette from SRAM. Good to see the trickle down I guess, but I still don't see much benefit to 12 speed so I'll pass.
  • 3 0
 454% range and its Ebike rated... why? pick a chainring so you utilise the 15.5mph top speed, and the bottom gear will have you below walking speed at the same cadence. Youve got an Ebike; you should be climbing at 10mph (if only to get away from the hurtful comments)
  • 6 1
 Gx eagle is already almost impossible to dial properly, dialing this will take even more. SRAM may have the range, but shimano has everything else.
  • 2 5
 Are you kidding? Gears aren't that complicated dude.
  • 7 2
 @YouHadMeAtDrugs: exactly, they aren't. So why is it so hard for SRAM to make it properly?
  • 3 5
 @aamgdp: they aren't that complicated to set up either. Takes minutes, if that. Have you even set up Eagle before? No different than any other decent groupset.
  • 6 1
 @YouHadMeAtDrugs: No, I could do 3 shimano drivetrains in one gx eagle's time. I can't fault XX1 and XO1 eagles tho, they are just fine to ride and work with, but priced accordingly. That's why I'm worried about even lower 12 speed, it's gonna be a hassle.
  • 10 3
 Evan
  • 6 0
 Fred
  • 4 0
 Mike
  • 4 0
 Helen
  • 5 0
 Allen
  • 5 0
 Evan
  • 3 0
 Joseph
  • 2 0
 Igor
  • 2 6
flag speed10 (Jun 14, 2018 at 7:52) (Below Threshold)
 Ebike
  • 7 0
 друг
  • 3 0
 @lindblomxc: vladimir
  • 5 0
 Bacon
  • 4 2
 LOL, i'm using a sram 10-speed 11-36t XG-1099 cassette I got on pinkbike for $60, ONLY WEIGHS 202 GRAMS!!! Uses the same tech as the eagle cassette, its machined out of a solid block. All other components in my drivetrain are shimano XTR 10-speed and I can tell you my bike shifts as good as it gets. Why in the world would somebody want to add another pound for 50t, I feel thats just overkill but I guess it really depends on your terrain. I like Shimano and Sram equally but I need to be honest and say Shimano has the better deals on the drivetrain, so hard to beat SLX 11-46T groupset, dirt cheap too. This Sram NX groupset seems pretty nice but just too heavy for my liking
  • 15 9
 I'm starting to feel bad for Shimano...
  • 58 1
 Start to feel bad when SRAM makes a superior fishing reel, until then never feel sorry for rich corporations
  • 12 0
 @Tmackstab: ROFL. They do make DAMN good reels. The movement is so smooth.
  • 8 10
 Why? SRAM puts turds in the market. Have you seen the new XTR Group that's coming? I'm waiting for that, and I'm not even a Dentist!
  • 13 0
 @Tmackstab: Exactly. Shimano makes more in fishing that SRAM makes with Sram and Rockshox together most likely. They will be ok. Both companies make great stuff with a few quirks. The constant bashing one or the other is laughable at best. Rubber side down folks!
  • 3 0
 @bman33:

Speaking of SRAM/Rockshox together..... the problem is the OE experience.

I'm totally cool with bike co's speccing SRAM/RS all over the damn place until you get to the Reverb post. the one chink in the armor. But whatcha gonna do.
  • 4 0
 @WasatchEnduro: Spot on with regards to Reverb. For myself, two blow Reverbs and I am out. Fox Transfer now that has been great for over a year and it's cable actuated and NOT hyrdo..
  • 2 0
 @bman33:

