The 2007 X-9 gear system looks a lot like the amazing 2006 X.0 set and it's very nearly as fantastic. Gone is the simple looking rear mech - and hopefully the play that developed fairly quickly with it - and in is the X.0 style parallelogram rear mech with its trick, milled-out, futuristic look. The spring is also as strong as the X.0 version. The jockey cage is aluminium, though, so if you want a carbon fibre cage, you'll still have to go X.0.
The shifters also look just like X.0 models, but lack their adjustable throw, mounting options and carbon fibre 'lids'. Shifting quality is up to X.0 standard, though; the same positive clunk-click that made X.0 instantly popular is here on the new X-9. No more slightly vague shifting from over-polite levers, just snappy shifting that'll feel as clean when clogged with muck as the day you fitted the components.
We've only done a few miles using 2007 X-9 kit so far, but we're impressed. If the mech is as strong as the X.0 version and doesn't develop the dreaded wobble of the current X-9 unit, SRAM are on to a major winner here. The new X-9 system will be available around September.
