All it’s essential to know concerning the new SRAM Eagle ecosystem

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Extra sturdy, simpler to put in, simpler to repair; Eagle will get a serious replace for the 2024 mannequin 12 months, and so do SRAM’s Stage and Code brakes

It’s 11 years since SRAM 1x groupsets hit the bike world, 6 years since SRAM Eagle with its dinner-plate proportioned cassette arrived on the scene, and round 4 years since we bought the wi-fi AXS system. For 2024, SRAM has unleashed the following iteration of SRAM Eagle Transmission, boasting a raft of latest supplies, designs and improvements… and in addition an overhauled SRAM brake lineup with modifications to the Stage and Code brakes.

Need to know what it’s like in motion? Learn our evaluate of the brand new SRAM XX Eagle AXS transmission.

The brand new ecosystem options three groupsets, comprising considerably up to date and redesigned derailleurs, cassettes, cranksets and chains. A brand new AXS handlebar management unit, the ‘AXS Pod’, is programmable and may be mounted for both left or right-handed use. Two of the groupsets – the XX and X0 – are electrical mountain bike suitable with direct-mount chainrings to swimsuit a variety of techniques together with BOSCH, Brose and Shimano STEPS.

Must know:

New T-Kind components are usually not backwards suitable
Stealth brake physique and lever design sits nearer to the handlebars
New SRAM Stage four-piston brakes
Simpler to put in, keep and alter
Guarantees elevated sturdiness and robustness
Three groupsets: XX SL Eagle, XX Eagle and X0 Eagle
New, extra ergonomic ‘Pod’ design shift controls
Full Mount derailleur bolts straight to border/axle utilizing UDH interface
Permits shifting underneath heavy load
Energy meter choices for many cranks
XX and X0 are eMTB suitable

SRAM direct mount deraileur Eagle AXS 2024

The brand new SRAM Eagle derailleurs are actually direct mount for higher precision, energy and sturdiness

We’re happy to see the system has been designed to be simpler to suit and alter, and in addition repair with replaceable components on derailleurs. SRAM additionally makes a lot of the reported improve in sturdiness and robustness of the system. That is actually an excellent factor, not least as a result of this method is unquestionably not low cost! The bottom mannequin SRAM X0 Eagle groupset (not together with cranks) is available in at £1240 / $1299, with the highest mannequin clocking in at a powerful excessive £2355 / $2199 for the XX SL Eagle groupset.

SRAM brakes updates

Earlier than moving into the intensive SRAM Eagle drivetrain updates, let’s check out the modifications to the SRAM Code and Stage brakes.

Engineered to enrich the Eagle updates, one of the crucial apparent modifications is the aesthetics. No extra hoses protruding from the brake physique at jaunty angles; as a substitute, the brand new ‘stealth’ physique sits extra intently aligned with the handlebars, with the hoses emerge alongside fairly than outward for a a lot neater look.

The brake hose now sits a lot nearer to the handlebars

Within the Code lineup is the SRAM Code Final Stealth and Code Silver Stealth. Designed for heavy-duty use with four-piston braking, it makes use of DOT fluid, comes with sturdy metallic brake pads as commonplace and presents tool-free attain adjustment. The vary topping Code Final Stealth incorporates a carbon blade with titanium caliper {hardware}, with cast aluminium physique. The Code Silver Stealth has a cast aluminium physique and blades with stainless-steel caliper {hardware}.

There are two choices for the brand new SRAM Stage brakes; the 4-piston choice which is designed for path using and fashionable XC racing, and the lighter 2-piston choice. Once more, all use DOT fluid, are primarily based round a cast aluminium physique, with steel-backed natural brake pads as commonplace.

For every of the 2- or 4-piston choices, the Stage comes as both Stage Final Stealth or Stage Silver Stealth. The Final mannequin comes with carbon blade and titanium caliper {hardware}, whereas the Silver mannequin comes with aluminium blade and stainless-steel {hardware}.

SRAM Code Final Stealth – $300.00 €360.00 £320.00
SRAM Code Silver Stealth – $265.00 €320.00 £285.00
SRAM Stage Final Stealth 4-piston – $300.00 €360.00 £320.00
SRAM Stage Silver Stealth 4-piston – $195.00 €235.00 £210.00
SRAM Stage Final Stealth 2-piston – $285.00 €340.00 £305.00
SRAM Stage Silver Stealth 2-piston – $185.00 €220.00 £200.00

Eagle Transmission updates

And now onto the chunkiest replace, and there’s quite a bit to cowl right here so settle in for the lengthy haul.

SRAM Eagle derailleur design

Derailleurs have at all times been one of the crucial costly, and most weak, elements within the drivetrain. SRAM says the brand new Eagle derailleurs have been considerably re-engineered to be extra sturdy.

The brand new SRAM XX Eagle derailleur

Appropriate with the UDH (Common Derailleur Hangers) interface, they’re additionally designed to be mounted on to the wheel axle, with mountings bracketing both aspect of the body offering a way more safe attachment. This additionally means much less adjustment is required to align the derailleur with the rear cassette; no extra tweaking numerous restrict screws to get the place right. SRAM claims that this mounting system offers zero tolerance between T-type cassettes and derailleurs.