Indeed. My spesh command post is insanely reliable and nut-smackingly fast and I love it..... just needs another inch of drop.
  • 2 0
 @WasatchEnduro: You are a brave man. I had a spesh dropper for a brief time on a hardtail. Risky adventures. Big Grin Big Grin
  • 6 1
 @rum501 Why? They continue to absolutely dwarf SRAM in sales. If you want to feel bad for someone feel bad for Reverb owners.
  • 5 2
 I reckon Shimano will release a legacy 11-51t cassette as well as a 10-51t with XT. To be fair, with XTR, there's no need for a cheaper hub option. It's not supposed to be cheap.
  • 6 0
 I'll be over here with my 439g 11-46 11sp XT cassette for $63.
  • 5 0
 touche.
  • 4 2
 I'm not sure if it's a quality issue or bad luck but my GX derailleur blew up within a couple months of riding. Not sure if it was bad luck or a particularly gruesome insult to it. I'm still not sure what happened: fairly innocuous section of downhill trail and no precipitating shift or crank through on a shift-loud click- weird feel- no jockey wheels and bent to hell. I came from an xtr system that ran flawless for 2 years and an xt that ran flawless for 4 years before that. Maybe just a strange event and I peeled an errant twig through it at an uncommon angle but still was not impressed that the thing ended up f*$kered beyond repair so rapidly. Hurray for zip ties to bodge things single speed to get me out and still have a decent ride! Any one lese had similar issues? If so- I certainly wouldn't want to take a step down in quality from that one. I replaced mine with an X0 which is running well thus far.
  • 1 0
 I had an issue with the large cog 50T, some how i manged to snapped a tooth of two cassettes. In those occasions i remember hearing a loud pop and my chain came lose on their heavy load. After the cassettes still worked fine, never the less i took the to My LBS and Sram warranty them with in 4 days i had the new one on. I still dont know if it is the derailleur perhaps? the first cassette had probably 600 miles, the second on may be 100; now is running super smooth. This new NX 12 speed is going to take a huge part of Shinamo business, just hope is not spec in 5k bikes. I think shinamo took to long on releasing their 12 speed. Is 12 speed necessary? no. But sure is good to have on days that you just dont have the juice.
  • 5 3
 everytime i have to stop to help someone on the trail it's inevitably a newer rider on a bike equipped with low-end OEM SRAM parts. every time. SRAM is concerned about winning the OEM market first, second, and third at the expense of riding experience. buy once cry once people.
  • 6 1
 If they didn't have OEM, who would buy their products then? They are overpriced and you'd spend the better part of the year sending it for warranty.
  • 4 0
 I'm pinching myself right now... affordable parts review on Pinkbike? Oh wait, I scrolled down and there's a $300 pump... okay this is real. Good job SRAM
  • 3 1
 Makes perfect sense for SRAM to release this. They now officially own the 12 speed market, and andybody today buying a new mtb >2500€ will want that, just because its the newest stuff. BUT: 615g at the rear axle!? seriously? I am no weight weenie, but 170g more and significantly less range than the "real" Eagle for some 10 bucks less than GX? Lighter, probably cheaper depending on the cassette, to be honest I´d rather run shimano SLX with the 11-46 or 11-50 Sunrace/Garbaruk cassettes. Also (I know, I know anecdotes are no evidence) but out of the 4 people I regularly ride with who own SRAM stuff, on ALL of them the thing the B-Tension screw pushes against broke away. LBS told us "happens all the time". Fix it? Well buy a new RD.

