REVIEW: SRAM Transmission Drivetrain - Indestructible WIRELESS MTB Shifting
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- SRAM has made their new wireless 12-speed mountain bike drivetrain public and it's called Transmission. In this video, we'll dive into the prices, different models, weights, features, installation process, and how SRAM Transmission performed out on the trail.
0:00 - Intro
0:48 - UDH Required, Groupsets
1:28 - Transmission Pricing
3:36 - Transmission Weights
6:08 - Compatibility
6:50 - Features / Installation
10:15 - On-Trail / Shifting Performance
SRAM Transmission requires a mountain bike with a UDH interface, so if your derailleur hanger isn't UDH, Transmission won't work with your bike. And aside from the controller and battery, Transmission is not backward-compatible with existing SRAM Eagle drivetrains, AXS or cable-actuated. The reason is that Transmission components require the SRAM Flat Top T Type chain. Standard Eagle chains will not work with Transmission.
SRAM Transmission comes in 3 groupsets, X0, XX and XX SL. We were sent an XX group to test out. Components in the 3 group levels differ in construction, materials or features which impact weight, price and performance.
SRAM Transmission Prices
At the time of this video, all pieces to the group, minus the AXS Pod controller, are required to run the system. Cassette, chain, derailleur, and crankset with T Type chainrings are necessary. The older Eagle AXS controller can shift the system.
All Prices are in US Dollars
Transmission Derailleur only, battery not included
Transmission X0, $550
Transmission XX, $650
Transmission XX SL, $650
Transmission Cassette Prices
X0 XG-1295 T Type - $400
XX XS-1297 T Type - $550
XX SL XS-1299 T Type - $600
Transmission Controller
AXS Pod - $150
AXS Pod Ultimate - $200
SRAM T Type Chain Prices
X0 - $100
XX - $125
XX SL - $150
Transmission Dub Crankset Prices with chainrings
X0 which are Q174, alloy, include dual guards and 32t chainring - $300
XX - carbon, Q174 with dual guards and 32t chainring - $500
XX SL - carbon, Q168 without guards and 34t chainring - $550
Chainring or spindle powermeter options are available.
SRAM Transmission Groupset Prices
Transmission groupsets are as follows, with derailleur battery and charger
X0 $1,599
XX like the one we have for testing starts at $2,049
And the XX SL group starts at $2,199
Why Not Backwards Compatible?
Eagle Transmission runs on a T Type chain interface which gas a flat top, similar to their road group. The T Type chain is required for the drivetrain, as previous Eagle chains will not work with Transmission. T Type chains can be used with previous Eagle components, however.
At the time of this video, the new crank and chainring interface uses 8 bolts, compared to the 3 on previous Eagle. That means until SRAM or aftermarket brands make compatible chainrings, you have run SRAM cranks with Transmission.
The AXS Pod controller will work with Eagle AXS derailleurs or dropper posts. Eagle AXS controllers will work with Transmission, too.
SRAM wanted Transmission setup to be easy, with low maintenance, unparalleled durability and strong shifting under load. The derailleur mounts around a bike’s rear axle which ensures perfect alignment between derailleur and cassette. It has an alleged 600-pound breakaway force. Like previous AXS, there is a breakaway clutch so the derailleur can move out of the way on impact.
There are no limit screws and setting B tension is simply a matter of lining up markers on the derailleur. SRAM AXS app has a massive database of bikes to easily find chain length based on chain growth profiles, and riders are shown which Setup Key on the derailleur to use while tuning.
The derailleur can be completely disassembled, so bent or broken parts can be replaced. Removing the derailleur cage does not require tools allowing for easy access to jockey wheels and the clutch spring.
The Magic Wheel lower jockey wheel is a two-piece design. The teeth will continue rotating under power even if the wheel is jammed.
The biggest news on the cassette is the smoother jump to or from the 52t cog. 44 and 38 tooth gears improve the progression. XX SL cassettes use aluminum for the 52, 44 and 38t rings, XX uses aluminum for the 52t and XO is nickel-plated steel.
