SRAM X01 1x11-Speed Drivetrain Details, Specs & Prices Confirmed 41

Again, thanks "mrpowerjd". As you can see, I wasn't fully up to speed on the latest in bike tech, haven't had a bike for a few years. Old style bash rings make no sense if you can attach (ISCG). Thought I'd mention that Truvativ (with help from MRP) now has one too. It's the Truvativ "X0 Chain Guide". The Truvatic comes in 32-36T (and 36-40T) where the others are available in 28-32T. Now I'm wondering if I would notice the tiny loss in clearance using a 32-36T or if it would actually be even better to have that little extra protection...? I may still get the MRP AMG or Blackspire TrailX, will compare pricing, details... but thought I'd share. It seems mandatory to get protection on a 1x setup!

And, I guess, for the record: I run the 28-32 AMG with the ISCG05 alloy backplate.

I've been running XX1 for a good 14 or 15 months now. I posted below here in the comments last year when this article first came out about my experiences to that point with the drivetrain. Since then, I have continued to have nothing but positive experiences with the system. As for whether or not you need a top guide, it's been my experience as well as that of a number of friends who ride and race similar terrain and events to what I do that if you're on a bike that has a fair bit of chain growth then you probably want to top guide, whereas if you don't have much chain growth and especially if you're not racing then you can get away without a top guide. As for how the AMG or the XCG would compare to what you are calling a bashguard, am I correct in assuming that you are referring to something that would be mounted directly to the either the crankarm or the spider? If so, then my answer as to durability difference between the two that I would infinitely prefer either the XCG or the AMG as they have frame mount options and I would much rather – for me – prefer to route that kind of impact strain into my frame. My bike has removable ISCG05 tabs on it and if I am not mistaken your bike has ISCG05 tabs as well, so that would be my preference between a "bashguard" and either of the MRP products.

@ mrpowerjd. Thanks for the info. How tough are these compared to a bashguard? Are you running XO1 1x11 with an MRP? If so, XCG or AMG? Pros, cons, preferences? Does this drivetrain really need an AMG (top chain guide)? My bike is a Giant Trance Advanced SX.

@Wagon650B MRP XCG or AMG are options.

" I just hope SRAM (Truvativ...) or whoever releases some bashguard options really soon. I could see some of the other companies being reluctant to make bashguards to protect the competition's new (and competing) drivetrain. It should have been done and released at the same time IMO."

Or maybe I'm wrong and they see an opportunity to sell a bunch of bashguards and advertise their brand at the same time? Raceface, Hope, Chromag....anyone stepping up? We need a 94 BCD 32T (maybe 30T, 34T options..too) that fits on X01 Crank. Let's not waste resources by destroying chain rings and drivetrains unnecessarily!

I just hope SRAM (Truvativ...) or whoever releases some bashguard options really soon. I could see some of the other companies being reluctant to make bashguards to protect the competition's new (and competing) drive train. It should have been done and released at the same time IMO.

Cool to see new ideas and innovation, keep it up. I likely wouldn't feel the need to change out a perfectly good drive train, but if I were buying a new bike or my drive train was worn out...awesome. Funny how some comments come across so negative about it. I appreciate the review and look forward to trying mine. It was onef the deciding factors when I chose my new bike. Felt really nice on my 2 minute test ride outside the shop. Love the simplicity of no front derailleur, 1 shifter, more clearance, reduced chain slap/drop... A couple of friends got X01 1x11 last fall and love it, no complaints. Most likely something new and better will come out before I'm ready to change mine, but that's OK. Now I just need to find a 94 BCD Bash Guard. Sure they're coming soon, but so far the only one I have seen is a Carbon Fiber one, and it's over $100. Anyone seen or know of something else in the works? I'd like to install right away before taking a hit, this stuff is a little on the expensive side.

Chain Reaction Cycles just posted some prices on their website. Link: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/SearchResults.aspx?Search=SRAM+X01

AND A 104 BCD CHAINRING OFFERING!!!

at double the price of the race face ones... it might be better, but I don't think it's THAT much better.

seriously, those chainrings are super expensive. rf is like $50, wtc is $75, e13 will probably be around that, and i suspect mrp will have an offering soon that is not too costly.

price are the important part. could be good on the cassette, cause an XX1 retails for $491!