Anyways, I really like sram stuff for the most part. And this makes total sense business-wise. But I´m not really excited about it. Rather get the xd driver and go GX, atleast for the cassette.
  • 1 0
 @daweil: $10 less?! Please, link me where to get a brand new complete GX Eagle drivetrain (including cranks/chainring) for $385 USD. This is the complete NX; the only GX groups I've seen in your stated price range excluded the cranks and chainring, sometimes more.
  • 1 0
 @mtbikeaddict: I´m writing about the cassette alone. And okay I exaggerated, I think the difference is like 20€ depending on the shop, and nx will likely drop more with street pricing.
  • 2 0
 @daweil: Oh, ok. Dang it, just when you got me all excited! Razz
  • 3 1
 This is big deal, particularly for any riders that were still running 2x drive trains. Once you take off the front derailure and the second ring the weight difference is pretty much zero and you get to simplify your system and run the most up to date drive train. All for less than $400. Pretty awesome. These are the type of developments and releases that probably aren’t huge money makers in and of themselves for companies but have a big impact in creating the impression that the company is rider focused, and is decoupling products for average joes just as much for wold cup competitors.
  • 1 1
 Why would I want to go from perfectly good 2x to the clearly inferior 1x?
  • 2 0
 @JohanG: Two (not very compelling) reasons - eliminate chain-slap noise on front D, and free up space for a shifter-style dropper post lever. Otherwise, yeah, keep using what works.
  • 3 1
 I’m not a weight snob by any stretch, but it wasn’t until I double checked the difference between my XT 10spd cassette and this one. 309g vs 615g... even a Sunrace 11-50 comes in at 586g. A savings of 30g
  • 7 3
 I'd rather have 2x8 at this point. 38/22t chainrings and 11-32t cassette. Lighter, stronger, more reliable, better gear ratios. Bet you could release it as the next big thing and charge out the nose for it.
  • 2 0
 Exactly. If price is all that matters this is a great product, but I'd rather not add over a half pound to the rear of my bike with the cassette alone compared to X01 or even an E13. I thought the XT cassette was heavy!
  • 1 0
 I was the first one to doubt about the performance of gx eagle but after close to 1500km in 7 months, I am really amazed how well it works.
I sadly ripped the derailleur apart when a branch made contact with it but it has been replaced since (the gx eagle derailleurs are still hard to source in canada as far as availability goes). The new derailleur has a really crisp feel and just feels so smooth. My only gripe would be the quality of the pulley wheels. After a rough autumn and the occasional spring muddy ride, one of the pulleys almost seized even though I cleaned and regreased them. The derailleur has a bit of side-to-side play but you can't feel it on a trail.
  • 3 0
 Cool, so now can we have XO1 / XX1 gear at better prices ? Because surely the r&d cost must be paid to have trickled down to a cheapo mass produced drivetrain.
  • 4 0
 I stuck a granny ring on my crank and just manually put it over when the fire road is too much for my crapy lungs.
  • 1 0
 I almost did this.
  • 1 0
 Wouldn't it be neat if there was a little cage that could swap the chain over for you?
  • 1 0
 @JohanG: pointless for the amount of time I actually use it. if I was actually fit I wouldn't need it Frown
  • 3 0
 I am not interested in 12 speed. My next cassette will hopefully be a Garbaruck 11-45 ten speed. $210 / 270 grams with the lock ring.
  • 1 0
 Guess Eagles been around for a while. This brand image top down, trickle down effect means NX is the end of the line. SRAM wins for now. I hope when Shimano finally does SLX 12 speed, it I'll be 11 to 51, fitting on a standard hub and cheaper, more reliable, and better quality than NX, or with10 to 51 with Shimano driver to compete against GX. Lets see? In the mean time wonder what new Eagle replacement will be? Maybe the advantages 30t clearance and 8 to 46 makes more sense for MTB?
  • 1 0
 Now that 12 speed XTR and HG compatible Eagle are available, it's clear that my 1x upgrade will be 11 speed XT 11-46. Might use an 11-50 Sunrace cassette but it is 100 grams heavier. That boat anchor NX cassette is ridiculous.
  • 4 2
 remember when the old sram cassetes had that bolt running through them so they didnt dig into alloy cassettes Wub a DUBa DUB DUB
  • 2 0
 How about an 11speed cassette with more range than 10-42? I’m really enjoying my e13. Seems like a sram option would be nice. Especially if they made it a one piece 10-46
  • 1 1
 oh, stop it, that would made new XTR in 11-mode even more pointless.
  • 2 0
 sunrace
  • 1 0
 @cuban-b: This. Sunrace even makes an 11-46 10sp cassette.
  • 1 0
 This is great news, since hopefully the 12-speed NX derailleur and shifter would be pretty affordable and then one can use a Sunrace or Garbaruk cassette and not have to spend a ton of dough.
  • 7 5
 The new XTR can’t compete with this. You can get a whole NX drivetrain for the price of a Shimano derailleur, and it’s on a standard freehub. Nice work Sram tup
  • 1 0
 I was happier when I was 15, and didn't care. Had a 8 speed, it broke, then I just rode it single speed with the cassette still on. I guess caring is nice, but if you're shitty on shit, you're shitty on anything.
  • 2 0
 Sunrace 11 - 50T cassette with the rest of the GX componentes keep being the best alternative as far as weight and function IMO
  • 4 0
 Shimano ,s tooth goes to 51.
  • 4 0
 60$ xt 11-46 cassette all day long.
  • 1 0
 For people like me who still run 135QR (older Niner SIR 9) the cassette alone makes this a viable option. Though is it wrong to put that cassette on a XTR hub on WTB Ci24 rims? Who cares....
  • 1 0
 Might be a worthy upgrade to my niner when the drivetrain wears out. Currently has 2x10 X7 and only use the small ring on epic uphill or if I'm scaling unfamiliar trails. Probably wont need a 50t cog though.
  • 1 1
 Thanks SRAM!