The AXS Pod and Discrete Infinity clamps are symmetrical and simple. One T25 bolt mounts the Pod to the bars and indicator lines help keep cockpit settings consistent. The pod and clamp can be used on the left or right side of the bars, customizing button controls is done via the AXS app, and the Pod will communicate with Reverb AXS dropper posts.
SRAM says the XX Flat Top T Type chains are the strongest chains they’ve ever made. The XX SL features drilled-out links and hollow pins, XX has a Hard Chrome finish and hollow pins while X0 uses solid pins and a dark finish with PVD coating for corrosion resistance.
We hope the video was helpful, if you have questions, let us know in the comments and we’ll try to answer them. In the meantime, we’ll see you on the trails! - Спорт
i watched a bunch of ads on other channels then watched this. and as usual vital is the only no-bs version. i dont know why i even watch anything else at this point. also, thanks!
thanks! we tried to keep it down to facts and riding impressions.
Is it a concerted effort to stand directly on the rear triangle, attachment point, to give the illusion of putting weight on the derailleur, everyone’s video is the same, this similarity between everyone’s video feels like sram said “hey everyone stand on the triangle to show how strong the derailleur is, don’t actually stand in the derailleur. I stress, the viewpoint is it seems every video is doing it, not just one video hence the immediate skepticism
All the so-cal riding footage convinced me to spend my money traveling and keep my old xo1 cable shifting. Been a long winter, and only recently got some Lefthand laps in.
Nope! Cost more than a rebuilt transmission for a F-150
LMAO, I thought I was the only one.
Looks awesome but could never justify the $
@@THRENO82 This ain't for broke ass cyclists
@@disco.lemonade I think it’s either for people with more money than sense, or people who want to become broke ass cyclists.
@@googolplex2789 New, great things are always expensive at first. Don't you remember the price of the first 1 x 12? That's how it works, people with lots of money pay for these new technologies, and later down the road then companies can make them cheaper, once investment has been paid. Nothing wrong with that.
This is faaar out of my price range, just clicked to see if it's another add or an actual review. Vital did not disappoint, as usual.
It's like they heard what everyone wanted in a wireless group and did the exact fucking opposite 😭 ridiculously expensive, zero backwards compatibility, and just make it direct mount for the lols. Eurgh
Proprietary crap that is obsolete in 2 years while still making easy monthly payments.
The words "Sram" and "indestructible" shouldn't be left near each other.
I could destroy that Sram drive-train in one session no problem.
@Fred Sanford Yea of course you could.
@@Dude-Smellmyhelmet even if you couldn't the only other thing that would give way in the event something goes wrong is the rear triangle
@@MrSupermugen At least it's a stick that breaks the Shimano. A sram mech will fall apart all on its own. Everything sram make is dirt except the Rock Shox and Time stuff. Done even start me on the DUB bb's.
@@MrSupermugen Amazing how experiences differ.
Considering I have gone 3 years without bashing a derailleur, and that I can buy 4 or 5 GX derailleurs for the price of one T derailleur...I will continue to run mechanical GX.
How can you justify a chain costing 150 dollars?
Don't worry, dentists always want the most trick new bling no matter the cost.
You cant
It is less efficient than Shinano's chains, that must count for something right?
What if it lasted you 18 months of riding? or more...
Absolutely ridiculous the prices of these components! Literally buy a very very good frame and shock if not full bike for this price!
Of course, so is a flagship phone, for example. You comment makes no sense, when there're dozens of other options for basically all budgets.
"lets make the new sram universal deraliur hanger" SRAM 2 years later: LOL LETS BOLT THE MECH DIRECTLY TO THE FRAME.
They had to drive the industry to that spec so they could release this kind of deraillur... A wolf in sheeps clothing lol
Typical Sram. That's why if given a choice I never buy their products
Its actually mounted to the axle…..try again bud.
2 years from now SKAM will reduce price on Transmission by 50% just to introduce gearbox/internal hub drivetrains a few months later. 😂
@@Norcaljedi_ea lol, its mounted on the frame and secured by the axle. Dont be a dick if you dont know what you're talking about... bud
Cool stuff! Thanks for showing it.
Kinda has an XTR styling to it all. The new shifter pod looks more comfortable.
