SRAM XX T-Type Eagle Transmission [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's T-Type Transmission Drivetrain absolutely changed the game when it was released a couple of months ago. The hangerless design coupled with the ability to shift under full power makes you rethink how you ride a bike. Our friend Tony recently purchased an XX T-Type drivetrain, and he loved it so much he came back and bought an X0 Transmission as well. Read on for more!

Stay away from the SRAM Eagle Transmission. Seriously, do not ride or even look at one. You’ve been warned. To try a SRAM Eagle Transmission is to want one and once you’ve decided you want one, your mind will set out justifying how you need one or even deserve one. As far as drivetrains go this one ‘goes to 11’ ok actually 12 but who's counting? It’s that good. There are so many good or even great drivetrains out there these days it’s hard to go wrong, but this Eagle Transmission sits, undisputed at the top.

Overview

Having owned and built more bikes than I can count has provided the opportunity to try many drivetrains. My stable currently has bikes with Shimano’s XTR system, SRAM’s Eagle AXS XX1 and a couple of other systems from SRAM and Shimano. As a fan of technology who likes to experiment with the latest thing, I knew I’d have to try the Eagle Transmission as soon as it arrived. Thanks to my friends at Worldwide I was able to get an Eagle XX transmission system including derailleur, shifter, cranks and a cassette very early on and, of course I installed it immediately on my S-works Stumpjumper. 

SRAM left nothing to chance and eliminated variables in achieving the perfect shift and that begins with installation. I watched a couple of videos on how to install and set up the Transmission before installing my XX system. The installation process is unlike any system before and must be followed precisely and it’s not difficult. As I mentioned, nothing is left to chance and every step of the installation is clear and detailed leaving no room for error. The installation is enjoyable and rewarding. I used the SRAM AXS application on the phone to perform the final fine tuning while the bike was on the stand–about the only adjustment you can make. Remember when you installed that last Eagle or XTR system trying to guesstimate the correct chain length and trying to induce the appropriate amount of sag to set the b-tension? Gone! The SRAM website tells you the exact chain length–116 links for my bike–no more and no less. Say goodbye to derailleur hangers, b-tension screws, limit screws, chain length guesses and cables and hello to the future. 

 After installation and setup I pulled the bike off the stand for the obligatory pedal around the street and…WOW. This system is slick. After a few shifts I used the AXS app to reverse the shifter paddle orientation from the default. I like to run the upper paddle to bring the chain up the cassette and the lower to drop the chain down the cassette. While in the app, I set the system to enable up to 3 successive shifts while holding the paddle down. Shifting is fast, quiet and as close to perfection as can be. Based on previous experience with XX systems, I expect to charge the derailleur battery about once per month and replace the shifter pod battery about once per year. I carry a spare CR2032 battery for the shifter with me just in case, as I’ve had one die on a ride on an AXS system. Speaking of shifters, the new shifter pod works well for me, but it took almost a dozen minor adjustments to get the angle, rotation and position dialed for my liking.

So, what’s not to like? Not much. I liked the Eagle XX transmission so much that I got an XO system for my hardtail a week or two later! That said, the price on these new Transmission systems is steep and SRAM hasn’t brought this technology to lower price points yet and it’s difficult (or impossible) to get the parts individually at this time. It’s a minor annoyance, but the new matchmaker for the shifting POD does not come with the system and is not yet available for retail purchase, but the mount that comes with the system works well enough. A few of my friends haven’t liked the shifter pod and one even traded his pod for an original style AXS shifter from the previous generation (about the only thing compatible between the original AXS system and new Transmission). In addition to getting used to the shifter pod, you may need to get used to the occasional shifting delay when trying to change several gears quickly. The transmission will only shift on designated places on the cassette, which is why you are able to shift while putting down so much power, and will occasionally create that delay. Finally, the new Transmission systems only work on frames with a Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) and will not work on frames that do not use UDH.

Final Thoughts

If you are considering a new high-end drivetrain, wired or wireless, and you can work an Eagle Transmission in the budget, do it. This is the new standard in precision, durability, shift quality and noise for MTB shifting.