First of all: I am sceptical about the electrification of the gearstick. The horrendous price is to blame. The new Sram GX Eagle Transmission from this test costs a whole 1300 euros (!) - and I've never found shifting difficult. The chain changed the sprocket reliably even with a cable pull. But now I was ready to be proven wrong and rode the latest Sram GX E transmission for seven months. From August to February. Specifically: 2098 kilometres through dust, rain, mud and snow.
More precise shifting? 2000 km with the Sram GX Eagle Transmission
The lack of cables gives the cockpit with the electric gearstick a tidy look - I like that. I didn't have to do the assembly, but according to lab employee Hans it should be relatively easy, given the right explanatory video and tools (including a torque spanner). The buttons on the AXS Pod Controller can be exchanged and their assignments swapped.
They all have one thing in common: all it takes is a light press of the thumb and the direct mount rear derailleur shifts the chain reliably and precisely to the next sprocket. And yes, that's pretty cool. No matter how fast you press the button, the wireless shifting won't be thrown out of sync. Just like its more expensive sisters, the GX Eagle Transmission shifts twelve gears. The 520 per cent gear range covers a wide range of applications.
The battery is well protected in the rear derailleur and is very easy to remove. I only had to charge the battery a few times during the 2000 kilometres. Unfortunately, the battery emergency caught me unprepared twice. No beeping, no flashing red light. Suddenly nothing worked and the chain stopped on one of the largest sprockets. I had no choice but to make my way home with the cranking frequency of a hummingbird. Annoying!
But it was my own fault, because the battery status can be checked by pressing a button on the rear derailleur and the remote lever. If the mini LED flashes red, you should promptly replace the button battery on the remote lever or charge the battery on the rear derailleur. It should also be possible to check the batteries with the right app, but I already have enough apps on my smartphone, so I simply refused.
During the winter months, the rear derailleur was under constant attack: In addition to rain and slush, road salt and grit also took their toll on the derailleur. The latter caused the otherwise so reliable rear derailleur to slip a few times. The GX Transmission stumbled when changing gear and jumped between gears. The small stones blocked the mechanism. This also happened once during extreme muddy rides. A wash provided a remedy. After around seven months, the wear on the transmission is limited.
Weight: 2002 grams (groupset), prices: 480 euros (rear derailleur) 1300 euros (groupset)
Conclusion on the Sram GX Eagle AXS after over 2000 kilometres in the test
Functional, precise gearshift group for technology fans on a tight budget. -
STRENGTHS:
- Switching precision
- Tidy look
- Missing cable pull
- Simple assembly
Weaknesses
- Expensive
- Frame with UDH mount required
- Empty battery means closing time
Laurin Lehner
Editor