I asked questions about this new tranny on other channels and then you guys answered my questions. Thanks for giving the details in the video so no need to ask!
Lower price and weight option:
85€ 280g M8100 derailleur.
25€ 130g M6100 shifter.
35€ 260g M8100 chain.
260€ 335g Garbaruk xD 10-50T cassette.
20€ 80g M8100 bottom bracket.
70€ 500g M7100 cranks.
55€ 65g Alugear 34T chainring.
=========================
550€ 1650g Total.
Singlespeed? 🤘
Those prices are absolutely fucking ridiculous
They are clearly targeting dentists with this stuff🤣
Price conscious riders should not waste their money on anything SRAM, SLX is cheaper and works better. Let the rich one's waste their money on SRAM.
Great!! Now I’ll probably be able to afford and old cable actuated xo1 Or xx group set!!!
I want this, but with option to swap out the smallest 4 cogs that always wear out first just like Shimano cassettes. That would make your cassette last 3 times longer on ebike applications. I don't want to swap out the entire (expensive) cassette every time the smallest cogs wear out, but I also do not want an 800g boat anchor of a cassette like Shimano Linkglide. The best combination would be if I can use this shifter/derailleur combo with a Shimano chain and cassette. I'm worried about the derailleur being mounted directly of the frame though, although with these prices it can be hard to tell if it's better that the frame dies or the derailleur.
Run a 38T ring
@@Montblanc1986 The emtb frames I have tried until now have never supported 38t (Orbea Rise, Trek Fuel EXe, Vitus e-sommet)
the shifting speed is a concern. from 11:15 to 11:50 on the video. Great review and info.
Thank Vital for the best review till now, and thank you for replying on my comment. I deleted exactly when you replied ( because i saw in the video the think with the chainrings)
Looks super really good.
Heavier, slower and more expensive what’s the point ?
Its worse and more expensive so You should buy it. Same as iphone.
Very good review.
I'll keep rocking my SRAmanio drivetrain.
I had a couple questions:
- Does the derailleur come off or need to be reset/tweaked back into position every time the rear wheel is removed? (My guess is no, considering the R&D that went into this😂 but, knowing Sram, it’s possible lol.)
- Did Sram finally get some single gear microshifting adjustment into the app for this group set? That would make it appealing right away. (I’m sure shifting is now supposed to be perfect, but there always seems to be a gear on the cassette that is more finicky than the rest)
GREAT questions for SKAM!
I am still not convinced considering the price point for an electronic shifter that is so slow - oh and it’s not backwards compatible which means replacing ENTIRE drivetrain - cranks, shifter and all. Also didn’t the derailleur hanger help protect frame from damage? Transmission is marketed for dentists, pro-riders, upgrade fanatics and industry peeps. I am but a humble shredder with an even humbler wallet.
Hey @Aram S - The derailleur stays locked in position when you remove the wheel. You don't need to reset it every time. The trim adjustment (moving the derailleur .2mm inboard or outboard through the app or on the shifter) affects the entire range. Since the entire system is locked in place around the axle, individual gear adjustments aren't necessary since there's less inconsistency in the system compared to older drivetrain designs.
@Stoked! MTB I've ridden both systems and found that the ability to shift at any time under any load makes up for slower shifting. You just don't need to dump gears like before. The derailleur hanger protected the frame in that it was a weak link that was expendable. Transmission protects the frame by actually adding armour to the rear and of the bike. (Remember it covers the dropout, but is attached to the axle.) And from the humble wallet side of things, building a bike with an XO Transmission will actually save you about $100 over buying the current generation XO ($1700 MSRP for current XO, $1599 for Transmission XO). 🤑
A gear hanger was introduced to protect the bike frame from damage, what happens here in the event of impact or chain jammimg.
I've done the testing (see channel for video). The old AXS/XTR components are NOT compatible with the new Transmission system. I was actually hoping for better news but it is what it is. If you want to ride a direct mount derailleur, you'll have to buy the cassette, chain and chainring too.
I like the derailleur concept with the direct mount but can they make one for mechanical version? For much cheaper and hopefully lighter? I’ve never been a fan of AXS and quickly converted back to mechanical on all my bikes.
