SRAM's XO Silver - Sea Otter 2011

Apr 17, 2011

by Mike Levy

SRAM's Chris Hilton takes us through the XO Silver group:

While the polished finish on the XO Silver range is certainly eye catching, the addition of two new and lower geared chainring options for 2011 will be bigger news for a lot of riders. The current 2x10 XO gearing range is well liked by many riders for its reliability and easy to master front shifting - any cog and ring combo can be used without chain rub on the front derailleur - but it's Truvativ carbon cranks now get lower 22/36 and 24/38 ring options that will make the group even more versatile, especially when paired with one of their wide range cassettes. Riders who frequent steep terrain will no doubt be glad to learn about the lower gearing, but this will also be big news for a lot of 29'er riders. There is also a corresponding front derailleur that uses a more compact cage to better match the rings' smaller diameter for quality shifting, as well as a carbon fiber ring-guard that can be bolted on for added protection - something that those with 120bcd crank sets will be very happy to hear about.

Gear development comparison*

• New XO small 22 tooth ring x 36 tooth cog = 1.317 meters
• Original XO 28 tooth small ring x 36 tooth cog = 1.676 meters

*Gear development (also known as rollout) is the distance traveled by the bicycle per one revolution of the crank

SRAM has taken their popular workhorse group to new levels of bling by polishing nearly any and every metallic component of the group. The other red, gold, blue and stealth black color options are still available, but those who are looking for more flash or to blind fellow riders now have that option. The group's matching XO shifter gets the same treatment.

SRAM XO Silver rear derailleur details:
- Metal parts taken to a high polish
- Available in short, medium, long cages
- 10 speed Exact Actuation
- Compatible with 36t cog
- Stainless steel and titanium hardware
- Carbon outer cage
- Redesigned limit screws
- Weight: 203 grams

Truvativ's carbon armed XO crank sees it's aluminum spider taken to a high shine, but the bigger news here is the new gearing options for the 2x10 version. The original 26/39 and 28/42 ring combos are popular with many riders and they get carried over into 2011, but those who live and ride where the terrain is steep will appreciate the new 22/36 and 24/38 chainrings. You should be able to climb right up the side of a building when combined with one of their wide-range, 36-tooth-equipped cassettes. Truvativ will also be offering a carbon ring guard as well.

XO Silver crank details:
- Carbon arms and polished aluminum spider
- New 22/36 and 24/38 ring options in 2x10 configuration
- Weight: 728-788 grams

Those who want a matching bike will be stoked to see that the XO brakes get the same polished finish seen on the rest of the XO Silver group.

XO Silver brake details:
- Metal parts taken to a high polish
- Adjustable reach and contact point
- Uses new HS1 rotors
- 140mm (rear only)/160/180/200mm rotor options
- Carbon lever blade
- Weight: 333 grams

Check out the SRAM website to see their entire range.

There is no doubting that many riders will be sold on the polished finish alone, but the real meat to the 2011 XO updates is the new lower gearing and carbon chainring protector that will make the popular XO group even more versatile.

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks SRAM

Author Info:

mikelevy
Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

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40 Comments

58 3

UncleCliffy (Apr 16, 2011 at 22:42)

To paraphrase, "We're really excited XO is shiny like the new XTR."

bunkey (Apr 16, 2011 at 22:44)

UncleCliffy (Apr 16, 2011 at 22:53)

In all seriousness, great looking parts. I'd polish my whole bike if I could. I've always ran XO rear derailleurs, and that one is the best looking one yet.

cork (Apr 16, 2011 at 22:57)

That will be some mega low gearing! I have some super steep and long climbs where I ride and this could make sense. I'd rather get to the top fresher to enjoy the downhill. If I was fitter or didn't live here I wouldn't need it though.

Waldon83 (Apr 17, 2011 at 0:47)

Uncle Cliff, not going to lie. I have also ran X0 small cage rear mechs for several years now and it looks EXACTLY the same as the original one. Actually I lie, the first one's had X0 in white and red, and this one is in . . . . wait for it, 'POLISHED SILLLVVEERRR' GeeWizz you'll go extra fast without the colour paint!

UncleCliffy (Apr 17, 2011 at 0:51)

I still have one that's working. Since 04 I think!

kinggwarn (Apr 17, 2011 at 2:18)

SRAM just keep getting sexier!