www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-suisse-bike-mechanical-costs-christian-a-shot-at-stage-victory

Dropping the chain can happen on a traditional drivetrain with a front derailleur, and Christian's mechanical could be down to a number of factors - low clutch tension, a slightly too-long chain, the lack of a chain guide and a number of other reasons could all be to fault.

However, a rattling from the rear derailleur at the finish line suggests low clutch tension, or a failed clutch system, could have been the cause of the dropped chain and the reason Christian lost time.
  • 1 0
 Some guya few years ago came up with a frame with internal gear system called infinitely adjustable gears tha simply set to a gear right for the slope you were riding. Don’t remember the brand thouh!
  • 1 0
 Now if we can get SRAM to come out with some Crocs similar to what Shimano makes.....well we all know how awesome that would be!!!!
  • 1 0
 Where are ya gunna ride that ah?!
  • 8 9
 Sram will always be Shimanos little brother , they use Shimanos spline design , and also copied the XD driver off of old Shimano recumbent hubs... All those ''Take that Shimano!!'' comments will do a 180 degree turn after Shimano releases the new XT & SLX 12 speed groups that have better quality , weigh less , and also cost less.
  • 4 6
 2 years too late. nobody who bought new bike with eagle won't even consider upgrade to shimano
  • 6 1
 Ya they will @strasznyzbigniew:
  • 7 0
 Have you had your daily dose of fanboi juice? OK, not let's talk seriously. Shimano and SRAM have had very different approaches to the drivetrain market ever since SRAM accepted they couldn't make a decent front derailleur. That ended up paying big for them, and Shimano had to give in and start making oneby groupsets. OTOH, Shimano chooses to release their innovations and propagate them top to bottom, while SRAM focuses on the OEM market.
  • 3 1
 @southoftheborder:

Sram didn't invent 1x , they just labeled it their inventition .... ''1x technology''... People were running Shimano 1x 10+ years ago..
  • 3 0
 @Leg: When did I say they invented it? In fact, I wrote they had to go 1x because they front derailleurs sucked big time. They just saw an opportunity and took it. They caught Shimano off guard, and made them jump on the oneby bandwagon too late, and with a poor execution.
  • 2 1
 @southoftheborder: yea, us freeriders invented 1x long time before shimano or sram even thought about it.
  • 1 0
 @weebleswobbles: Amen Bro! 1x was born out of a need: to keep the chain on the chainring when even chainguides weren't invented.
  • 1 0
 @southoftheborder: they have 2x chain guide since like 2005 and just using s clutch dereuailer helps enough to not need one. I'm not sure why but a new shimano slx 2x has bigger range and is cheeper and more reliable than sram. Trust me I love 1x but I do love the old massive range we had. Almost feels like the industry went backwards
  • 2 0
 Do they make it sram driver compatible too? would be keen to upgrade from 11spd gx to this but need to get a new driver
  • 9 0
 You can run all of this and the GX cassette I am sure.
  • 3 0
 Yah, you get a gx 12 cassette.
  • 2 1
 The NX cassette is only in a splined driver version but the group is compatible across the whole line so you could run the GX, XO1, etc. cassette with this group and have no issues.
  • 5 3
 So next time I rip off my 2018 GX Eagle derailleur, the replacement part will be cheaper? Sweet!
  • 14 5
 Wouldn't happen if you had a Shimano shadow mech
  • 2 0
 I'll be getting this gruppo with a GX cassette (already have an XD driver body). Seriously stoked - well done SRAM!
  • 1 1
 I love SRAM product but aren't a dan of the ever changing standards / marginal gains if that makes sense. However, this time it's like walk up , drop a tune and drop the mic!! Fair play, Shimano, whatyagot??
  • 1 0
 Yo Daniel.
Why mention E bikes?
Are you new to PB?
This publication is primarily about Enduro DH and XC.
Why mention motor bikes?
Or crutch bikes as I like to call them.
  • 2 0
 So, do we play the elevator game - skip 13 and go straight to 14 out back next?
  • 2 0
 Or you can buy sunrace 11-50 for your existing 1x11 for a lot less, with the same range, abd ability to run shimano stuff
  • 2 0
 Very valid point.
  • 3 4
 SRAM is out for the masses, it seems. Everyone is barking at Shimano for releasing a proprietary freewheel body with XTR whereas it was SRAM who initially made the blunder. Now SRAM is smart enough to keep NX compatible with Shimano, which leads me to think that SRAM is not after the shallow pocket working class mountain bikers but instead, are out to do some damage to Shimano's customer base. Excellent tactics so far as i am concerned.
  • 7 6
 SRAM has my money. Practical innovation. Meanwhile Shimano continues to decline in my book
  • 6 6
 Shimano needs to get their act together. SRAM already owns the 12-speed market and NX level kit will serve to further establish that dominance.
  • 10 11
 You can keep your NX, have you seen the new XTR? That's LIT!
  • 7 2
 Shimano is the one building stuff that works all the time every time. SRAM needs to get their act together.
  • 3 5
 @TheRaven: let’s be honest. They both have their duds. But Shimano has been coasting off this aura of reliability for years. XT Brakes are just as bad as Elixers were back in the day. Eagle derailleur are exposed and sensitive to gusts of wind. Everything that isn’t XTR is made in a Laotian sweatshop with zero QC. Shimano derailleur clutches have a four month lifespan. The reverb...

But overall, Shimano’s lack of innovation and engineering excellence is ignored in favor of positive brand image from 8 years ago from when they were the best.
  • 5 3
 @wibblywobbly: I was being honest. They do both have their duds. Shimano's duds still work. There's been no coasting. XT brakes are the benchmark against which all others are judged...comparing them to Elixirs? What are you smoking? SRAM clutches don't last...i've never had to replace a Shimano clutch.

Lack of innovation and engineering excellence? LOL...when XT is more durable and more reliable than XX1 despite being cheaper than GX? I guess you'll see what you want to see...but you gotta be smoking some quality stuff to really believe this.
  • 5 5
 @TheRaven: you obviously have your point of view and I have mine. Are you like a Shimano rep or something? You seem awfully invested in them. All I’ll say is I’ve ridden enough bikes and spent enough money to have a real opinion, no a regurgitation of forum talking points from eight years ago when Shimano was the unquestioned king. I’m under no illusions that SRAM is perfect. The sad thing is Shimano with all their resources could be so much better than what they are.
  • 10 3
 @wibblywobbly: I'm just a 19-year rider with lots of wrenching experience. I go by nothing but my experience and the experience of the riders I know personally. Yeah i'm definitely partial to Shimano...but that comes from my nearly two-decades of experience. You ride something for long enough and have almost no issues whatsoever, and then try out the new-kid and immediately start having problems, logic dictates how you will react to that.

The sad thing is that there's no objective reason to say that Shimano isn't already fantastic. You can say you like SRAM better for personal reasons but to say Shimano could be "so much better"...i'd love to hear some objectivity as to how. They already make the best brakes in the business, and when they launch their drivetrains they are properly developed and tested...unlike the miscues and recalls that happen with every single SRAM launch. As you said both brands have their duds, but Shimano's "duds" are dumb ideas with excellent craftsmanship and quality (like dual-control, or 40t 1x cassettes, for instance) whereas SRAMs "duds" are poorly designed AND poorly executed (like the Reverb, or all Avid/Elixir brakes for instance).

