SRAM's Prototype 7 Speed AXS Drivetrain - Crankworx Whistler 2019
SRAM had Brandon Semenuk's Raw 100 V5 bike on display at Whistler, but there was one big difference from the setup he was riding in Utah. Instead of Brandon's customary single speed, the Ticket S at Crankworx was sporting a prototype 7-speed AXS drivetrain.
The black box hiding the Blackbox goodness.
AXS Eagle was released in February this year as the first wireless shifting system to come to mountain biking. On release, it was a 12 speed only drivetrain available at XX1 and X01 level. The drivetrains employed the same cranks, cassette, and chain as the mechanical version, with the only difference being the 'oil slick' finish (officially called "Rainbow") on the latter two and that appears to be the case here as well. The cassette is their existing 7-speed mini block with a 10-24t range, while the chain appears to have been lifted from an XX1 drivetrain.
This looks to be the same controller as the XX1 and X01 versions of AXS.
The only new bit of tech here is the derailleur. The upper casting appears to be the same as the regular X01 AXS but the parallelogram and lower knuckle appear to be different castings. There is also a shorter cage, as would be expected on a 7 speed derailleur. The technical gubbins are currently hidden by a black plastic cover with five slits in it, which looks a bit bulkier than the current AXS models we've seen. Are the internals are different or is it just different programming with a new bit of plastic to throw people off?
The standard X01 AXS Eagle derailleur for comparison.
We don't expect many slopestyle bikes to be running this 7 speed set up and Brandon's bike is probably just being used as a way to grab attention here. Instead, we see the real benefits coming for downhill racers as a wireless groupset will make life easier for mechanics who strip-down and rebuild bikes many times a year and an even greater advantage could come from the "Overload clutch" that is already found on AXS derailleurs. The clutch isolates the tiny gearbox from the forces of you smashing the derailleur into a rock and allows it to recover from a potentially damaging impact in a race run, as demonstrated on the XX1 derailleur here:
The system is in SRAM's Blackbox prototyping stage, so it is only available to athletes and details are thin on the ground, but we've been told that there's a chance we'll see it in action on some bikes this weekend. SRAM were very keen to stress that this is only a prototype and wouldn't confirm if it would ever become a production model. We'll let you know any more details as we get them.
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
*looks back*
"ahh man, it must be up the trail somewhere near that rock garden..."
Gearboxes would be more expensive and probably not cost-efficient for the bike industry. They put NX drivetrain on $4000+ bikes now, so I wouldn’t expect gearboxes ever...
Hedonistic is just something not-yet consumerist, just waiting for a sustainable market. And it looks like eShifting found one.
Who gets to decide what the limit is?
Are you the almighty limit decider? Am I?
How is this limit enforced?
What factors are you considering when deciding which bike parts are too nice?
Thanks.
-The limit is defined based on sustainability. We have to look at what resources are required to achieve the desired goal and if those additional resources put unnecessary strain on the planet.
-The limit is not decided by a single person but instead by group consensus among those qualified to speak on the subject. I am a civil engineer with a specialty in environmental engineering. Before that I spent three years studying humanities and worked in natural resource area restoration and management. I feel that because of education and experience I am qualified to contribute to the discussion. This is no different than seeking riding advice. If the advice is coming from the guy I just saw go around a half-foot root drop I am not likely to listen, but when Minnaar or Gwin have something to say I am going to listen and trust their information because they are experienced and knowledgeable about the subject. So if you or anyone else has the education and experience to speak intelligently about the issue then absolutely you should be a part of determining how to curb consumerism while still maintaining a high standard of living for all.
-This is an excellent question and something I don't really know. I doubt firm, concrete rules could ever be established or enforced. The EPA and environmental movement attempted to put reasonable rules in place that would protect ordinary people from toxic substances being put into the air, water, and soil by industry. Even these simple, common sense rules are apparently too much. It is astounding to me how companies can rally the ignorant to fight for the removal of regulations that protect the very air and water they depend on to survive. The black lung and silica poisoning epidemics are great examples. So my belief is that a culture shift is required, the population needs to start thinking of things in terms of their demand on finite resources and the waste that is produced in order to create that thing.
Think of a thing from a cradle to grave accounting perspective. The raw materials need to be extracted, transported, refined, and transported again. Then the processed materials must be made into the end product. This takes more resources and produces waste. Even something as simple as cleaning parts between stages of production or metal plating. The water and chemicals used to clean and plate parts needs to be disposed of. Then once the thing is complete it needs to be packaged and shipped to market, where it is then sold and used. Eventually the thing reaches the end of it's life and is discarded. What happens to it then, is it recycled or dumped? What resources are required to recycle it, and what harm is done by trashing it? Will metals from the battery leech into groundwater? What about the land required to provide a landfill?
