It would be impossible for us to pick the ultimate winner between SRAM and Shimano. sram groupset However, I would recommend running the NX Eagle cassette with a 30t chainring, rather than the 32t tested here, to get the slightly lower gear afforded by the 52t sprocket found on the other cassettes. The AXS drivetrain is wireless and very easy to set up. SRAMs range of mountain-biking drivetrains is truly impressive. Its similar to the XT but with an added R (which stands for racing). This is mainly due to improvements in the rear cassette, which is the next component we will discuss. However, shifting isnt as crisp as it could be and the cassette and derailleur are quite heavy. Shimano also created the first electronic mountain bike groupset in 2014the XTR Di2 M9050, though it was still a wired system. Shimano does not use carbon fiber on their crank arms. Found on the bottom of drop handlebars for road bikes, it made for more effortless shifting. All of the cogs on the sprockets and chainring have been tweaked to improve chain retention. Equally, shifting when putting the power down was trouble-free and generally fairly quiet, with no loud clunks or bangs as a gear was selected. For those keeping score at home, this range is better than 210 drivetrains can offer and has fewer moving parts to worry about. And, while SRAMs NX Eagle groupset was a solid performer out on the trails, where shifting was reliable thanks to technology taken from its more expensive counterparts, shifting wasnt as crisp as Id have liked and there were quality issues with the derailleur straight out of the box. The rear cassette is connected to the rear wheel via a freehub, which gives the pedaler momentum. speed derailleur Fabrication material is the main divergence here. Already have an account with us? The 212 options are a 36-26t chainring with either a 12-speed 10-45t cassette or a 12-speed 10-51t cassette. The NX Eagles cassette ratios are 11t, 13t, 15t, 17t, 19t, 22t, 25t, 28t, 32t, 36t, 42t and 50t. The chainring has been updated for improved mud clearing and a quieter ride. Weight is the main difference, with a minimum drop of 243g (0.5 lbs). Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. Because the PowerLock is not reusable, setting the chain to a useable length meant using another link. gx slx sram For simplicitys sake, we only show the Eagle groupsets as they are the benchmark, and everything else is cheaper and heavier (basically). 1x12 nx 175mm The key when buying a drivetrain is finding one that you can afford. Shimano has now been in the cycling game for a century. Shimano didnt make it into the US market until the 60s. The other issue with the NX cassette is its weight, which is just under 20g heavier than Shimanos Deore 10-51t cassette. SUMMER SALE | Try 3 issues of Cycling Plus magazine for 5 + Get a pair of Lusso cycling socks! The technology behind the shifter has rapidly evolved throughout the years. We did not include the Altus, Acera, or Alivio as it is very unlikely that riders will be upgrading to these systems. It also features Zero Loss, SRAMs name for when the shift levers action instantly pulls the gear cable for quicker gear changes. I will probably replace the crank set, but overall could you give a rating for the groupset? It has SRAMs Type-3 Roller Bearing clutch, to help improve chain control, and Cage Lock system, where the derailleurs cage can be locked in a forward position to make wheel removal easier. Some of the links in this website are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product using our link, we will earn a small commission. I personally found the 10-52t Deore cassette ratios, especially across the lower three gears, to offer more gradual and usable steps between each cog compared to NX Eagle, though theres always some personal preference in gearing setup. This means you dont need to switch out your freehub or buy an entirely new wheel to enjoy some of the higher-end SRAM kit options. ** First, a note on mountain biking jargon: All of the components listed below as part of the drivetrain collection are known as the groupset, groupo/gruppo, or group. This is because the higher-end components are made of more expensive components and more refined, time-consuming manufacturing. groupset sram bikeradar As you will see later in the article, for the most part, as the price tag of the groupsets increase, the weight will decrease. I heard you can shift under load. It is a call we dont want to make. With that said, if you find our review helpful and decide to purchase an item we review, we would be very appreciative if you use our links to do so. The Shimano SLX group is most commonly found on reasonably priced mountain bikes. 