SRAM Eagle Transmission Review
From BikePacking.com
By Logan Watts
SRAM just dropped another innovation bomb on the mountain bike world with the new SRAM Eagle Transmission, a wireless drivetrain based on a hangerless direct-to-axle frame mount. We got a hold of the new X0 group for this first-ride review. Find that plus weights, prices, and details on the groups here…
My, how quickly things change. It was only 11 years ago when SRAM was the first to ditch the front derailleur with the introduction of XX1, the first mainstream 1×11 mountain bike drivetrain. Then, in mid-2016, SRAM launched Eagle, the first 1×12 MTB group, which was a full-on attempt to make the front derailleur a thing of the past. And with a 10-50T cassette that matched the range of most 2x drivetrains, the industry took the bait.
SRAM went for cables next with the release of AXS in 2019, the first wireless mountain bike drivetrain. Today, SRAM is putting a hit out on the derailleur hanger with the advent of the SRAM Eagle Transmission, a new drivetrain that connects directly to the frame via a hanger-free axle connection. Is it progress for progress’s sake or worthy innovation that improves performance? We had the chance to try out the new Eagle Transmission—or E.T. as we’ve been calling it—to find out in this first ride report.
Image courtesy of SRAM