10T x 32T max speed at a cadence of 90 rpm is about 25 mph?! 90rpm is difficult on an mtb over rough terrain. How is this acceptable? I am constantly pedaling rough terrain over 25 mph and certainly to not want to be near 90 rpm to get there.

Everyone's riding style and terrain are different. So while 32x11 has worked great for me over the years, it might not work for your situation. But you have options in a 2x set up.

P

Oh for sure, but at the same time, I have lived and ridden all over the country from the dusty steeps of Orange County, to the sustained ups and downs of the Rockies, to the roots, rocks, and nastiness of the Northeast and couldn't count on two hands the amount of trails (terrain) that would warrant such a low top speed capability. If anything, the capabilities of modern full-sus all mountain machines allows for even more speed through even gnarlier terrain. Even when I ride my hardtail I need more than a 32T and I am no hero.

That's cool. We both have different styles. I've found I can do a quick burst of high cadence on a downhill and gravity does the rest. So 32x11 has been fine for me. I still hit 40+ mph on 3rd Divide in Downieville.

I am going to see if I can get away with 28x11 10s for the XXGhetto. It might limit my top end a bit, but then I need slowing down anyway , too much body carnage over the years - and I'm pumping & flowing the trail now rather than blistering it.

P

You, sir, are hauling ass. I don't know many people pedaling at 25mph through the rough. Fireroads sure, but rough?

Keep in mind that they have larger rings than 32...

I currently live in Maine and there are alot of trails that are downhill and technical, but not very steep so gravity alone isn't enough. I also want even my biggest travel bike to be able to clean steep technical uphills and a 34 or 36 chainring with a 34t large cog doesn't cut it. Basically, I don't like to push my bike, ever. Even when I am on my 34ish pound mini-DH bike I like to clean every technical uphill that I can do on a light hardtail. Maybe I am a rarity but I cringe when I see enduro-style vids with guys pushing 28-pound all-mountain bikes up a tiny hill. I want all my bikes to have the flexibility to go anywhere and the miniscule weight penalty (if any) of a front derailleur and small chainring is a worthy tradeoff versus hiking my bike up hills and spinning out down them because my bike's build has way too narrow of a focus.

Also, no way am I shelling out for yet another hub standard. The same gear spread of this XX1 stuff with a standard 10-speed cassette is easily possible if you insist on not having a front derailleur.

Ultimately, the consumeristic nature of mtbing wears on me because all of these new standards are flying out the door with the only possible justification being that it makes riding more enjoyable and faster. But the reality is that I often see people with "obsolete" bikes and parts absolutely smoke people with spankin' new $5k rigs and it makes me so damn happy. Add to that, the attitude that comes from the industry as a whole at shops and with company reps is very elitist and dismissive unless you are dropping serious coin on a new rig. Multiple times now I have, for example, come across the Northeastern Santa Cruz rep(s) and they have been complete dicks even though I was (at the time) riding a Santa Cruz because they could sniff out that I had zero interest in buying a new $5k bike because my old Bullit still ripped. I could get far more people into mountain biking if the perceived price of admission wasn't so high and that would be great.

"...a 34 or 36 chainring with a 34t large cog doesn't cut it." - The rear cassette goes from 10 to 42 teeth, providing a much larger range than a typical 9 or 10-speed cassette.

Appreciate your viewpoint, and agree with the last sentence big time.

A 34T front sprocket with a 42T rear is still a higher gear than the 24T front and 34T rear that I currently run on my big bike that goes everywhere I could possibly need. I am no XC racer as far as climbing and I suspect most weekend warriors would say the same so a higher gear ratio just makes it more painful and less fun. For some it might even make riding discouraging.

My beef is that the industry is slinging an expensive new standard yet again that has a narrower gear range that makes riding less fun for the 90-99% or riders that aren't fitness super-heroes or hardcore XC freaks. (Freaks in the fitness sense; I have tons of respect for XC rippers.) There will also be issues with the alloy front chainring in muddy climes where it will not last long and cost a fair amount to replace frequently. Even with 3 chainrings to disperse the wear, I will lay waste to a middle ring in 3 months of Northeast slop and for that I am grateful for a steel inner ring that takes the abuse of high leverage and keeps it's profile for a long time, extending the life of the chain.