1x10 deore. These are the controls located in the bike cockpit that enable you to change gears. Well, there are a lot of little pieces of technology working in unison to maximize efficiency, and we still havent even brought up the derailleurs that allow you to move through different gears. On this side of the super-performance drivetrains, we have the XX1, which is slightly more expensive than the X01 because it is lighter thanks to carbon cranks and a carbon casing for the rear derailleur. nx 1x12 groupset sram dub eagle parts sutherland The AXS system for mountain bikes was introduced in 2019. Setting the derailleurs b-tension, as per all of SRAMs Eagle groupsets, needs to be done perfectly to ensure shifting performance, otherwise shifts can become lazy and the chain noisy on the cassette. The Daily Driver range is called Tourney and is made for commuting or flat trails, not something youd want to take up a Forest Service Road (FSR) or into the bush. The GX cranks are offered in both aluminum or carbon, a difference of 94 grams. Sturdy and shifts great but cant really compare to SRAM. I ride a giant stance 29 with a SX group set. I had to remove two additional links to set the chain to a length that meant it wasnt slack. With the technology you get for the price, it is hard to argue with the value. The derailleurs build quality could also be improved, but didnt seem to affect performance during the test period. One reviewer did say that if they could have the SRAM AXS controller and derailleur paired with the Shimano XTR hardware, it would be the perfect system. nx sram cassette Initially released in 2016, Eagle technology was only available on their higher-end drivetrains, but in the last 5 years, the technology has trickled down to essentially every other mountain-bike drivetrain in their arsenal. The grip shift allows you to travel through your entire range of gears in a single motion, so theres that. The cranksets black coating quickly wore off due to some shoe and ankle rub, which revealed the silver metal underneath. The SRAM X01 is designed and built for trail and enduro racing, so SRAM beefed up the cranks and the rear derailleur to make them more suited for rougher trails and enduro-style riding. Shimano has three subsets of mountain bike groupsets: Downhill, Daily Drivers, and Mountain Biking. In response to Shimanos electronic shifter system, SRAM released Red eTap, a wireless road bike groupset. The Acera group is lighter because it uses a hollow axle compared to the solid Altus axle. Although SRAM SX Eagle sits below it and is frequently specced as original equipment (OEM) on many bikes, consumers are unable to purchase it as a full groupset aftermarket. The performance is very similar to the higher end Shimano groupsets and it's very durable, just heavy. Shifting was consistent too, with few problems during the test period. An upgrade kit will set you back $600, but it gives you a glance into the world of the super expensive bike market that always seems just out of reach for us ordinary folk. NX Eagles shifting isnt as crisp as Deores, where each shift has significantly more definition. That drivetrain alone probably costs more than most of our entire bikes. Installation of the derailleur, shifter, cassette and crankset was straightforward, and no unusual steps were needed to fit it all to the bike. Alex moved to Morzine in the French Alps at 19 to pursue a career as a bike bum and clocked up an enormous amount of riding. The downside is that you need separate batteries for each derailleur. Now available with SRAMs AXS wireless rear derailleur, the GX is a very value-forwardand high-techoption for those that really hate wire rattle. However, the difference in shift quality and feel between NX Eagle and GX Eagle was stark. SRAM quickly responded with their own electronic shifter, the wireless AXS system. Both systems can be customized via their individual apps. Many people have been telling me to buy a shimano deore groupset instead of a sram groupset, could anyone tell me why? The NX chainring remained straight and true during testing, and although the chainrings teeth were showing signs of cosmetic wear and tear, they remained hook- and damage-free. The shifter can change five easier gears with one push of the paddle, while shifting to harder gears happens one at a time. The Deore XT is similar in setup to the SLX drivetrain but again with overall lighter weight. gruppos x01 Shimanos Deore retails for 285.95 / $297.95 / AU$539.50, which is significantly cheaper than NX Eagle. The Deore XT 32t chainring and crankset claim a weight of 620g while the SLX crank and chainring weigh 638galready 18g of weight saving in a similar component. Alex is also a regular on the BikeRadar Youtube channel and BikeRadar podcast. This means the smallest possible sprocket is limited to 11 teeth (rather than the 10-tooth sprocket found on XD-compatible cassettes), and to differentiate NX from more expensive offerings, the largest sprocket is 50-teeth rather than 52. The cranks are two-piece alloy that are bonded together for a lighter weight. SRAMs NX Eagle is a solid groupset with plenty of features borrowed from SRAMs more expensive