SRAM announce GX Eagle: 12-Speed for the Masses


What’s Eagle all about? 

The Eagle 12-speed concept doesn’t need a lot of explaining, beyond the simple fact that its 500% gear range (10-50 tooth cassette) delivers the same gearing spread as most 2×11 systems, but of course without the complication of a front derailleur. As big believers in 1x drivetrains (and seriously, who isn’t?) we’ve been thoroughly impressed by the Eagle drivetrains we’ve ridden to date. If the GX drivetrain can deliver the same benefits and much of the performance at a fraction of the price, then SRAM are going to get a lot of riders on board.

Insert your bike here, for less than $800 AUD.

What is the cost break down?

As with other versions of the Eagle drivetrain, the cassette is the most expensive item in the groupset, at $319. Still, that’s a damn sight cheaper than the X0 or XX1 versions of the Eagle cassette. The GX chain is well priced at just $59, so overall price of the wear-out items in the drivetrain are far more affordable. All prices are listed below.

Trigger                                                  $69.95

Grip Shift                                             $69.95

Rear derailleur                                  $179.95

Cassette XG1275                              $319.95

GX Eagle chain                                   $59.95

GXP/GXP Boost crank                    $219.95

BB30/BB30 Boost crank                 $299.95

The GX Eagle cranks are solid looking alloy numbers. We love the look of the direct mount chain ring. Noiiice.

What’s involved in going to 12-speed?

The 12-speed drivetrain really is a complete system, you can’t just bung on a cassette and shifter and go climb a mountain. The Eagle chain and chain ring are specific to 12-speed, as is the derailleur, which is a serious piece of engineering in order to accommodate the massive cassette spread. So if you’re keen on soaring like an Eagle, you’re looking at installing a new drivetrain in its entirety. Lucky it just got cheaper then, huh?

Oh, and your rear hub needs to have an XD freehub – Eagle won’t fit on a Shimano freehub.

It takes a big derailleur to handle a big cassette.

 

Does it weigh more than a 1980 Land Rover?

No! The weights are a real surprise actually. We’re going off SRAM’s quoted weights here, but you’re looking at only a 290g weight penalty over X0 Eagle. The full GX Eagle groupset is 1794g, compared to 1501g from X0 and 1456g for XX1 Eagle.

At $319.95, the cassette is the priciest item in the GX Eagle drivetrain. But, given it’s essentially allowing you to ditch a front derailleur, a chain ring or two, a shifter and a cable, perhaps the cost isn’t too bad after all!

When will it be here?

GX Eagle should be in Australia late July/early August 2017. We’ll be ensuring we get a groupset on test, pronto. Now, read below for SRAM’s own blurb.

*unless you’re towing a trailer in the Alps while and chasing down road bunches on the descents. 
GX testing at Manly Dam.

GX Eagle Crankset

The reliability of forged aluminum crank arms is undeniable, and the GX Eagle™ crankset completes its performance mission with the new X-SYNC™2 direct mount chainring. With numerous Eagle™ ring size options, your range can be tuned for any ride you can find yourself on.  The GX Eagle™ crankset is designed around not only SRAM bottom brackets, but Eagle™ technology as a whole.

FEATURES/BENEFITS

Durable 7000 series forged aluminum crank arms

Best-in-class chain retention and wear characteristics with X-SYNC™2 tooth profiles engineered to match perfectly with SRAM Eagle™ chains

Light weight and durable direct mount ring construction

A master-class crankset at a working-class price point, the super-tough GX Eagle™ crankset makes it easy for riders who are hard on equipment and/or setting up multiple bikes to have 100-percent Eagle™ compatibility


GX Eagle Rear Derailleur

Simply put, the new GX Eagle™ derailleur extends the range of your riding because of its ability to handle the 10-50t Eagle™ cassette—but there’s more to this new derailleur than capacity. The GX Eagle™ derailleur includes the Type-3 ROLLER BEARING CLUTCH™, so that chain management feels the same on every cassette cog, small or large. And a new Eagle™ pulley design, combined with the SRAM Eagle™ chain, helps to make this drivetrain super quiet and incredibly efficient.

