SRAM's New NX Eagle 1x12 Drivetrain is the Most Affordable Yet 17

With a price of just $375 for an entire drivetrain, SRAM has done a great job of bringing many of their 1x12-speed technologies to their most affordable "NX" level. They've done this in part by making some material changes and using less costly manufacturing methods.

We love that the individual components can mix and match with any of the higher-priced XX1, X01 and GX Eagle drivetrains. Keep in mind that the cassette range is slightly reduced from the 500% to 455% (10-50 tooth vs 11-50 tooth on NX) and requires a standard freehub body, not the SRAM XD driver most often seen with SRAM drivetrains. It does keep that hill-crushing 50-tooth cog, however, which is important for many riders.

Dig into the specs and SRAM's claims, below. We've also provided key comparisons to the $495-545 GX Eagle drivetrain, which is the next step above NX.

NX Eagle Rear Derailleur

This new NX Eagle derailleur features the proven SRAM 1X-specific X-HORIZON design. The larger, 14-tooth X-SYNC lower pulley easily facilitates 11-50 and 10-50 tooth cassette capacity, and also adds to NX Eagle’s overall smooth-pedaling feel. The Type-3 ROLLER BEARING CLUTCH provides quiet, consistent performance and durability.

Rear Derailleur Highlights & Specs

• Completely new rear derailleur incorporating our proven X-HORIZON design and Type-3 ROLLER BEARING CLUTCH technology. 
• Eagle ecosystem-engineered mounting system and CAGE LOCK positioning add robustness. 
• Eagle pulley technology provides greater efficiency, crisper shifting and quieter operation.
• Material: Aluminum, steel, stainless steel hardware
• Colors: Black
• Technologies: X-HORIZON, X-ACTUATION, X-SYNC2, ROLLER BEARING CLUTCH, CAGE LOCK
• Weight: 339g
• MSRP: $107 USD / €119

Compared to GX Eagle rear derailleur: 48g heavier, $3 less expensive

PG-1230 Eagle Cassette

Ride anywhere with the wide-range PG-1230, 11- to 50-tooth Eagle cassette. The NX cassette gives riders every bit of the climbing range that the Eagle ecosystem affords with a simple upgrade to splined-drive body wheels. The PG-1230 is the only Eagle cassette designed to be durable enough to withstand the increased demands of E-MTB applications and a perfect solution to heavy-duty use and abuse. 

Cassette Highlights & Specs

• Compatible with 8-, 9- and 10-speed splined driver bodies. 
• This PG-1230 cassette is an integral part of the SRAM Eagle drivetrain Ecosystem. 
• Wide 11-50t gear range—a perfect fit for any ride with optimized gear steps across entire range.
• Technologies: Power Glide
• Material: 8 lightweight, stamped steel cogs and 4 high-strength steel cogs pinned onto an aluminum spider
• Speeds: 12
• Colors: Black
• Weight: 615g
• MSRP: $100 USD / €110

Compared to GX Eagle XG-1275 cassette: 170g heavier, $95 less expensive, 45% less range

NX Eagle Trigger Shifter

New NX Eagle trigger shifter means on-demand gear selection throughout the entire wide range Eagle cassette. The massive range means you never have to worry about having the right gear for the terrain. NX Eagle means easy, intuitive shifting every time for every rider. 

Shifter Highlights & Specs

• Eagle Technology creates a smoother and more precise shifting system with exceptional reliability. 
• Also available as a E-MTB specific Eagle shifter option limiting the pull lever to a single engagement. 
• Compatible with Matchmaker X clamp.
• Speeds: 12
• Technologies: X-ACTUATION, ZERO LOSS, MatchMaker X Integrated
• Material: Aluminum/Plastic, Stainless steel hardware
• Colors: Black
• Hardware: Stainless steel bolts, MatchMaker X
• Weight: 112g
• MSRP: $42 USD / €38

Compared to GX Eagle trigger shifter: 10g lighter, $2 less expensive

NX Eagle Crankset

The SRAM NX crankset delivers Eagle styling and performance to the newest addition to the Eagle ecosystem. Designed for SRAM’s X-SYNC2 chainrings, the NX crankset is engineered for complete chain control—each tooth’s profile is precisely engineered to work quietly, efficiently and securely with the Eagle chain’s inner and outer links. DUB technology features a better-engineered bottom bracket and a new spindle design, which together allows for a more uniform approach to bottom bracket fitment, better sealing against contamination and forward and backward compatibility. Now everyone can benefit from a new measure of performance and durability. 

Crankset Highlights & Specs

• 6000 series forged aluminum arms. 
• DUB technology features a uniform approach to bottom bracket fitment, better sealing against contamination and is forward and backward compatible.
• Arm Material: 6000 series forged aluminum
• Arm Lengths: 165mm, 170mm, 175mm
• Chainring: Steel, direct mount
• Compatibility: All major bottom bracket standards
• Technologies: X-SYNC2, DUB
• Weight: 705g (175mm, 32-tooth ring)
• MSRP: $105-121 USD / €116-135

Compared to 175mm, 32-tooth GX Eagle DUB crankset: 84g heavier, $30-64 less expensive

NX Eagle Chain

The basis of every Eagle drivetrain is its chain—and the NX Eagle chain is designed and manufactured using genuine SRAM’s Eagle architecture, so it is fully compatible with every other component in the Eagle ecosystem. The NX Eagle chain features solid pin construction, Eagle PowerLock and smooth, efficient shifting that you can count on every time out. 

Chain Highlights & Specs

• Eagle PowerLock chain connector with FLOW LINK technology provides better chain-guiding and increased longevity. 
• Unique features and design also provide significantly improved wear resistance on Eagle cassettes and rings.
• Technologies: FLOW LINK, POWERLOCK, X-SYNC2
• Closing Link: Eagle PowerLock
• Material: Steel
• Speeds: 12
• Colors: Grey
• Weight: 278g (126 links)
• MSRP: $26 USD / €29

Compared to GX Eagle chain: 15g heavier, $4 less expensive

In Action

Visit www.sram.com for more details.

Photos by Adrian Marcoux