Sorry if I missed it but will this stull work as a mullet set up with force or rival road brifters?
Replacing worn out pieces of this drivetrain ain’t gonna be cheap. Battery isn’t included? How magic will the magic wheel be after mud and muck?why did the shifting speed get so much slower?
Correct me if i’m wrong but I thought the idea of a derail lure hanger was that it was the sacrificial weak point in case of a crash, meaning, a cheap fix. Now, is the weak point….the dropout on the frame? 😕 All just for the marginal gains of electric shifting?
If you engineer out the weak point, you don't need a weak point.
@@bubbastard you got a point. I suppose if you smack your derail-lure at a force of greater then 250lbs, you probably have bigger issues to deal with like perhaps retrieving said bike from the bottom of a cliff.
@@bubbastard You cant "engineer out the weak point". There is always a weakest point and that is now your frame or derailieur.
Its cleverly enough using the actual axle, but still makes the weak point the chainstay. Notice they stepped on it with an aluminum chainstay lmao.
@@bubbastard NO you just move the weak point to a different point. There will always be a weak/failure point. Looking at this, it might turn out to be the rear triangle
Cool stuff. Hey mom can I borrow $1700?
That’s so much.
No 😮 Go to your room an don't came out till tomorrow! HO
is there a list of frames that it'll fit to? I agree that only offering a 10-52 cassette is the limiting factor. For gravel-type situations something like a 10-44 would be a bit better.
sram website here for frames - bikefinder.sram.com/universal-derailleur-hanger-bikes
Could I in theory get everything but new cranks and chainring? If the new flattop chain works with old sram eagle then that should work right?
Will it blend?
Wonder if X01 cranks works on ep8 motor? Can i use only der and cassette keeping my old X01 front sproket?
Does it still slap like a 90’s 3X though?
So...old AXS is faster or ?
I'm kind of surprised more people are pointing this out but this design is highly reliant on the inside and outside faces of the drive-side chain stay being parallel to the wheel and perfectly perpendicular to the axle. If it's not faced properly... basically perfectly... shift performance will be compromised with no good way to fix it.
Those shift times are bonkers though, if I had to wait two to 3 seconds before a gnarly downhill section into a steep punchy climb, it seems like you'd possibly lose quite a bit of momentum. Other than that, this system looks really nice.. Prices are a bit crazy though.
I'm running the XO version on a MT2 like in the video but I'm getting A LOT of chainslap on the downhill, especially over lots of roots and braking bumps. It is installed correctly and chain length is cut accordingly to bike model and size. Any suggestions?
Someone correct me if I get this wrong: they say it’s not backwards compatible because of the chain but then sappy the chain is compatible with previous sram parts….. so if I got a new t-type chain and derailleur, it would work? Sounds like they don’t want to admit it’s compatible with older parts and newer chain. This derailleur and chain is about the same as the axs stuff before the discounts no? What am I missing?
Where can I get that Hex tool.... is what I wanna know.
I get the idea of moving away from the derailleur hanger, but what if you crash hard, hook your derailleur and break your rear triangle before the derailleur? Or is this not possible with current (especially carbon) frames?
You would have to break your rear axel first before it did any damage to your frame and it’s designed to break before your axel would.
@@TheNotoriousMIC so the cage screws into your axle? That’s why when you set it up you shouldn’t tighten the axle completely?
@@spliiii The B-bolt goes through the drive side dropout, then the axle threads into the inside of the B-bolt so load is taken by the entire axle, hub and rear triangle as a whole, not just the drive side drop out as it may seem on the outside. The system is not tightened all the way so that you can rotate the derailleur until the chain is tensioned, which essentially sets the B-gap and final derailleur position.
Enjoy your 600usd cassette! Hope the teeth wont break off like they used to on the gold xx1 ones
10:12 PVD just means physical vapor deposition. It says nothing about the coating itself.
Must be missing something because I never had an issue with AXS to begin with.
I have UDH frame, with original eagle crankset. When 3rd party manufacturers make a T compatible chain ring will I be able to use it with new T derailleur and cassette or will the chain line be different ? Thanks !