Because of this mounting system and the brand new design, the derailleur sits extra intently and extra compactly in towards the bike body and cassette, providing it extra inherent safety from knocks and bashes,

The underside pulley is designed to align with the chainring, which means a discount in put on and tear as there are fewer cross-directional forces on the chain because it passes over the front-chainring tooth, and in addition a decrease chance of chain drop when shifting.

The Magic Wheel in motion

This decrease pulley additionally has a exceptional characteristic. SRAM name it the Magic Pulley and it’s actually an incredible optical phantasm till you get your head round it. It’s designed to nonetheless permit the chain to maneuver ought to something get caught inside the pulley wheel. If a stick will get caught, the outer tooth proceed to show across the internal part of the pulley wheel. The derailleur can be designed to permit shifting underneath load.

Lastly, of curiosity to anybody in favour of saving cash and sources is the truth that the derailleurs have been designed to be rebuilt, so if a portion of it breaks, that ought to not essentially imply the entire shebang must be changed.

SRAM Eagle controls

Elevated ergonomics for consolation and management are promised within the type of each the brand new Pod controls and the up to date Bridge Clamp, which presents extra mounting choices than the earlier Matchmaker Clamp.

The Pod Final controllers can be utilized both on the left or proper, and have a excessive diploma of adjustability

The AXS Pod controls include a flattish, squarish panel with two programmable buttons on the highest floor and a aspect button to provoke pairing with different objects within the AXS groupset ecosystem. The Pod may be mounted both on the left or proper, and the buttons include both concave or convex choices. There’s loads of ergonomic adjustability to permit for essentially the most snug and environment friendly match.

There are two variations; the Pod ($150/€180/£160) and the Pod Final ($200/€240/£215).

SRAM Eagle cassette

Echoing the modifications throughout the Eagle ecosystem, the brand new cassettes nonetheless provide the extensive 10-52t vary we’ve come to know and love from Eagle, however with a couple of vital modifications.

Firstly, low-end gear steps have been – in SRAM’s phrases – optimised, to offer much less of a leap between the bottom and second-lowest cog. The three low cogs on the present Eagle system run 36T, 42T and 52T; the brand new Eagle runs 38T, 44T then 52T.

From L to R, the X0, XX and XX SL cassettes

All the brand new cassettes characteristic SRAM’s X-Sync system, the place the tooth on the assorted cassette cogs have been ‘mapped’ to make sure they’re formed to swimsuit the place the chain will make contact for inbound and outbound shift actions. This, SRAM says, signifies that the brand new SRAM Eagle system helps gear shifting underneath load. In SRAMs personal phrases, ‘the tougher you pedal, the higher it shifts’.

The light-weight XC-focussed XX SL cassette

The lightest, XC-focussed XX Eagle SL cassette combines a hardened metal X-Dome building for gears 4 – 12, and light-weight aluminium spider cogs for gears 1 – 3. The XX Eagle cassette additionally options an aluminium spider cog for the primary gear.

In step with making issues like set up and set-up simpler throughout the board, there’s a clearly-marked set-up cog, and all characteristic XD driver our bodies.

SRAM Eagle chain

SRAM’s flattop chain design is already on the market, and it’s a major characteristic of the brand new SRAM Eagle chains. This design options materials added to the flat aspect of the chain plates to spice up energy for the slender 12-speed chains, and add giant diameter rollers; these add sturdiness and shifting smoothness.

The XC-focussed vary topping XX Eagle SL flattop chain additionally options cut-outs on the outer plates which helps lower weight.

SRAM Eagle Energy Meters

With the upcoming 2023 World Championships, the approaching begin of the ‘23 World Cup season, and the Olympics within the not-so-distant future, it’s hardly shocking that there’s a lot more energy meter integration with the brand new SRAM Eagle ecosystem.

SRAM XX crankset with Quarq power meter 2024

SRAM use Quarq energy meters for watt measuremet

Accessible as energy meter cranksets and spindle-only energy meters, SRAM makes use of new Quarq energy meters to both provide dual-side measurement (solely accessible on the range-topping XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission Energy Metre Crankset) or left aspect solely, with whole watts extrapolated from that measurement and relayed to a mounted show unit.

Appropriate with RockShox Flight Attendant, all are powered by a user-replaceable battery, both a CR2032 battery or AAA lithium battery.

SRAM Eagle Cranksets

SRAM XX Eagle cranksets with power meter and bash guard 2024

Spot the distinction: one SRAM XX Eagle crankset with bash guard, one with out, and one with Quarq energy meter

Whereas the XX SL Eagle range-topping crankset will definitely get the headlines – what with its hole carbon-fibre building and being the lightest ISO-certified set in the marketplace – it must be mentioned that the X0 Eagle crankset has caught our consideration.

It’s bought placing seems, has full aluminium building, and with non-obligatory bashguard accessible and is energy meter prepared. Sitting between the 2 is the XX Eagle crankset, constructed from carbon fibre with foam core, plus direct-mount chainring, detachable and replaceable bash guards, and can be energy meter prepared.