CHICAGO, IL (BRAIN) — SRAM puts 1-by-11 within reach of more mountain bikers with the new X1 group, its first such offering to hit a price point less than $1,000.
The system carries over some of the technologies and features found on SRAM's higher-end XX1 and X01 groups, including narrow/wide-tooth X-Sync chainrings for chain retention, SRAM's X-Horizon derailleur design with a roller bearing clutch to reduce chain slap and cage lock for easy wheel removal, XD driver body and a 10-42T cassette range.
Where X1 differs is that it does not include a GripShift option — the group includes an aluminum trigger shifter only, though the system is compatible with XX1 and X01 twist shifters — and cranks are aluminum rather than carbon, reducing cost. The rear derailleur also gets an aluminum cage rather than the carbon found on X01 and XXI.
Aftermarket cranks are offered in either hollow or solid forged 6000 series aluminum — the latter also includes a version for fat bikes—along with an OE-exclusive crankset in 7000 series aluminum. Chainrings come in even tooth counts from 30-38T, same as X01; the new drivetrain does not get XX1's 28T option.
The X1 Mini Cluster cassette yields significant cost savings compared with its 11-speed SRAM brethren. Whereas 10 of the XX1's 11 cogs are made from a single piece of machined steel — a highly (robot) labor intensive process — only the three smallest X1 cogs are CNC'd from one billet steel block, with the remaining eight cogs pinned together individually. At 315 grams, the cassette is 65 grams heavier than XX1, but with an MSRP of $313, it sells for $132 less.
Total weight for the group comes in at 1,750 grams, compared with 1,525 grams for X01 and 1,473 grams for XX1.
Available in June, X1 will retail for $898-$961, depending on crankset selection. That compares with $1,325-$1,335 for X01 and $1,504-$1,703 for XX1, which gets both standard and ceramic bearing bottom bracket options for 2015.
Expect to see X1 on upcoming bikes from Trek, Giant, Canyon and others.
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MSRP on the X1 cassette is $132 less than SRAM’s top-end XX1. -
Hollow-armed X1 1400 crankset -
X1 is offered with trigger shifter only—no GripShift.