groupsets. However, performance-wise, NX Eagle struggles to match Shimanos Deore, let alone challenge SLX. Drivetrains from the outside can all look very similar, but there are enough differences between SRAM and Shimano groupsets and technology for us to break down some of the more substantial contrasts. groupset sram 50t 175mm 34t velocidades grupales derailleur The technology is very much the same in the XT compared to the SLX, so youre really just seeing the weight savings. sram groupset Because the lock ring is plastic, its not possible to get a sufficient amount of tension in either the lock ring or pinch bolt to keep the ring tight for any duration of time. The SX is where you get into the serious business when it comes to SRAMs drivetrains. Hyperglide (HG) has become an industry standard for every 8-10 speed Shimano or SRAM cassette; Shimano 11-speed cassettes will also work on an HG freehub. SRAM released the eTap Red system in 2015 for their road bikes. Like SRAMs more expensive groupsets, the NX Eagle shifter is Matchmaker equipped, which means it can be clamped directly to compatible brake levers to save space on the handlebar. I dont have a compatible free hub, Deore. The derailleur doesnt use Shimanos Shadow Plus clutch but uses similar technology to reduce the chance of damaging the derailleur on the trail. The SRAM NX Eagle PG-1230 cassette differs from GX, X01 and XX1 Eagle cassettes in that it uses Shimanos HG freehub body standard instead of SRAMs own XD Driver. In an industry where the technology is practically the same, it truly comes down to individual feel and preference. 1000 Kms and nothing but issues. Basically it comes down to shifting performance. I have close to 800 miles on my NX setup, no issues so far. Before we shift things into high gear, lets start with a quick breakdown of the components that make up the drivetrain and the two main manufacturers of these components, SRAM and Shimano. For example, its possible to use the components in the NX Eagle range bar the derailleur with all of SRAMs other Eagle kit. nx sram shimano eagle I guess shifting isn't as nice, but hey so long as it gets me up the hill without doing something stupid and the chain doesn't pop off I'm happy. You help support Gear Hacker by purchasing from our retail partners. These drivetrains offered a 500% gear range, eliminating the need for 2x front chainrings. The company was founded in 1921 by Shozaburo Shimano to produce freewheels for bicycles. SRAMs Eagle ecosystem means that the majority of Eagle components are inter-compatible. gx slx shimano sram m7100 drivetrain groupset Take note: as mentioned before, the SRAM Eagle drivetrains from GX to XX1 now require SRAMs proprietary XD freehub body (10t-50t/52t). The durability can also decline in the super high-end offerings where weight saving is more crucial than longevity. axs drivetrain The DUB system cranks have a bottom bracket bearing preload lock ring on the non-driveside to help set bearing tension. The chainring uses Shimanos Dynamic Chain Engagement for chain retention to deliver smoother pedaling along uneven terrain. With a 2x or 3x crankset (40/30/22t) and a 9-speed cassette, this is a low-cost, low-technology build. SRAM claims this system improves bearing sealing and is compatible with its entire range of Eagle products. hierarchy groupset Furthermore, and similarly to GX Eagle kit, the DUB bottom bracket bearing preload lock ring came undone, causing the cranks to feel loose. When SRAM NX Eagle was launched in 2018, we covered most of the specifications and details in the initial review, but I am going to run through some of the top-line specs here. This doesnt appear to affect performance initially, but the from-new play doesnt decrease as the derailleur gets older and does eventually make shifts slower. Alex Evans is BikeRadar's mountain bike technical editor. Planning to get a new bike, largely to get better running gear. Much better shifting and more durable as well. Best Mountain Bike Tailgate Pad Review 2021, Best Convertible Mountain Bike Helmet Review, Best Short Travel Mountain Bike Review 2021, Best Long Travel Mountain Bike Review 2021. Shimano Deore. For the most part, people are not upgrading to these componentswe just didnt want them to feel excluded. The best thing you can do is test drive some setups at a local bike shop and see what you prefer. Word is Deore performs basically as well as XT, at an incredible price. I'm looking for a groupset ideally under $300 1x12 or 1x11, and for me it's either deore or NX, do you know of any other good groupset within the price range ? The shifter comes with a non-slip rubber face and 20% quicker engagement, as claimed by Shimano. An aluminium spider has the four lowest ratio sprockets pinned to it, while the remaining cogs are individually installed to the freehub body with spacers. groupset sram 50t 175mm 34t velocidades grupales derailleur Test conditions ranged from icy, freezing