Sram GX Eagle AXS in the first test: Circuit revolution for the masses?

Test / MTB: With the Sram GX Eagle AXS, there is now a wireless 12-speed groupset that makes the technology, which has been tried and tested for two years, affordable for "normal people". Priced well below the noble groups X01 and XX1, you hardly have to make any compromises. We have already tried the new circuit.

First things first: Technically, the Sram GX Eagle AXS is the same as the other two wireless shifters. The same encrypted transmission method is used between the controller and rear derailleur, and all features such as the setting options via app or the innovative overload clutch are also on board. All this for just over half (!) the price of the other two AXS groupsets. Sounds too good to be true? We thought so too - but after the first tests we are certain: This circuit will make waves.

The new components are already available in stores and will initially only be available as an "upgrade kit" consisting of a rear derailleur, controller (shifter), charger, cable and adjustment aid. The remaining gear components (chain, cassette, crank, chain ring) can be used from the entire Eagle portfolio.

Sram AXS: The gears of the future?

Without exception, the Sram AXS circuits are 12-speed drives, which basically consist of two components, the rear derailleur and the controller. The latter replaces the well-known shift lever and is - apart from the missing trains - the biggest difference to traditional drives. The system can currently be expanded with a Reverb AXS dropper post from RockShox, which can also be operated wirelessly. Communication takes place via an encrypted channel. And don't worry: each controller is paired with each rear derailleur individually, so you don't have to worry about a passenger accidentally controlling a different rear derailleur. By the way: The AXS components can also be easily combined with the Etap components from racing bikes or gravel bikes. 520% bandwidth on the Graveller? Without cable? No problem anymore!

Easy assembly and adjustment

Assembly is incredibly simple: no cables, no outer casings – screw on the rear derailleur and controller, cut the chain to length, done. The adjustment itself is also easier to do than with a mechanical shifter. All the steps for a first basic setup (roughly finding the right tension for the train, roughly setting the stop) are no longer necessary. After attachment, only fine tuning is necessary. The distance between the rear derailleur and the cassette can be adjusted quickly and easily using the supplied assembly aid using the so-called B-Screw. In our case, we didn't have to touch the screws for the stops at all and fine-tuning the rear derailleur using the trim function is child's play. A small button on the shifter allows the rear derailleur to be shifted in tiny steps. In 9 out of 10 cases it is sufficient to complete this process for one course.

In our case, everything was set up perfectly in less than five minutes. For the entire assembly (we installed a complete group including crank and bottom bracket) we needed less than 40 minutes.

Protection for the rear derailleur: overload clutch

One of the most exciting and important features of all AXS rear derailleurs is the so-called Overload Clutch: Behind the name stands a unique protective function that protects the rear derailleur and the derailleur hanger from damage. As soon as an impact is registered on the rear derailleur, it moves inwards and returns to its original position a short time later. This primarily protects the engine inside, but of course also all other components. A great feature, especially for a rear derailleur that costs well over 300 euros.

Controller instead of shifter - more than just another name

As exciting and innovative as the wireless connection to the rear derailleur may be, in practice - i.e. on the trail - it is not the biggest and decisive innovation of the AXS groupsets. This is hidden on the handlebars, where the controller replaces the traditional lever. Sram has taken a big risk by completely deviating from what we have been used to for many years: the two levers have completely disappeared and are replaced by a seesaw. In this respect, it is quite appropriate to speak of a controller here, because it actually has nothing to do with a shift "lever".

This radically new approach requires a little getting used to from those switching - but then it is a revelation for many drivers. Ergonomically much more comfortable, without long shifting distances; actually the controller can do everything better than a conventional shifter.

Compatible with 11-50, 10-50 and 10-52 cassettes

The rear derailleur is compatible with all currently available Sram Eagle cassettes. So if you want to save weight, you can easily mount an XG 1299 from the XX1 series. Saving foxes are more likely to opt for the inexpensive NX Eagle 11-50 version instead. Of course, all other combinations are also possible without any problems, with a bandwidth of up to 520%.