Their respective mottos are painfully obvious: SRAM - get it out first and make it look good, Shimano - get it out right and make it last.
  • 4 0
 @wibblywobbly: Wibbly, honest question - assessment of effort level by Shimano on the new XTR?
  • 4 4
 @mm732: three years late. They needed to be coming out with SLX 12 right now. Their big advantage is Di2 and that is another year out. And they seem to be sticking with wires.

The new hub is interesting, but the engagement isn't anything special and the way they are rolling it out to the market may make it dead on arrival.

They need to do a better job of marketing the alloy cranks and telling me why they are better than carbon because it seems like a company stuck in their ways rather than innovating. Same with the bearings in the hubs.

And for being the "masters of metal" they still can't match the way SRAM machines their cassettes.

Want to believe the brakes are fixed, but they will have to prove it to me.

Shimano is big enough right now that they can push back against the future. Right now they are playing catch up by hitting infield singles.
  • 3 4
 @TheRaven: I'm sorry but the current gen Shimano brakes are not the best in the business.They just aren't. They aren't even as good as the previous generation.

what was the miscues that happened with the Eagle launch? It's hard to adjust and set up right?
  • 5 2
 @wibblywobbly: Shimano is not late simply because SRAM released it first. I assert that SRAM was early...a point I can back up with the quality issues and fixes SRAM has had to release to fix their early product.

Better job of marketing their alloy cranks? The ones that are just as light, while being cheaper and more durable than SRAMs carbon equivalents? You don't need marketing when the product speaks for itself.

SRAM's cassette machining? Huh? You mean their $400-500 cassettes? Show me a $400-500 Shimano cassette and we'll take a look at the machining.

Current Shimano brakes are the benchmark against which all others are judged. Go ahead, start a poll...Shimano wins with Hope in second. Hope makes great brakes and you could argue they are just as good as Shimano, but they are also double the price.

As for Eagle miscues- just Google "SRAM Eagle pulley issue".
  • 2 4
 @wibblywobbly: well said.
  • 3 2
 Not bad but 615g for the cassette? Ouch. That’s crazy heavy. Good value though.
  • 2 0
 So you can fit this on 135, 142, and 148?
  • 1 0
 If its a Shimano type cassette body.
  • 3 1
 Cassette - 615g never, for free is too much for full susp bike.
  • 2 0
 It’d bee cool to run this group with the cane creek crankset
  • 2 0
 615g of a cassette.. get a front derailleur ffs...
  • 2 1
 I'm a Shimano man. Their stuff is nice, ever since I was 5 years old looking at fishing equipment.
  • 1 0
 Just curios how US taxes on china made products effect on product final piece??
  • 1 0
 Man.... what do I gotta do to be a test rider? I smash parts just hanging them on my car. @dsapp put me on
  • 3 2
 I'm not a mathematician, but pricing works out to $380 USD...just say'in
  • 6 5
 Srams take over of the OEM market has just been verified #eagleengaged
  • 2 0
 Just 50, eh?
  • 3 4
 This is innovation I can get behind! Shimano, you listening?
A little hefty on the cassette compared to Shimano's 11-46 11spd cassette....but otherwise well done.
  • 1 0
 Give me a 10-46t cassette and I'll be happy
  • 2 0
 Yes but SRAM
  • 1 0
 Mangler starting a new career as a Photog?!
  • 1 0
 Does this fit hope pro 2 evo hubs??
  • 1 0
 Ooft - mic drop!!
  • 2 1
 George
  • 1 0
 i want it now!
  • 1 0
 DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN YA'LL
  • 3 6
 How often do you catch those cables under the bottom bracket on rocks and trees?
  • 5 0
 I got a RM Instinct BC and never so far..............
  • 1 0
 @mtbgreg80302: On FS especially long travel I think under B.B. routing is a terrible idea. My Radon swoop has under B.B. routing and I’ve severed a brake hose and crushed an gear cable outer so far this season. My hard tails under B.B. no problem.
  • 3 5
 SRAM WITH THE WIN ! Again
  • 4 6
 And SRAM continues to destroy Shimano
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.064493
Mobile Version of Website