Simply six quick weeks in the past, we reported on the launch of SRAM’s long-awaited Mechanical Transmission mountain bike drivetrains, Eagle 90 and Eagle 70. For a lot of, particularly those that have lamented the proliferation of electronics in biking, this was a welcome new product launch.
However possibly you might be amongst those that simply can’t reside with out batteries in your bike?
Improve your mechanical SRAM Transmission to AXS wi-fi
The nice and cozy reception to Mechanical Transmission reminded us that mechanical shifting is much from useless. However SRAM, the worldwide chief in placing a battery on it, needs you to have the choice to transform your new Mechanical Transmission to wi-fi, too. That’s proper, the brand new SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission Improve Equipment can flip your cable-actuated Eagle 90 or Eagle 70 derailleurs into wi-fi GX Transmission derailleurs for simply $550 / 650€ and a fast dwelling swap.
Chances are you’ll recall, one of many speaking factors when SRAM launched its Transmission drivetrains was that they have been rebuildable. And the elements have been interchangeable. So since all of the T-Kind derailleurs share the identical normal design, SRAM didn’t even have to design something new, simply pull a number of spare elements off the shelf…
The brand new AXS Transmission improve equipment consists of the GX AXS-enabled derailleur physique (and not using a cage), an AXS battery & its charger, an AXS Pod Controller, and even a brand new chain hyperlink. The equipment makes use of your present derailleur’s tool-free fast spin-off cage and reverse-threaded mounting bolt, alongside together with your present flattop chain, chainring, cranks, and so on. Whereas we haven’t carried out it (why would we need to?), swapping out the derailleur our bodies is simple. In response to SRAM, “simply disassemble, improve, reassemble.”
Sure, that sounds a bit oversimplified, but it surely doesn’t appear notably troublesome, both. Keep in mind that this will even contain eradicating/reinstalling the chain, eradicating the mechanical shift cable/housing, and swapping out the shifter for the AXS Pod. All of these steps are pretty straightforward to finish on one’s personal with somewhat mechanical know-how and the suitable instruments, too.
SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission Improve Equipment
For the battery-averse amongst us, SRAM’s Mechanical Transmission drivetrains have been a refreshing reminder that cables have and proceed to work properly and never every thing must be wi-fi. Cory has spent a good period of time using Eagle 90 and describes it as “the precise mountain bike group [he] was ready for.” I’ve been using with it for the previous few weeks as properly, and I’ve been very impressed. It really works nice, and also you don’t have to recollect to cost any batteries.
However in case you have wi-fi AXS FOMO, SRAM now has you lined.
What Drawback Does This Remedy?
So, this received me (us) questioning, does anybody truly need this?
Whereas I doubt these conversion kits will likely be flying off the cabinets, I can see some riders ponying up for the improve. Say, for instance, you got the brand new Kona Hei Hei CR that Steve has been testing. That bike at present solely is available in one full construct, and Mechanical Eagle 90 is the one drivetrain possibility. For those who needed a wi-fi drivetrain, you would purchase this $550 conversion equipment and be good to go together with only a few minutes of drivetrain swap.
For those who have been to purchase the elements individually, the derailleur will set you again $400 (with a cage), the AXS Pod Controller sells for $150, the AXS Battery is $59, the AXS Battery Charger goes for $49, and the PowerLock hyperlink is one other $18. That’s a complete of $676, a cool $126 greater than the improve equipment. So, assuming you have already got an Eagle 90 or Eagle 70 drivetrain and also you need to convert it to wi-fi, then you would save somewhat cash with this equipment. That’s not a ton of cash, but it surely’s nearly sufficient to purchase a brand new set of tires.
(Though, these financial savings may not likely add up. You may simply as simply discover some extra inexpensive AXS offers on the market. Or choose the older, cheaper AXS shifter. Or not want one other charger if you have already got some AXS elements. Plus, realistically, some artistic mechanical work and you would set up a separate GX AXS T-type derailleur instead of a Mechanical Eagle 70/90 one with out splitting the chain, and nonetheless find yourself with a spare derailleur cage within the course of.)
Extra SRAM AXS Improve choices is at all times higher
I feel it’s cool that riders have the choice to improve to wi-fi. However that is undoubtedly a reasonably area of interest market – restricted solely to those that simply purchased a motorbike with one among these new Eagle 70 or 90 groupsets, however have digital purchaser’s regret. (Plus, SRAM already had/have a less complicated $568/595€ AXS improve equipment to go from authentic Eagle to non-T-type AXS, the place you didn’t should swap cages and will improve much more present setups already out on the path.)
I’d argue {that a} wi-fi to mechanical downgrade equipment could possibly be as a lot or much more widespread. And it wouldn’t be exhausting for SRAM to place collectively since all the elements exist already.
What do you assume? Would anybody need to convert their GX AXS Transmission or S1000 AXS setup to Eagle 90? Tell us within the feedback under.