Transmission is built around CL55 chain line. You'll need a Dub Wide crank and 3mm offset chain ring to achieve this, then use the SRAM BB compatibility map to figure out what BB and spacing is required for your bikes BB type.
Why a derailleur withstanding stapping on it is a good advert, while any derailleurs cheaper withstand the same?
Will this work on my & 2021 Santa Cruz Nomad V5 ?..
XXcess... I have a $50 derailleur and a $20 hanger, both of which can be found anywhere, and they work together just fine. No need for special cassette or chain.
I have a clarification question on compatibility. So, here is the deal, I have Sram XX1 group-set, but I want to try out new rear derailleur, is it true that I have to purchase Sram XX chain also and my cranks would be compatible with it and the derailleur?
t type chain will work with your xx1, but you "can't" use the new derailleur with the old cassette. on our site we have a photo of that setup (transmission derailleur with previous eagle cassette). it technically fits, but the XD cassette body on the previous eagle cassette sticks out by like .5mm and throws all the alignment off, making shifting problematic. additionally, transmission is built around a CL55 chainline, so you'd have to have the proper 3mm dub wide chainring, if you don't already. we only tried previous eagle cassette w/ new derailleur in the bike stand, not under load too, but it seems like it's basically an all-or-nothing situation right now.
🔥
Bah, why no 34T chainring for the E-bike specifik crank. Thats a bummer :(
I wonder how much the body costs? As someone's going to have painful experience when they snap one of these off, instead of a cheap derailleur hanger 😅
body? I'd think it uses an XD body.
@Team Cykelhold MTB by body I mean the main chassis of the derailleur which also combines the hanger into one piece
@@Simon-gk9ug it goes directly into the frame where the UHD normally sits. My guess is that it is horribly expensive, but I guess SRAM marketing team is trying to tell you: "Don't worry bro, trust us. Nothing bad will happen".
@Team Cykelhold MTB lol it'll just snap the chainstay instead 🤣
great review that's nailed the facts and left the Karen's holding placards
Once a year I buy a new SRAM GX derailleur because its beat up and worn out.
I dont see myself forking over that money for a part that just doesnt seem to last long enough. 🤷🏻♂️
How much for the replacement parts?
I like: the simplicity of the set up, no cables, the looks, the strength. What I don't like: the PRICE, the UDH only option, $100+ chains, slower shifting, over-hyped launch.
Ummm I’ll stick to Shimano. Cool to have different options.
It's amazing the range of components you can get now, especially with the shimano CUES stuff coming out for cheap options
I'll keep buying aliexpress drive train. Shifts good and high value for the price. I'm more intrigued now with the gearbox drive train. I think shimano is waiting for the Hondas patent on mid drive gearbox to expire. I'll be waiting for that instead.
Exactly! Me thinks that gearbox is the next evolution of drivetrain! While SKAM continues to make overpriced mediocre components, Shimano and other mech drivetrains are affordable and much more reliable. SKAM also just suckered a bunch of people to buy their AXS drivetrains a couple months ago by dropping the price by like 40-50%…anticipating the release of the Transmission and NOT making it backwards compatible! What a SKAM! 😂😂😂
Good,make the XTR more obtainable 👍.. yup,break your $1000 rear frame drop out rather than a 5.00 hanger🤦♂️🤦♂️
Bad news for your carbon frame ;-) frame is f&*ked but your derailleur still works 👌
Can't stand anything Sram especially their breaks. Will keep my reliable cable operated derailleur, excellent Shimano mineral oil based brakes and everything else Shimano makes.
Well you didn't subtract the weight of the chain packaging sillies.
we weighed the container after - it's 42g, so there's still a difference of 33g between our weight and SRAM's. def surprised the container was 42g tho LOL
What are the crank length options? Hope 165
165,170,175
the RD wont break, but your Rear Axle of the carbon frame will brake because the hit impact
So is the clutch finally replaceable ?
It is, you can by a new cage assembly which has the clutch assembly built onto the inner plate.
Shifting that slow is a deal breaker. I will wait for Shimano's next groupsets.
