SRAM has released its new GX Eagle Transmission groupset, bringing its direct-mount derailleur technology to a lower price point.
The new mountain bike groupset shares the same derailleur design as the Eagle Transmission groupsets launched in March 2023. But a simpler construction brings the price down to £1,180/$1,099/€1,300.
The pay-off for the lower price is an increase in weight, with SRAM using heavier materials, a simpler cassette and a modified rear derailleur compared to the higher-end Eagle Transmission groupsets.
Overall, you’re looking at a weight increase of around 215g for the entire GX Transmission groupset compared to an XX T-Type Eagle Transmission groupset.
SRAM has also launched new cheaper Bronze Stealth Code and Level brakes, featuring the closer-to-the-bar Stealth master cylinder design and a matching Dark Polar finish for a coordinated drivetrain and braking setup.
Five things you need to know about SRAM GX Eagle Transmission
- As with other Eagle Transmission groupsets, GX will only work on bikes with SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH)
- GX Transmission is significantly cheaper than X0 Transmission at £1,180/$1,099/€1,300 vs £1,715/$1,599/€1,900
- GX Transmission uses a redesigned gearbox and revised battery location, which is claimed to improve durability
- GX Transmission retains many features from other Transmission groupsets, including lack of adjustment screws, user-replaceable components, the Flattop chain, and X-Sync chainring and cassette teeth
- Transmission groupsets are designed to work as a complete system that is not backwards-compatible with older AXS drivetrains
SRAM GX Eagle Transmission derailleur
Like the first generation of SRAM AXS drivetrains, the battery on XX and X0 Transmission derailleurs is mounted on the rear.
GX Transmission, however, has a revised battery placement, moving it in between the hangerless interface struts.
SRAM claims this should provide better impact protection.
The gearbox has also been reconfigured for GX Transmission, though SRAM hasn’t stated why it has done this or what changes are involved.
Elsewhere though, much is shared with the other derailleurs in the Transmission ecosystem.
The derailleur uses Transmission’s signature Hangerless Interface and Full Mount attachment method, using the thru-axle itself for direct contact with the cassette.
That means there is no derailleur hanger and no traditional adjustment screws. SRAM claims this results in a quicker, easier setup.
The skid plates, outer parallelogram link, and the tool-free cage and clutch can all be swapped between any tier of Transmission groupset and, in the case of the cage and clutch, can be upgraded if you wish.
The inner part of the derailleur cage is steel, rather than aluminium as found in its more expensive siblings. This saves costs and adds some weight, but is also claimed to be more durable.
Individually, the rear derailleur will cost £430/$400/€480
GX Eagle Transmission crankset
The GX Transmission crankset uses a different design and construction compared to its more expensive stablemates.
Like X0 Transmission, it's forged from aluminium but doesn’t feature the eye-catching polished finish and hollow-arm design.
Instead, it has a recessed crank-arm face, which should help keep them looking tidy and scuff-free in the long run.
As with the other Transmission groupsets, the cranks have a 55mm chainline for an improved chain angle when combined with the T-Type cassette.
They’re available in the typical 165, 170 and 175mm crank lengths.
It also shares the two independently removable bash guards, though this time, they are composite, rather than aluminium as on X0.
They’re designed to protect the T-Type Flattop Chain-compatible chainring, which shares the 8-bolt mounting of the higher-end Transmission groupsets.
Unlike the previous generation of GX Eagle AXS, there is no carbon crank option. Given X0 Transmission also doesn’t feature carbon cranks, it’s unlikely we’ll see them in future either.
The eMTB version of the GX Transmission crankset uses the ISIS Interface and is available in shorter 160, 165 and 170mm lengths for improved ground clearance.
The regular crankset with 30, 32 or 34T chainring and bash guards costs £215/$200/€240, while the eMTB crankset goes for £150/$140/€170.
GX Eagle Transmission cassette
SRAM says the key part of GX Eagle Transmission’s shifting performance is the T-Type cassette and Flattop chain.
The XG-1275 T-Type cassette uses a full X-Sync design with narrow-wide teeth and shift lanes that block or enable the chain to move from one gear to the next.
The cassette also has shift ramps that ensure the chain is in constant contact with the cassette as it shifts, according to SRAM.
The 10-52t cassette offers a 520 per cent gear range. This is the same as the more expensive Transmission groupsets.
Previous generation AXS Eagle groupsets featured a 10t jump between the two largest cogs (42t to 52t), which could lead to a lurchy change in cadence when shifting between them.
The new cassette smooths out this transition with 38t, 44t and 52t cogs at the low end of the cassette.
It also features the red setup cog, which is used to simplify the setup process for Transmission groupsets.
The construction of the cassette is different from the more expensive options.
In order to cut costs, GX forgoes the X-Dome single-piece machined construction for the lower gears and instead uses SRAM’s simpler PinDome design. This sees the eight largest cogs pinned together with a single-piece construction used for the four smallest cogs.
Finally, the cassette is nickel-plated, which the brand claims should make it more durable and quieter.
While cheaper than other T-Type cassettes, the XG-1275 is still a punchy £270/$250/€300
SRAM GX Eagle Transmission Flattop chain
The chain uses SRAM’s Flattop profile and solid pins. It is also coated with an unspecified material, which is claimed to improve durability.
At £55/$50/€60, the chain is substantially cheaper than X0 (£105/$100/€120).
SRAM T-Type Eagle Transmission AXS Pod controller/shifter
Unlike the older GX AXS drivetrain, GX Eagle Transmission doesn’t have a standalone controller. Instead, it shares the more basic, non-modular button version of the pod controller with the other Transmissions in the ecosystem.
As such, it has the same flippable two-button layout rather than the rocker paddle of old.
It also shares the Bridge Clamp with 16mm of sliding adjustability. This mounts directly to brakes that are compatible with SRAM’s older MMX clamps.
Alternatively, a single Torx 25 bolt Infinity Clamp handlebar clamping option allows you to mount the controller separately from the brake lever, offering even more adjustability at the cost of a slightly more clutterer handlebar.
The Standard Pod controller costs £165/$150/€180.
SRAM GX Eagle Transmission range overview
While SRAM’s latest launch product is a lot cheaper than its more expensive siblings, at £1,180/$1,099/€1,300 for a complete GX Eagle Transmission, it is still a pretty significant outlay.
Included in the price are a GX Eagle Transmission derailleur and accompanying AXS battery, the pod controller, the new XG-1275 10-52T Transmission cassette, the SolidPin Flattop chain and a DUB crankset sporting a 32T chainring with neat two-piece composite bash guards.
There’s also the option of an ebike groupset for £1,015/$949/€1,250, which is exactly the same but comes without a crankset. However, if you want to go full collar and cuffs, you can buy an e-bike-compatible GX Transmission crankset that uses the ISIS bottom bracket interface.
New SRAM Bronze Stealth Code and Level brakes
Finally, there are also new Bronze Stealth Code and Level brakes to tie in with the launch of GX Eagle Transmission.
These join the Ultimate and Silver brakes in SRAM’s range and feature the sleeker-looking Stealth design, which places the master cylinder closer to the bar.
This should give you a cleaner cockpit to match up with your fancy Eagle Transmission.
The Code Bronze Stealth brakes share the same calliper, tool-free reach adjust and SwingLink technology as the more expensive brakes, but forgoes the Contact Point Adjustment and Lever Pivot Bearing of the next model in the line, the Code Silver Stealth.
The Level Bronze Stealth is available in two- and four-piston variants, and again shares many features with the Level Silver brake, such as the tool-free reach adjust and DirectLink lever design, but like the Code Bronze, does away with the Lever Pivot Bearings.