-My decision for whether something is too nice is based on how that thing compares to other widely available options and what benefit that thing provides over the other options. In the case of electronic shifting the additional resources required and waste generated from the production and eventual disposal of an electronic drivetrain versus mechanical outweighs the benefit electronic shifting provides over mechanical. Does someone really need all that extra stuff so that your shifting is easier? I don't recall shifting being that hard, and I actually like being able to feel where the chain is through the shifter. AXS solves the non-problem of shifting being too much work at the expense of additional resources.
Here's the other side of it. Dropper posts are MUCH more resource hungry than fixed posts. But they are game changers for the sport and transform the experience of riding. Disc brakes are another example (compared to cable operated rim brakes).
Anyways, I think everyone having a basic understanding of how their consumption affects a world of finite resources is crucial before any meaningful discussion can occur related to sustainability. Think of it this way, in order for us to have all our toys we consume a disproportionate amount of resources. I'm all for working hard and enjoying life, but there needs to be a balance, a point where we are willing to give up a little convenience and pleasure derived from consumption for the good of current and future generations. I like riding in the woods, and I want to make sure those woods are still there 20 years from now.
Your point of view however, is exactly that, YOUR point of view; Nothing more nothing less. Stating your credentials here has zero influence on the value of your opinion. Your personal views as a mountain bike rider and somebody who cares about the environment are the only opinions that actually carry any weight here. I'm all for diversity, as you have stated you dont agree with this, and on my end I think this is a great idea. Keep in mind we are looking at this innovation from differant perspectives, and this needs to be respected. Just because I dont agree with you, doesnt mean I dont like you. Let's not turn this into another "I'm offended" situation. If you would like my two cents from my perspective as a mountain bike rider... As I stated before, this is something that I can support as a racer. Wrenching your bike once a week to two weeks and doing tear down/ rebuild. This is one less thing to worry about in terms of setup and maintinance. I think that's the goal here. I dont see this being a replacement, nor do I see the ecological impact at this point significant enough to be concerned. You question the impact, yet there is a good chance you wrote your response on a smart phone, arguably the most significant impact to your exact point. Let's also take a look at the amount of people who mountainbike worldwide. Most of whom would gladly rally behind you in order to save our trails. To answer your point of "convincing you if your wrong". Nobody here is calling you wrong, they are just arguing their point of view. You will never have a consensus on innovation... ever.
Also great points regarding point of view. I suppose what I was trying to say is that just because someone has an opinion on something does not mean that opinion carries equal weight. A professional welder is much more qualified to speak about welding than I am. Would you agree that experience and knowledge make some people's opinions more valuable than others on certain topics?
How do you feel about some issues not being open for debate? I will use global warming as an example. In order to combat regulation and changes the Republican party has attempted to discredit science and bring it down to the level of opinion so that global warming's existence is perceived as being open for debate. This is not right, science does not work that way and the existence of global warming is not open for debate.
Back on topic I am curious, is an electronic drivetrain less maintenance? Wouldn't a more complicated system be prone to more problems?
I think global warming is definitely real. I cant speak to the science though as I'm not well educated in that field, however do have my theorys. All of which are probably bullshit.
I think an electric drivetrain years ago would fall under the problematic side of things. I cant say it wont have its flaws. I think in theory it's a great idea as I have never used it in an applied scenario. I think under the right circumstances it can easily outperform a mechanical version. I also believe it opens up better ways to develop a shifter, as well as avenues for aftermarket shifters.
Take the automotive industry. Before Tesla proved everybody wrong. I think the idea of electric vehicles were better suited for a scifi genre. I think driving a Tesla would easily sway anybody's decision.
I believe innovation is just that. Let's give it a chance to prove it's worth. Who knows? At one point the idea of a 29er bike was laughable... I'm currently on one... I will never go back.
A year ago, an electronic drivetrain to me seemed laughable. I can honestly say the level of innovation I have seen and experienced with my current bike this season from my last seasons bike makes me curious.
I will maintain open mindedness to well thought out and well executed ideas any day. I do agree though, that we should not get tunnel vision over this and we should all support a sustainable industry.
29" + mountains and 10-50 range becomes real nice. I climb 10k+ per week, have top 10% Strava times on most climbs, and am pretty damn fit, and I still use my 32/50 for at least half my climbing.
Let us know how it goes.
I have wireless sram etap shifting on my road bike and it uses the same battery mount as the new axs stuff.
"The technical gubbins are currently hidden by a black plastic cover with five slits in it, which looks a bit bulkier than the current AXS models we've seen. Are the internals are different or is it just different programming with a new bit of plastic to throw people off?"
"I also mentioned I would love to see a motorized seat post. One that could be lowered with out having to sit down."
you meant - BMC's Autodrop Dropper Post ? )
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6QTZafd7Pc