SRAM announces X01 mountain bike group
The new group is similar to the top-end XX1 setup, but at a lower price point
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SRAM is bringing its 1×11 drivetrains to a lower price point for 2014, the company announced on Thursday. The new X01 group will sit just below the top-tier XX1, providing much of the same technology in an even more robust, slightly heavier, and slightly cheaper package.
The new group includes trigger and GripShift shifter options, a new XG-1195 11-speed cassette, an XX1-style rear derailleur, and the carbon-armed XO1 crankset. The total price for the group, which includes a bottom bracket, will start at $1,280. Swap in an XX1 shifter, derailleur and crankset and that jumps to $1,350.
The X01, like its big brother the XX1, will rely on a single front ring and 11 rear cogs. A roller clutch in the rear derailleur and carefully shaped, extra tall chainring teeth (called X-Sync) eliminate the need for any additional chain management for most uses, while the extra wide, 10-42 tooth cassette provides nearly the same gear ratio spread as a more traditional 2×10 setup.
X01 Crankset — $280 (GXP BB), $320 (BB30), and chainring ($100-130)
The X01 crankset is available with carbon or aluminum arms, and a spider design compatible with all five available chainring sizes (30-, 32-, 34-, 36-, and 38-tooth).
The cranks will be available in red and black with GXP or BB30 spindles. A chainring guard is available. Weight is claimed at 645 grams with the bottom bracket.
X01 X-Horizon rear derailleur — $270
The new X01 rear derailleur borrows much of its tech from the XX1 version, focused on chain control and reliability. It hits the exact same claimed weight (220 grams) as the XX1.
Like the XX1 version, it is built around SRAM’s X-Horizon technology, which limits movement to the horizontal axis, reducing shift force and eliminating ghost shifting.
A large upper pulley offset automatically adjusts chain gap, and a roller bearing clutch (with SRAM’s Cage Lock tech) keeps the pulleys from bouncing around.
X01 Trigger and Grip shifters — $130 (trigger), $120 (grip)
The X01 Trigger is essentially identical in design and function to the XX1 version, and is actually lighter and cheaper to boot. The new design drops 91 grams and about $45 relative to the XX1.
It utilizes SRAM’s Zero Loss tech, the usual 1:1 cable pull ratio, and is Matchmaker compatible (so it can be mounted up easily with your Avid disc brake levers and/or RockShox lockout lever). It’s available in red and black.
The Grip shifter is heavier than its XX1 sibling by about 50 grams. It utilizes metal indexing to keep shifting crisp and precise across the shifter’s life, and has three rows of ball bearings to provide zero play and to reduce shift force.
XG-1195 cassette — $400
The new cassette, which is still technically in the XX1 range (X01 doesn’t get its own cassette) has 11 speeds and maintains the same tooth count as before (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 28, 32, 36, 42). Weight is a bit higher than before at 275 grams, but the price drops by $25. It uses the same X-Dome technology, allowing for excellent mud clearance and low weight.
The special freehub body required to use both of SRAM’s 1x drivetrains sees a small update, dropping about six grams.