SRAM GX Eagle Trigger Shifter [Rider Review]

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for. 

SRAM being one of the leaders in the off-road drivetrain game, the SRAM GX Eagle Trigger Shifter is a great upgrade for the person looking for a great upgrade to top level performance at a great price point. Light, fast, and crisp, the GX Eagle Trigger Shifter delivers. Check out this review to hear what our customer had to say!

Overview

With today's bikes, there is a ton of research and technology that is put into making the best handling frame, suspension, and wheel systems. The drive train can be somewhat of a weak point, not in a bad way, but in a good way for the consumer. By having less expensive drivetrains available on framesets, the buyer can get into that bike at a better price point and upgrade later. This is exactly how I did this for my bike.

I purchased my bike equipped with the SRAM Eagle NX build due to the competitive price point as the suspension, wheelset, and dropper seat post was what I was looking for. The beauty of SRAM is their ability to work together from the NX to the XX1/AXS level.

It was an easy pick to upgrade to the SRAM GX Eagle trigger shifter. With the positive feel in the trigger and the fact it would work with the rest of the group set, I figured I couldn’t go wrong. 

First Impressions

The shifter arrived from WC super quick and the contents were unscathed from the postal services. Once unpackaged, the unboxing and installation were about to take place. SRAM puts a lot of work into their products, from packaging, the actual component, and supplied instructions.

Installation was extremely straight forward. The SRAM GX Eagle Trigger shifter went on in the same manner as the NX shifter via the bar clamp method of how it secures to the bar. The SRAM GX Eagle shifter came with a new cable installed so only minor adjustments with the rear derailleur were necessary. The lever tension was tighter than that of the SRAM NX Eagle Shifter. There was no delay or excess play when making shifts while on the bike stand. The finish of the shifter is nice, it blends well with the other components on the bike, so nothing looks out of place. 

Out on the trail, I wanted to see just how much of a difference there was. I decided to head out to a local trail in North Carolina in the Uwharrie National Forest. This would offer about 2500 feet of elevation change, lots of quick downhill sections, and then right into some demanding climbing. The SRAM GX Eagle trigger shifter did not disappoint from the get-go. I instantly noticed a positive feel of the shifting from the feel and the sound. Each shift point, either 3 shifts or single action was on point. Compared to the SRAM NX Eagle Shifter, this was the right choice for $45.00. 

Conclusion

In closing, when I was looking for a bike, the drive train was not a top priority as I could upgrade later. I couldn't be happier that I did this. I have a wonderful bike that I will keep for a long time and now I am putting the parts on it that I want.