The latest X9 trigger shifter is smaller and lighter than the old version, and gets treated to the ZeroLoss technology and ball bearings found on SRAM’s top-end X0 and XX shifters. But is this enough to warrant an upgrade?
We’ve been hammering the X9 shifter for nearly six months now and it hasn’t missed a beat. The ZeroLoss feature means there’s no dead movement at the start of the lever stroke when you go for a downshift. This feels surprisingly apparent in practice and makes for precise, tight, resistance-free shifting. Upshifts have the same precise, positive clunk that we’re fond of on the pricier X0 shifters.
Because the levers now pivot on bearings rather than bushes, the shifter should last a whole lot longer without developing any play or sloppiness. The rubber flap for cable changing is gone, with the whole shifter cover needing to be removed for a cable change using a 3mm Allen key. This helps keep dirt out – we’ve done three cable changes and our test shifter has always been super-clean inside, even after some seriously wet winter rides.