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XX1 Cassette Install / Creak Check

Feb 27, 2014 at 13:49
by Nate Collins  
One of our comments on the latest Tech Spotlight pointed out we didn't touch on the cassette - and JaseRidesBikes was absolutely correct so here it is!

We're going to touch in specific on XX1 Cassette installation and where we have commercially found creak issues.

The number one issue for creaks on these cassettes is FALSE TORQUE. The XD driver interface has substantial contact friction in the system, which leads riders to feel that they have torqued the assembly correctly when in fact the cassette is still loose on the driver. The lube and grease steps shown here are not to mask creaks - they are to reduce contact friction during assembly to allow a proper torque of your system.

NOTE: If you have questions don't destroy a cassette or driver. Work with a qualified resource as needed.

XX1 Cassette XD Driver Mount Technique

SRAM is aggressive with their running changes. This is a brand new cassette and has the internal threads pre-greased from the factory, the initial run cassettes did not come pre-greased.

If you are reassembling a 11 speed system insure that your cassette / driver are lubricated in the areas shown below:

areas to grease on XD system

The cassette fastening system should be lubed prior to assembly to minimize contact friction. Feel the friction in the fastening system prior to and after lubing the three points shown in the photo - it typically is quite notable. Joe is using TriFlow wet lube in the photo below.

XX1 Cassette XD Driver Mount Technique

It is critical that the XX1 cassette seats completely flush when torqued. Taking the steps above should minimize your contact friction during assembly. You will not need Herculean efforts to torque the system down if done correctly - however there is a decent amount of torque required to set the cassette in. Review the SRAM torque specs as needed.

XX1 Cassette XD Driver Mount Technique

Check your cassette to insure that there is not play in the system. If you have torqued the assembly AND have play there is an issue - depending on your problem solving skill set it may be best to contact a more qualified resource.

XX1 Cassette XD Driver Mount Technique

Again the lube and grease are not designed to mask your creaks - simply to allow the system to torque down correctly. If you have been suffering creaks in your 1x11 cassette I would wager 9 of 10 are from systems that are not correctly tightened down.

Some other issues we have seen: poor driver tolerance may not allow the cassette to interface properly. It is easy to eat up threads if you apply monster loads to something that is not going to physically fit.

Authors Note: The first XX1 cassette I installed for myself did not seat correctly (I'm the GM here not a mechanic...) but the false torque led me to believe I had it nailed. When I went to install the wheel the 10 tooth cog was in contact with my carbon rear triangle, which I caught in the stand prior to destroying anything, but it was a bit confusing / irritating. Our mechanics showed me the above and I haven't had issues since... Also - with the extra torque on the 42t make sure you use a hub designed for the increase load the larger diameter exerts.

Author Info:
Nate-at-BikeCo-com avatar

Member since Jan 27, 2014
86 articles

13 Comments
  • 4 0
 I've been plagued with the dreaded creaking issues with my rear cassette. I believe it's the pins holding the 42t to the machined cassette body. I followed the procedure above to no avail, until I repeated the process while adding a liberal amount of penetrating lubricant to the pins...I literally soaked them, and let it sit for about 1/2 hour. I then cleaned up the cassette, greased the interface points as mentioned above, and torqued to spec (40Nm). I'm now blessed with a quiet drive train that doesn't sound like a $500 Walmart bike assembled by a group of drunk Leprechauns!
  • 2 0
 Thats not fair! Drunk Leprechauns do a great job, especially when they team up!
  • 1 0
 FWIW I've run the XX1 for a year and I've always gotten a "pinging" not creaking especially when I'm in the granny gear. The ping ping ping sounds like spoke issues but I was told by a few shops that its just the angle the chain makes on the 1x11 and the sound of tooth engagement with the chain. I believed them and lived with it. Then just this weekend I had to change a failed drive side bearing on my Stans 3.30 hub. On reassembly I followed this cassette lube advice and 40 Nm (except that I used triflow everywhere except the free hub threads - I used anti seize on those). And what do you know... went for a ride today and no ping. Haha, awesome. I believe it was the cassette torque issue but who knows it may have been that bearing.
  • 1 0
 Just want to say 'thank you' for this article. I have about 1,200 miles (~150 hrs) on my XG-1195 and it started to develop a rubbing sound under hard load (eg. grinding a climb in a smaller cog). Took me weeks to track the noise down to the cassette, which was confirmed by swapping to a different (cheaper) cassette. I started contemplating the purchase of a new cassette but then came across this write-up. I followed the instructions and voila, no more noise. Thank you again.
  • 1 0
 Seriously about to check myself into the loony bin over this creak sound. Oh man do I hope this is the issue. Headed home tonight to re-assemble all this... I can't wait!
  • 1 0
 This fixed the rhythmic groan that was happening with every loaded pedal stroke, and not a moment too soon. I was going nuts. This applies to 12 speed XD cassettes too, FWIW.
  • 1 0
 Update: sometimes, even when you follow this procedure and torque to spec, that creak comes back, and then when you attempt to disassemble the thing, you find your cassette is seized to the driver. Interface assembly won't budge. Then, after you try everything in your tool kit to dislodge it (vice, breaker bar, penetrating oil, impact wrench), you take it to your LBS, and they promptly shear off all the splines, and now you're stuck with a creaking cassette permanently fused to the driver. SRAM won't even glance at this for a warranty. All that is to say: these XD drivers are flawed, and at some point they'll come back to bite you. I'm looking at e-thirteen's system now.
  • 1 0
 Anyone know what the torque spec is, having a difficult time finding it online
  • 1 0
 Guess I am stripping down my cassette tomorrow night! !!! ReallY hope this works for me. ...can't take the creak anY more
  • 2 0
 hidden nugget right here, good knowledge
  • 1 0
 Well all be damned glad i found this gem!
  • 1 0
 40 N m
  • 1 0
 delete







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