Sram AXS: This is how easy it is to set up the electronic gearstick

In our YouTube-How-to is about all the important functions that you should consider when converting to an electronic Sram AXS groupset, as well as when simply adjusting the gears. We show the differences between hardtail and fully. The AXS drivetrain makes no difference between MTB and E-MTB - assembly, adjustment and use are the same.

Battery runtimes for AXS components

When trying out the system for the first time after installation - or later after extensive touring - the charge level of the batteries in the rear derailleur and shifters may be too low. So that you can check this in good time, both AXS components display the charge level with their LEDs every time you tap them. The shifters and rear derailleur differ greatly in terms of battery life (according to the manufacturer).

Charge level shift lever:

• Green = 3 to 12 months of use remain
• Red = 1 to 3 months of use remain
• Flashing red = less than 1 month of use remaining

Charge level rear derailleur:

• Green = 5 to 25 hours of use remain
• Red = 1 to 5 hours of use remain
• Flashing red = less than 1.5 hours of use remain

The rear derailleur battery is charged with the supplied charger and USB-C cable. There is a normal CR 2032 button cell in the gear lever (not a rechargeable battery!), which must be replaced with a new one.

Sram AXS: Coupling of shift lever and rear derailleur

The Sram AXS makes it extremely easy to fit the gear lever and gear system, as no cables need to be routed or tensioned. The shift lever simply needs to be clamped to the handlebars. The rear derailleur is simply screwed onto the derailleur hanger. Incidentally, it doesn't matter whether you opt for a Sram GX EagleXX1 or a corresponding upgrade kit: The steps described are the same.

In order for both components of the Sram wireless shifting system to communicate with each other, they must be paired. To do this, the AXS function button on the rear derailleur must be pressed until it flashes green. Then press and hold the function button on the shift lever until it starts flashing green rapidly. The pairing process is then completed by pressing the button on the rear derailleur again until the green LED stops flashing.

Setting the gears on the Sram AXS drivetrain

Setting the gearstick is much less fiddly compared to mechanical variants (>> Read here how to set up a Sram 1x12 Eagle drivetrain). Where quite a few people have run out of patience because the interplay of tension, adjustment of the circuit end points and small screws just wouldn't work - here the AXS radio circuit makes it easy.

If one or more gears make noise or the rear derailleur does not move the chain up or down quickly enough, the derailleur is not positioned exactly under the respective sprocket. Accordingly, the rear derailleur must be positioned further inwards or outwards.

To fine-tune the Sram AXS, hold down the function button on the shift lever and press the shift paddle at the same time. Each press changes the position of the rear derailleur by 0.2 millimetres in the selected direction. Depending on the button assignment, the shift paddle ensures that upshifts and downshifts are performed. By default, the lower rocker shifts to lighter gears, meaning the rear derailleur moves towards the hub. However, this button assignment can be changed in the AXS app.

For example, if the chain rattles in second gear and tends to want to shift into first gear (largest sprocket): Here, press down on the rocker so often that the sprocket set comes to rest. The same applies vice versa: If the chain does not want to shift into first gear, press upwards as often as necessary until the gear change works properly.

Sram Chain Gap Tool: Using the gap template

With SRAM derailleurs, the distance between the largest sprocket and the upper derailleur pulley is very important. To be able to set this correctly SRAM the so-called Chain Gap Tool a gauge or template - with which the adjustment can be made quite easily. First, the chain must be shifted to the second largest sprocket. Then place the gauge on the largest sprocket and turn the tool and cassette towards the rear derailleur.

The small arrow on the Chain Gap Tool should point directly to the centre of the screw of the upper derailleur pulley. If this is not the case, the distance must be adjusted using a 3 mm Allen key on the adjustment screw on the rear derailleur (see picture below) - the only mechanical adjustment on the Sram AXS derailleur! If you turn the screw in (clockwise), the distance increases and the derailleur pulley moves downwards.

Special feature here: On a fully, you have to pay attention to the sag and adjust the chain gap while the suspension is under load. This means that the person actually riding should be sitting on the bike. Someone else then has to make the adjustment on the AXS rear derailleur.

Sram AXS app: further setting options

The Sram AXS app offers a few more setting options. You can use it to select the components directly and, for example, configure the button assignment of the rocker switch described above or read the battery status.

Very important for EMTBs is also the fact that the AXS app offers Multishifting function deactivated is and remains. This means that only one gear can be shifted at a time at the touch of a button, and the chain and cassette are spared extreme shifting operations. This results in a significantly longer service life for these components. For non-motorised bikes, you can select whether two or three gears are changed at once when the shift button is held down for a longer period.

Software update for the Sram AXS drivetrain

Every now and then, the AXS app will also report that a component requires a software update. This works in a similar way to the apps on your smartphone: simply confirm the update and the download and installation process starts automatically.

A tip for transporting an (e-)mountain bike with Sram AXS drivetrain: As the drivetrain reacts to vibrations, is actively shifted and consumes power accordingly, the battery should be removed from the drivetrain when travelling. For this purpose, Sram supplies red protective caps both for the slot on the derailleur and for the battery itself.

We show you how to convert an old MTB drivetrain to a new, mechanical 1x12 drivetrain in a separate video.

This video tutorial shows you how to set up a 12-speed Shimano XT MTB drivetrain (M8100).

Here we show you how to change the gear ratio on the chainring of an E-MTB.