Watched a couple clips on this, but still slightly confused (and that's ok, because I am NOT in the target market for this kind of stuff). Is the big deal about this, that it's basically the AXS system, without the derailleur hanger?? I feel like I'm missing something...
On a more practical matter, this is just what the cycling world needs - a new/different standard. I understand staying competitive, I understand marketing (and engineering) fresh and new ideas, but enough has just got to be enough.
Pros need a new system to be able to shift under load. This system worked out that problem. For electric bikes, you need to stop pedaling to change gears due to the torque of the motor. Lastly everyone has different budgets. if you have a 15,000 bike this is not unreasonable. If you have 1000 bike this is wayyy too much
in terms of pricing I think I'll wait for GX
Waoww🤩🤑🤑
Slower shifting is the deal breaker
Yes it is! Way too slow when you ride in areas that require shifting several gears in a short amount of time.
''easy to service'', proceeds to put 8 bolts unto the chainring
Sweet Jesus that’s expensive. I don’t live in USA, does tax then go on top?
If I was a Banker I could buy this.
Hot damn
I stopped right when I saw the price. =)
damn that shifting looks slow in comparison :O
Just one of those items (not the shifter) costs more than my bike.
So… even if I did want this, which I don’t because AXS GX is fine, I can’t have it because my old antiquated outdated 2021 Specialized Enduro isn’t UDH compatible.
Iam so happy i bought a zerode with pinion and dont have to deal with all this shit anymore! keep spending your money on this pricey stuff folks ;)
Leaving the deal-breaking attribute till the last part of the video? Hmm... The shift speed is not even remotely acceptable (no pun intended). Looks to me like a product that's dead on arrival.
we didn't think it was deal-breaker, but def takes time to get used to and may not be for everyone. we hope there will be an option to program it back to speed of regular axs, but considering the shift-under-load attribute is what sram seems most concerned with, we're not holding our breath.
@@vitalmtb still does not make sense at all, it weighs more and shifts slower than the old xx1 and you have a higher chance of snapping your chain without a derailleur hanger! how does that make sense
Hiw can shimano ever keep up with this tech. Absolutely nuts!
simply by making it affordable 🤷♂ real motorsports is getting cheaper than riding bikes lol
Shimano has a cult following that's why👍👍
they don't have to that's the beauty of it, still the xtr or even the older xx1 shifts faster and is lighter than this joke
Noooo SRAM adopted iconic “MegaRange” technology just to ditch it on the very next release? 😢😢😢
Give it to whistlin diesel
Best comment on this entire thread.
Sram xx the " x " mean THE more x's more XPENSIVE
Crazy expensive. Mtb (money to burn) exactly
hahaha money to burn
Please, no more stepping on the XXSL derailleur, we got it!
I don't know who this is made for, but not for me.
Great breakdown and video!
While SKAM continues to make overpriced mediocre components, Shimano and other mech drivetrains are affordable, reliable and better value. SKAM also just suckered a bunch of people to buy their AXS drivetrains a couple months ago by dropping the price by like 40-50%…anticipating the release of the Transmission and NOT making it backwards compatible! What a SKAM! 😂😂😂
@@MrSupermugen and the brakes do suck which is why I use Magura.
@@MrSupermugen Shimano brakes suck. SRAM Code RSC brakes are fawking awesome. Magura just as good but better modulation IMO.
Flattop chain is +5 watts, pass.
Sorry but calling a rear derailleur indestructible is false advertising.
Those flat top chain are hot garbage.
Every "review" I have seen up to now consists of standing on the axle .... step lower on to the actual derailleur !!!!! Like many others have mentioned , where are the forces
going when you do have that Bang... Magically absorbed ... nope , they are going somewhere !!!
Now to wait for the sram diehards to sell off their old XX1 gear at NX prices - thanks SRAM!
The Transmission that kills your Bikeframe. Rofl.
Are any of these new products backward compatible with existing Eagle components?
this is covered in the video more than once
The chain and remotes
so you're paying more for a heavier, slower tech? what a joke.
“Indestructible” until you forget to charge it.
So the big twelve gear is at least steel now, all i want for my ebike is the longest lasting drive gear ever, weight , Dont care
try to step on the arm it self please!