Lester22291 (Apr 18, 2011 at 8:39)

What was he talking about?? sorry i was drooling over that enduro the whole time....

poundsand FL (Apr 16, 2011 at 23:13)

i'd much prefer to have it in different anodized colours like race face made their atlas bars..... then you can color code your bike to your own preference... the silver is nothing special... try again

nouser (Apr 17, 2011 at 1:50)

They did that. www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=40177

UncleCliffy (Apr 17, 2011 at 8:41)

I have the gold XO RD actually, but it doesn't exactly match my gold Atlas bars...

fantaman (Apr 16, 2011 at 22:36)

I've always said XO is the best looking SRAM Mountain bike groupset in my opinion,soo much nicer looking than XX.

nouser (Apr 17, 2011 at 1:51)

Did XX die or something because i don't see it anywhere?

DexterH (Apr 17, 2011 at 6:05)

XO or XX who cares... I know I cant afford to buy new components for my bike everytime they change models or bring out a new colour. When I break someting it is straight onto finding one seccond hand that firstly meets my price range, then if its the right colour then great. Anyway, I will be stoaked to try these out in a year or two when I am sure I will be able to get some. They're looking goood.

japhex (Apr 17, 2011 at 8:55)

Well i'm a sucker for polished, carbon and titanium bits and these look much better than the original. As a side note, 2011 XTR has textured areas on levers (shifters and brakes), lets see if sram will be "introducing" them for 2012...

frijolemoreno (Apr 16, 2011 at 22:50)

want it in gold. xtr silver; x.0 gold. that'd say something.

Maverickdh00 (Apr 17, 2011 at 16:43)

Sick, but I just replaced my XO setup on the DH bike with Saint, Sram still for trail bike though, oh and the new Saint is awesome in the performance stakes on the DH rig! and no 10spd either!

r451 (Apr 17, 2011 at 12:45)

Oh cummon guys, silver is at least 10% faster than black or any of the anodized colors

daisycutter (Apr 17, 2011 at 4:58)

When ever the product remains the same and Sram just changes colors(silver); look out a new update is just around the corner.

maxdad (Apr 19, 2011 at 17:44)

xx is the road derailuer dude

seraph (May 27, 2011 at 11:09)

XX is the top-end mountain group from SRAM. XX, X.O, X.9, X.7, X.5 are all mountain groups. Red, Black Red, Force, Rival, and Apex are all road groups.

Chubzor (Apr 16, 2011 at 23:35)

To be honest, I don't see the point of such flashy components. If your bike is clean, you haven't been riding it enough.

dennisbarrera (Apr 17, 2011 at 4:00)

Agreed, it's just gonna get dirty and not look shiney. They should make the whole thing outa carbon.

bullcrew (Apr 16, 2011 at 23:41)

Last time I checked they didn't make blue components..... These are nice but polished is a bit dated.

l2wto (Apr 17, 2011 at 0:21)

i got blue sram x0 rear derailleur and shifters, ltd edition of 2011 trek scratch

pbuser102331 (Apr 17, 2011 at 6:06)

Polished is the new white,shame they stole the idea from shimano though.

smike (Apr 18, 2011 at 12:08)

"Polished is a bit dated"...

And anodized ISN'T???

bullcrew (Apr 18, 2011 at 12:40)

They both are, i say screw it lets make it out of clear plexiglass. Lol i know theres only so many things we can do asthetically and color wise. Wish theyd get more on board with texture ano tats (2finishes one smooth and design polished) then anodize.

SHARK555 (Apr 17, 2011 at 4:17)

i still love the anodized finish of the X0, where it was coloured metal, not paint.

wretchedspawn (Apr 17, 2011 at 5:56)

im riding a standard red anno X0 with a 36 tooth 9 speed cog....this X0 silver is invalid

neroleeloo (Apr 17, 2011 at 9:08)

Sram sucks... absolutely no innovation at all and their reliability has been going down the drain for the past 4-5 years 2012 Shimano looks a million times better !

seraph (May 27, 2011 at 11:03)

Well you're of course entitled to your opinion, but to say that SRAM has no innovation is just silly. Keep in mind that 2012 XTR Shadow+ basically makes the Shimano derailleurs work exactly like the SRAM ones.

nato (Apr 16, 2011 at 22:39)

Gotta get me some of that bling bling

allenrotstein (Apr 17, 2011 at 12:01)

Or you could just get yourself a Bench Grinder, swap the coarse wheel for a polishing wheel and do your own polishing! Ha!

seraph (May 27, 2011 at 11:09)

Good luck with that.

Colinprprpr (Apr 16, 2011 at 22:42)

want.

konashreder101 (Apr 16, 2011 at 22:42)

sick components

wretchedspawn (Apr 17, 2011 at 5:56)

cassette^^

game (Apr 17, 2011 at 4:26)

fuck tenspeed

seraph (May 27, 2011 at 11:02)

Obviously you haven't ridden 10-speed.