cold snow to hard-baked dust and copious amounts of gloopy mud. This is where SRAM enters the game. sram dub 4pcs groupset sx 1x12 eagle speed nx 50t icebikeheaven Upgrading from GX Eagle to GX Eagle AXS also lets you stop calling your shifters shifters and start calling them controllers. Ooh, la la! The chainring for the XX1 comes with a large range of teeth from 28-40t, offering the rider lots of options to fit their riding style. The SX and NX have poorer performance and the components are much more likely to break, particularly the rear derailleur. If the current Deore lives up to it predecessors, it will still shifting like new when all that is left on earth is cockroaches, sturmey-archer hubs and HP laserjet 4s. NX Eagle performs solidly on the trails, but for the money it isnt as good as the competition, GBP 365.00 RRP There is a third manufacturer, Campagnolo, but they make up a tiny percent of the mountain-biking components market in North America. sram nx I suspect there won't be anything left of them by 600mi lol. To fit SRAMs GX Eagle and above drivetrains, youll need SRAMs proprietary XD freehub body (10-50t/52t). The technology that was once only in the super high-end pieces of kit is slowly making its way down to the more affordable options, which is a win for everyone. If you are looking to get XTRs 12-speed cassette, you will have to upgrade to Shimanos Micro Spline freehub to accommodate the larger cassette. In terms of weight, the three groupsets compare as follows: SRAMs NX Eagle groupset is 30g heavier than Shimanos Deore M6100. Alex then moved back to the UK and put his vast knowledge of mountain biking to good use by landing a job working for MBUK magazine as features editor. SRAM conquered the reduced gear-range problem when they introduced their Eagle 1x drivetrains in 2016. SRAM has a 10-52t cassette, so they still sneak ahead with a slight advantage over the Shimano updates. We have finally reached the cream of the crop. What do you get as you bump up from the NX to the GX? Suffice it to say, you are looking at some serious kit. In the 1980s, Shimano introduced indexed shifting, which is now the basis for all mechanical shifters on bikes to this day. One of the hottest pieces of new technology is the electronic shifter or controller. First created by Shimano, their Di2 electronic drivetrain was impressive but still required wiring throughout the system. The cranks are hollow aluminum but are still almost 200g lighter than the cranks on the GX drivetrain. Dont worry! hierarchy groupset Its a little disappointing to see a crank wear this quickly, even if it is only cosmetic, but its no worse than the GX Eagle AXS and Shimano M8100 XT drivetrains Ive also tested. You will save a little weight from the Deore groupset with the alloy cassette. sram sx 1x12 groupset 175mm 5pcs derailleur velocidades grupo 170mm equivalent ubyk That may not seem like a lot, but my weight weenies out there will know this makes all the difference on those rooty uphills. Higher-end shifters also allow for faster gear changes by offering multiple gear drops with one thumb push. The NX cassette uses Shimanos HyperGlide (HG) freehub body instead of SRAMs XD Driver found on the rest of the brands 12-speed cassettes. This, SRAM says, makes ghost shifting impossible because the derailleurs body can only move horizontally as gears are changed rather than by bumps causing it to jump about. The Deore derailleurs clutch is adjustable compared to NXs non-adjustable version and controlled the chain better than NX. Sounds pretty simple, right? The front chainring is available in sizes from 30 to 38t for the single and 28/38t for the double. You can use a Sunrace cassette but you lose the hyperglide plus shifting. A full SLX groupset retails for 398.94 / $394.94 / AU$734 compared to NXs slightly lower price of 365 / $375 / AU$563 / 410. As a company, Shimano makes up approximately 80% of the global road-biking components market, but only 20% of the global mountain-biking market. If youre upgrading an older bike from 9-, 10- or 11-speed with an HG freehub body, thanks to NX Eagle not using an XD Driver with its cassette, its by far the least complicated and most cost-effective way into SRAMs Eagle ecosystem. axs drivetrain The cranks are directly mounted to the chainring and are hollow-forged with HOLLOWTECH II. Shimano now offers 12-speed cassettes with a 10-51t range in their top three drivetrain setups. So, who controls the other 80%? The Di2 electronic drivetrain is still wired. Shimano also had to create a new freehub to fit the larger cassette sizes. We participate in affiliate programs to help us fund Gear Hacker. Despite NXs from-new slop, my test samples reliability was good, though. The cassette uses the same ranges as the SLX and XT but features an alloy beam spider carrying 3 alloy, 5 titanium, and 4 chromoly sprocketssaving weight and adding a cool aesthetic to the rear cassette at the same time.