FEATURES/BENEFITS

Best-in-class chain management with our proven X-HORIZON™ design and Type-3 ROLLER BEARING CLUTCH™ technology

Simplified installation and added robustness with our repositioned CAGE LOCK™

Best-in-class 1x efficiency and quiet operation with our Eagle™ pulley technology

The GX Eagle™ derailleur carries with it the rough-and-tumble toughness of our X-HORIZON™ design; no derailleur wants to be abused, but the X-HORIZON™ design is built to withstand a lot


GX Eagle Trigger Shifter

The GX Eagle™ trigger shifter is the control center of the new Eagle™ drivetrain that unlocks its range to allow you to realize full potential of Eagle™. Superior ergonomics and adjustability let you shift quickly, comfortably and intuitively. The GX Eagle™ shifter carries with it all of the enhancements and improvements that the XX1 and X01 Eagle™ trigger shifters received, improving trigger feel, precision and durability for every rider on any terrain.

FEATURES/BENEFITS

Eagle™ provides the smoothest and most reliable 1x shifting in mountain biking

Optimized shifting precision via X-ACTUATION™ cable pull works flawlessly with Eagle™ rear derailleurs

Super durable forged aluminum trigger is designed to take a beating

With MatchMaker™ X you can adjust your shift, brake and Reverb lever setup for lever ergonomics that are perfect for your hand position and the way you ride


GX Eagle Grip Shift

Three decades ago, SRAM was founded on a product called Grip Shift, and an idea that shifting a bike should be easier, better and more intuitive. The new Eagle™ Grip Shift includes new, robust internals that make it even more durable and its shifting performance more precise. But just like the original, it is total control in the palm of your hand, but this time with Eagle technology to accompany it.

FEATURES/BENEFITS

Improved precision and durability with our new Grip Shift mechanism

The most durable shifter option for SRAM Eagle drivetrains

Grip Shift is the shifter choice for many ultra-endurance athletes and extreme cold weather riders, since shifting Grip Shift requires less manual dexterity than a trigger shifter does


XG-1275 Eagle Cassette

Best-in-class 1x range that allows you to ride anywhere, this XG-1275, 10- to 50-tooth Eagle™ cassette FULL PIN™ technology uses lightweight, stamped steel cogs held together with high-strength stainless steel pins. The result: a cassette that’s light and strong. The open design—similar to our X-DOME™ cassette—aids in mud clearance, giving you cleaner shifting performance and longer component life. New X-GLIDE™2 teeth features mate perfectly with Eagle™ chains to improve both inboard and outboard shifting, as well as chain retention.

FEATURES/BENEFITS

Extremely durable and lightweight cassette that incorporates FULL PIN™ technology using eleven lightweight, stamped steel cogs and one 50-tooth aluminum cog held together with high-strength stainless steel pins

Perfect range for any ride with our 10-50t [500 percent] gearing

Smooth, consistent and optimized gear steps across entire range of cassette

The XG-1275 Eagle™ cassette not only offers a massive 500-percent gear range for lower low gears and higher high gears, but also the ability for advanced level riders to ride larger chainrings for a smoother overall pedaling feel


GX Eagle Chain

Though you may think of it as a humble assistant to the rest of the groupset, the GX Eagle™ chain is the epicenter of the drivetrain. Featuring link plate geometry optimized for massive 500-percent range, Eagle™ derailleurs, chainrings, cassettes and shifters have been designed to work perfectly with Eagle™ chains. Anything less is nothing but a performance, reliability and durability compromise.

FEATURES/BENEFITS

Increased longevity and better chain guiding with our all-new Eagle™ PowerLock® chain connector with FLOW LINK™ technology

Unique features and design also provide significantly improved wear resistance on Eagle™ cassettes and rings

The GX Eagle™ chain is constructed using the same link geometry and general manufacturing processes as XX1 and X01 Eagle™ chains, making it the ideal backup chain for XX1 and X01 riders

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