I am not a slow rider and I race DH, XC and Enduro occationally with respectable results in amateur classes. I have used XT, LX and SLX mostly with some SRAM sprinkled in throughout the years. This new standard is one that I feel is a step backward for riders like me and certainly anyone that spends even less time on the saddle. Cardiovascular fitness does not come easily to myself or alot of real people and getting fit enough to hoof a narrow gear range and still have fun in spring while the "winter coat" wears off is not a prescription for progress for the bulk of mtbers.

bturman: BTW, where in CO are you? I lived in Colo Spgs for 5 years.

Luckily it's just another option for riders. They don't have to spring for it unless they'd like to, and I don't see SRAM discontinuing traditional 2 and 3X systems anytime soon. For those that can mash just a little harder or are willing to give up a small amount of top speed, this system is gold.

Lived all over the Front Range, Junction, and am now on the road full time doing my best to live the dream.

Right?! Where have all the mountain bikers gone?

So aside from the "because it goes to 11" reason, why not just go 1x10 and save your pennies for other things, if you are ok, but not a contender? I mean, I am no contender, so if I have a cheaper option to go without a FD, why would I buy all this new stuff?

There are a few very nice benefits to SRAM's system. Bigger range, chain retention with far less friction, improved shifting, fewer skips, less noise, etc, etc.

What he said. I've been running XX1 on two bikes now for about 600 miles total (not at the same time--bought a new frame and swapped over) and 8 races run, 9 more for sure scheduled, and at least three or four more not yet figured out. All but two races have been enduros over rowdy to rowdy-plus terrain, including 4 at night with helmet and bar lights. I also do a lot of night training because it fits my schedule. The other two races were Super D's over wide-open to slightly rowdy terrain. Races yet to come are enduros over rowdy+ terrain, including the Specialized Enduro at Trestle (EWS stop), and The Whole Enchilada (finals for both BME and NAET). I keep my chain clean and lubed, I keep my chainrings (28 for training and some races, 32 for others--I'm working down from 220 lbs to 180 and I ride an SB95) mostly clean, and I occasionally wipe my derailleur pulleys clean. I live in Salt Lake, so it's dry and dusty most of the time come this time of year, and plenty rocky too. I have had zero dropped chains, zero ghost shifts, zero drivetrain problems. Still on my first chain, too, with no appreciable wear. I throw in some rowdy shuttle runs in my training on top of my normal climb-it-to-bomb-it rides. Zero problems in six months and for the type of riding I like to do, I could not be happier. And it runs sooooo quiet. It's beautiful to hear tires thudding over rocks, wind screaming in your ears, and all the other sounds of riding without any drivetrain interference. In short, I'm sold.

If the price is right, I'll bite. 30:42 will work fine compared to my 26:36 for steep climbs. Looks like I'll be getting rid of my FD within the next 12 months... thanks for the responses.

knock knock shimano designers.. are you guys awake?

shimano currently holds a patent for a 14 speed.... yes they are awake http://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/The-Hub,2/Shimano-14-Speed-Cassette,6574

Yes 14 years ago (1999) ...
Just wish a wider ratio 10 speed cassette that's compatible with current freehubs.. to go with my wolftooth wide-narrow chainring, with reasonable price.

There are options if you really want it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/General-Lee-11-40-Cassette-Rear-Sprockets-Kit-SRAM-Shimano-SRAM-XX1-Low-Cost-/271216037463?pt=US_Cassettes_Freewheels_Cogs&hash=item3f25bc4e57

I'm hoping the spider will work with my current XO crank, like an mrp bling ring etc.

There are cheaper rings out already that do exactly that!

Yes please!

so... x9 cranks with another new bcd size?! yeesh. why not something already standard? 76, 88, 104?

And @ 1.65 million it's a steal!

Having spent time on quite a few bikes with XX1, I can definitely say these are exciting times.

cool

Trickle...

Trickle...

Trickle...

FASTER, DAMN YOU =P