AXS smartphone app: diagnosis, evaluation and customization

The free AXS app connects to the circuit via Bluetooth and offers the user some very useful features. Frequent drivers can, for example, evaluate which gears they use the most in order to monitor wear or improve their pedaling efficiency. In addition, of course, the app provides information about the charge status of the battery and also allows the buttons to be reassigned. In addition, the controller can be switched to "One-Click-Lever" mode: even if you hold down the rocker, the rear derailleur changes a maximum of one gear. Handy for E-MTBs.

Technically identical – and otherwise?

But wait a minute: If we get exactly what we know from the other two wireless groupsets with the Sram GX Eagle AXS, what are the differences - after all, the GX is significantly cheaper. As with the mechanical groups, these are mainly found in the choice of material and weight. For example, the cage of the rear derailleur is made of steel (X01 Eagle AXS: aluminum, XX1 Eagle AXS: carbon), which is reflected in an additional weight of approx. 70 g. The downside of this: According to Sram, the steel cage is even more robust than the aluminum cage of the X01 Eagle. The GX Eagle AXS brings nothing less than the most stable rear derailleur in the entire portfolio.

The differences in the controller are even smaller. The rocker is the same as that known from the other AXS groups up to this model year. Since the beginning of the season, however, the X01 and XX1 have been delivered with a new variant that has a corrugated surface and a slightly different shape for more grip. You have to do without this with the GX Eagle AXS controller, but you can also retrofit it if you wish. In addition, the fastening clamp is painted here and not anodized as with the other variants. However, the weight remains the same at around 70 g.

Comparison of weights and prices: where does the Sram GX Eagle AXS stand?

Now for the hard facts: where does the GX Eagle AXS fit in compared to the other Eagle groupsets? In terms of price, its RRP is significantly higher than that of the premium group XX1 Eagle, but we expect that it will settle down to a similar level of around 500 euros on the open market quite early on - but that's still reading tea leaves at the moment. Nevertheless: 60-70 g more weight is all you have to put up with compared to the noble counterparts of the X01 and XX1 Eagle AXS - and that for a little more than half the price!

If you compare the weights, it gets quite interesting. Here, the wireless GX Eagle is roughly on par with its mechanical sister group. At this point, however, it should be said that the weight of the mechanical groups can vary to a greater or lesser extent depending on the outer shell and its length. However, the differences in weight are very small anyway, if you only look at the rear derailleur and shifter. Between the heaviest Eagle group and the lightest are less than 100 g; The situation is different with the cassettes, for example - here there are over 1 g between the NX Eagle and XX250 Eagle, for example.

* including charger and battery
** Cable and outer shell are included with 70 g

But: Sram is not the only manufacturer with 12-speed groupsets on the market. The competition from Japan has been able to catch up a bit in the past two years and also has interesting circuit components on the market. In contrast to the Americans, however, the electronic groupsets from Shimano still use eleven gears and are not really in direct competition with the GX Eagle AXS. But a look at the mechanical groups is definitely worthwhile.

On the trail with the Sram GX Eagle AXS

In practice, the new Sram GX Eagle AXS is exactly what you would expect from the technical data: The differences to the two much more expensive wireless counterparts are not noticeable in practice. The shifting processes are crisp and quick, and shifting through is also quick - although you are a little faster with the mechanical groupsets. Perhaps the greatest advantage over classic shifters with a cable is not the shifting performance, but the ergonomics: once you get used to the shift controller, you don't want to be without it anymore. The thumb finds comfortable space in the beautifully shaped rocker and a small push up or down is enough to trigger the switching process. On the other hand, the resistance is high enough to virtually rule out accidental shifting maneuvers.

We can't yet give any reliable information on the subject of durability - in relation to the GX Eagle AXS. However, if you believe the information from Sram that the rear derailleur is even more robust than the X01 and XX1 Eagle AXS, we have no concerns here. We had now installed the latter on a large number of test bikes and are completely convinced of their robustness and reliability. Even during the test use of the new GX group, we had no failures or the like to complain about.

The only real inherent downside to wireless shifting is battery dependency. Although Sram's solution is very good - both battery life and low-charge warning signals - the basic problem remains: If the battery is empty, the rear derailleur stoically stays in the selected gear. It only remains to keep an eye on the corresponding LED on departure and arrival and to charge the battery regularly. In addition, you can store the very light and compact charger together with a small power bank in your backpack and thus charge the battery on the go if the worst comes to the worst - worth considering especially for friends of multi-day adventures.