Sram has taken up the cause of "maximum reduction" with the introduction of a 1x11 drivetrain. No other manufacturer currently has a single chainring at the front combined with an eleven-speed cassette in its programme. By dispensing with the front derailleur and associated gear lever, you save around 250 grams compared to a conventional drivetrain and eliminate the risk of chain jamming due to shifting under load. Thanks to the wide spread of the cassette from 10 to 42 teeth (ten-speed 11-36 teeth), the XX1 achieves an unprecedented range for a single chainring system. Of course, the system cannot compete with two or even three chainrings. The XX1 is therefore a specialist that can be customised to a specific requirement profile. However, if you are looking for an all-rounder for all purposes, you have to be prepared to compromise on the given range.
To check how the groupset performs in the endurance test, we fitted it to bikes with different suspension travel and intended uses: Marathon, All Mountain and Enduro.
Rear derailleur, chainring, shifter: The SRAM XX1 in the endurance test
The result: In general, the 1300 euro XX1 groupset leaves an extremely high-quality impression on every playing field and impresses with its reliable, precise function, even after several months of use. Due to the slightly closer sprockets on the cassette and the slightly narrower chain, meticulous adjustment is particularly important to ensure quiet rotation. In terms of wear, the aluminium chainring turned out to be the weakest part of the drivetrain. The teeth of the stiff chainring, which have different thicknesses, optimally fill the gaps in the chain and, in combination with the friction-damped Type 2 rear derailleur, prevent the chain from jumping off.
In both marathon and all-mountain use, the chain stayed on the chainring with ease. After losing the chain four times on the Enduro, an additional chain guide was fitted. Due to the chainline of 49 millimetres, the chainring is not exactly in the centre of the sprocket set, but about five millimetres further out. If the chain is on the largest sprocket, the torque and skew of the chain are at a maximum and lead to high wear of the aluminium teeth on the sprocket and chainring. The outer side of the chainring in particular wears very quickly as a result, causing the teeth to become narrower and the backlash-free fit of the teeth in the clearances of the chain to suffer. The longer you ride the chainrings, the easier it is for the chain to come off. The positive, tight fit between the chainring and the chain causes noticeable grinding in mud. Dirt particles find little room and are ground away. Compared to the chainring, the chain has a very good durability and hardly elongates. The cassette, which is made of hardened steel except for the largest sprocket, also lasts longer than average. None of the groupsets we tested had a chain break, and the crank bearings did not cause any problems either.
Functionality *****
Shelf life ****
(max. 6 stars)
WHO IS THE XX1 SUITABLE FOR?
Nothing for marathons
I ride a hardtail and like simple, minimalist technology. The XX1 groupset promises exactly that. And indeed: touring is great. You can even cope with long, difficult marathons. Two things stood out during the race. Contrary to my original expectations, it's not the climbing character of the bike that suffers, but the speed capability on flat terrain and downhill trails. As a result, I often had to leave groups behind during the race in order to fight my way back up the climbs. In addition, the gears are much coarser, which makes it more difficult to find the optimum frequency. (Henri Lesewitz, reporter)
Good for All Mountain
The season with the XX1 on a Cube Stereo 140 All Mountain (29 inch) convinced me of the function of the groupset, and I was surprised at how far you can go with the gear range on offer - provided you are above averagely trained and have the right chainring fitted. For extreme demands, I had a second chainring in my rucksack. In combination with Gripshift, operation is simple and perfect. Conclusion: zero problems with the shifting function, one chain replacement after 1700 km, one defective Gripshift - known pre-series problem. (Christoph Listmann, Test Manager)
Ideal for Enduro
I rode the XX1 groupset for a year in various enduro races and, despite some minor problems, I would be reluctant to do without the functionality and sufficient range for this application. If there were any problems, it was with the rear derailleur. Once an adjustment screw broke, and on the rocky courses in Finale Ligure the plastic plate at the bottom of the parallelogram reacted very sensitively to stone contact. The bearing damage on the guide roller should be a thing of the past thanks to revised seals. A narrower chain line would reduce wear. (Peter Nilges, test editor)
