2017 Pinkbike Awards: Component of the Year Winner
Why it's the winner:
Pro-level features priced for enthusiast riders. That was the common thread for the three candidates nominated for Component of the Year. E*thirteen's TRS Race cassette is lightweight, user-serviceable, and offers 11-speed Shimano and SRAM owners a wider gearing range than SRAM's class.leading Eagle 12-speed transmission. TRP's G-Spec Quadiem brakes were co-developed and race-proven by Aaron Gwin. We rated them best in class, and you still can buy a set for $199 a side. SRAM, wins it, however, for bucking the "trickle-down" trend with its 12-speed Eagle ensemble.
Eagle GX was brought to market right on the heels of SRAM's high-end Eagle XX1 and X01 groups. The quick and decisive launch of GX at less than half the cost of its premier wide-range 12-speed transmissions was a dramatic reversal of the wait-for-it ploy that both Shimano and SRAM have historically used to maximize their profits. GX Eagle could not have come at a better time. Trail-bike development had peaked, and high-performance models were being priced out of reach of enthusiast riders. SRAM's introduction of GX seems to have inspired an influx of more affordable, kick-ass trail bikes - which is why we chose it for the 2017 Component of the Year.
From the Whyte S-150 Carbon Review:
 | Most speculated that SRAM would maintain the premium price of its 12-speed Eagle drivetrain for years to come. Instead, they immediately began scaling down costs to make Eagle more accessible. The release of its affordable GX ensemble this year elevates the technical performance of bikes like the Whyte S-150C RS to levels that approach elite models that most riders can only dream to own. |
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-old dude
Clueless dude
www.pinkbike.com/u/mikekazimer/blog/ridden-and-rated-7-long-travel-29ers.html
Before declaring something useless, maybe consider that not useful to you is not the same as not useful to anyone
32t x 27.5 is about the same speed range as 30t x 29 btw, so even a 30t really isn't that low of gear when mounted on a 29.
Overall I think amateurs would be better served by easier gearing than what companies are currently offering, Sram and Shimano are both selling pro-level gearing for riders that aren't that fast.
1xX simply requires more compromises in that matter. But people have already voted against 2x, so there is not much to argue about.
@iantmcg A smaller chainring than the "ideal" will increase bob, but it will be like the old Santa Cruz Hecklers, where the chainline is inside the pivot and so the chain wants to pull the suspension _up_ in its travel rather than down as you put power to the pedals. A larger chainring, conversely, will push the bike deeper into its travel under power.
Lots of nuance (much of which I don't understand) but that's the basics of it, and it's why single pivot and Horst bikes have the main pivot right about at the top of the chainring (and why high-pivot bikes use an idler pulley).
Disclaimer: not a bike designer, just a big nerd.
You've gotta remember we were also on 26" wheels back then, which required significantly more gearing to achieve the same speed, and cassettes didn't have 10 or 9 or even 11 if you go back far enough.
I used a 22/34/bash back in the 3x days for trail riding in Tucson. My early 2000s XC MBAA rig had a 2x with a 38 I think, but I don't really remember.
I have current top 10 Strava times on several Milagrosa segments with my 30t...
Gwinn rides 32t, Sam Hill rides 32t or 34t, and most WC XC riders run 34 or 36 (Nino runs 38, but he's a freak), so I really don't think these large rings are needed by your average amateur.
- man! you climbed 3000ft on a 36t ring and 10sp cassette in the rear!
- uhm yeah... I guess so
- duuuude!
- what?
- you get sooo much squat in your rear suspension!
That being said, I have been riding my bike with an Eagle set up for the past year. Honestly, it has been flawless. It is every bit as good as the reviews if not better. I have ridden a lot (I am old, like Wade and Tippy vintage) of different set ups and this is by far the best. I know it is expensive, but if you have the cash Eagle is clearly the top drivetrain.
I got myself new XX1 eagle group but XX1 shifter wasn't available, so I had to make due with GX shifter for a while.
And you know what? It works the same as my new XX1 or XTR I had before.
While XX1 cassette is really pretty and light, GX Eagle shifter and derailleur are great.
When I got my new bike, it came with the gx eagle groupo and a 34t front chainring. The shifting is really crisp, hasn't had any problem in the 450km I rode in the last two months and the spread of the gears seems better/smoother than my older 11-36. Not gonna lie, I don't really use the 50t uunless it's really steep or really muddy and you need a really low gear to keep on pushing on.
I personally wouldn't buy the groupo as an upgrade seeing as it can get quite pricy if you factor in all the parts, but if your brand new bike comes with it, there's really nothing to complain about (even the derailleur cage length, I probably broke close to 20 rear derailleurs since I started riding but this one doesn't have a scratch nor did it seem to hit stuff easily along trails) , it just works bloody damn well.
Why would anyone buy this over an SLX is a mystery to me. Considering SLX works better, it is lighter and it cost around 1/2 of the price.
This is entertaining. Where is the popcorn?
Its great to have options and, just like bikes, there is no one solution that is going to be best for all applications.
To me, I see it as if you already have 11 speed with an XD driver, the e13 cassette is the way to go. Going from 9 or 10 speed, Eagle GX.
Conversely, the SRAM X-Dome cassette is the only positive thing about SRAM 11-speed systems. Shimano's shifters, deraileurs and cranks are all superior.
XT M8000 is the ruler of drivetrains. You just can't beat it. You can even pair it with an e13, OneUp, or Sunrace cassette and have Eagle's range with Shimano quality. Less than $350 for an 11-50t drivetrain (crank included). Untouchable.
Plus, if you're already 1x up front, the prices of both are pretty similar.
to the TRS Race cassette but weighs 40g more. Still over 100g lighter than GX Eagle cassette and has more range. I use mine with XT 11 speed and the shifts are smooth and crisp.