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Just In: SRAM’s Most Affordable 1X Group, the New X1 with Actual Weights

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SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (2)

It seems like forever ago, but it was just over 2 years ago that SRAM introduced their revolutionary XX1 drivetrain which promised to rid the world of front derailleurs for good. It was awesome, but it was prohibitively expensive for the majority of consumers. Many waited patiently for the release of X01, hoping it would be cheaper. It was, but was still fairly expensive. Now, with the introduction of X1, SRAM finally has a 1x group that retails below the $1,000 mark – potentially as low as $861. That’s still a good chunk of change, but it will bring wide range, single ring drivetrains within reach of many more riders, especially with OEM sales.

While the group isn’t offered at a huge discount over X01, it’s also not that far off technology wise, meaning this should be an extremely competitive drivetrain. Curious as to what’s changed? Read on for tech, actual weights, and more….

SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  2

SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (6) SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (8)

For the purpose of this review, our group was shipped with the upscale X1 1400 Hollow Forged X-Sync crankset with a 32t ring. Cheaper cranksets are also available with the X1 1000 X-Sync, and the OEM only X1 1200 X-Sync which each forgo the hollow forged arms and replaceable spider of the 1400 level crank to bring the price down. Not only is the X1 1400 crank an option for those looking for a less expensive crank, but also for anyone looking for an aluminum rather than carbon crank. Fully compatible with XX1, X01, and X1, the 1400 may be the crank of choice for chronic heel scuffers.

It’s important to note that the 1400 crankset utilizes a 94mm BCD which allows for the use of a standard 30t ring without having to thread the chainring bolt into the ring itself. It also allows for the user to swap chainrings without removing the crank from the bike. However, since it is not the 76mm BCD found on the XX1 crank you are limited to a 30t ring as the smallest option – unless you switch to an XX1 spider with the XX1 28t ring, which is possible thanks to the 1400’s removable spider.

Built with the tooth profile that started it all, X-Sync Narrow-Wide chainrings offer the original optimized tooth profile to keep the chain in place without the need for a derailleur or guide. X1 1400 cranks are compatible with the X1 chainrings in 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38t, as well as the 94mm BCD X01 chainrings in the same tooth counts. X1 1400 cranks are available in GXP or BB30 spindles and in  170 or 175mm lengths.

SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (4)SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (5)

Integral to the 1x design, SRAM’s X-Dome cassettes are engineering marvels. Just how do you bring that technology down to a more affordable level? It’s all in the pins. While the XX1 and X01 cassettes see an immense amount of machining time with 10 of the cogs machined from a single piece of chromoly steel, the X1 Mini-Cluster cassette has the first three cogs machined from a single billet, while the remaining 8 cogs are individually pinned together. The design adds a bit of weight to the final cassette, but retains the impressive mud shedding found in the other designs.

X1 Xg-1180 Mini Cluster Cassettes still rely on the SRAM XD freehub body and offer 11-speeds (10-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32-36-42).

SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  chain

The X1 group also introduces a new SRAM 11 speed chain in the PC-X1.Built with the same XX1 chain geometry, the X1 chain uses solid pins and black coated inner links instead of the Hard Chrome finish. That’s enough to drop the price down from $63 to $37, which for a wear item is good news for riders of all 1x SRAM drivetrains.

SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (11)

For the most part, the X1 X-actuation shifter has changed very little from the X01 shifter. The biggest change is the loss of the adjustable pull lever which shouldn’t be a much of an issue for most. Otherwise, the Zero-Loss shifter is still MatchMaker X compatible with a two position clamp and an aluminum cover and pull lever.

SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (3

SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (9) SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (10)

As for the rear derailleur, the X1 X-Horizon unit forgoes the carbon cage of it’s higher end brethren in favor of aluminum. Still equipped with a roller bearing clutch, Cage Lock, and 12t X-Sync pulleys with sealed cartridge bearings, much like the crank this may be the perfect option for those who still prefer aluminum over carbon.

Weights:

SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (12)

SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (16) SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (1)

SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (15) SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (13)

SRAM X1 1x11 drivetrain weights actual  (14)

So the X1 group will be lighter on your wallet, but how is it on the bike? Compared to the XX1 group Tyler tested (BB30), the full X1 group (GXP) comes in just over 200g more at 1651g excluding the bottom bracket, and including the shift cable and shifter clamp. How much weight will this actually save over a 2×10 drivetrain with a front derailleur? We will find out soon and report back.

Pricing:

  • Shifter $81
  • RD $231
  • Crank $199 – 308
  • Cassette $313
  • Chain $37

sram.com

 

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Maxwell
Maxwell
9 years ago

How much does the cassette cost? That is the biggest hurdle to SRAM 1x adoption, a multi-hundred dollar wear item.

Matt
Matt
9 years ago

I like the idea of a 1x system with the reduced weight and hassle factor associated with not having a front derailleur, however, living in a location (Santa Barbara) where the climbs are long and longer, I think I may have to go against the stream and keep a 2x for more gearing options.

Am I wrong?

Pasabaporaquí
Pasabaporaquí
9 years ago

@Matt, if you need it, keep going against the grain and have a front mech.
In some years, SRAM will present their new groupset,that will be a 2×12, and will sale it as one of the greatest innovations ever.
Next thing, guess what? Maybe a triple crankset. Mmmmhhh, future may bring wider gear ranges…

jeff
jeff
9 years ago

going from a 39×26 xx with 11/36 to xx1 with a 30 i gained 1/2 a climbing gear on my 29er, ditch the 2x

Ralph
9 years ago

When you’re considering a 1x drivetrain and comparing it to other bikes you may have ridden in the past, make sure you’re comparing overall GAIN ratios and not just GEAR ratios. Larger rims, fatter tires on wider rims, these make a difference.

Charlie Best
Charlie Best
9 years ago

Shifter looks like mid 1990s Suntour Accushift

Ken
Ken
9 years ago

So the cassette weighs 315 g and costs 315.00 , weird?

James S
James S
9 years ago

Well Matt, it kind of depends on what your lowest gear ratio is right now. 24/36 is identical to 28/42, so it’s actually pretty easy to keep the same low gear by switching to a 1x system if you go with a 28 front.

Although Ralph is technically correct, most of us are thinking about changes to our current bike so gain ratios are not needed. All you need to do is divide the front chainring by the rear cog and compare ratios. A lower number is an easier gear, higher is harder. Pretty simple and there’s no need for fancy spreadsheets or Sheldon Brown’s calculator.

JoeP
JoeP
9 years ago

Right now I have a 1x set up with a 11-36 (10spd) and two chainring options a NS Billet 27t and NS Billet 30t. These work well depending on my ride conditions.

Some time not too far in the future all these 1x 11 speed configurations will drop in price OR an enterprising third party will provide an inexpensive 10 speed option.

Ben
Ben
9 years ago

1x is great. Yes on ratios, probably not losing a ton. What a lot of people are not accounting for is the wearing out factor for those riders like Matt. For someone that spends a lot of time climbing steep and long climbs and spending a lot of time granny (or even the next 1 or 2 down) gearing it, there is some good cross chaining going on that is going to wear things out quite a bit faster and at the prices of replacements, it becomes expensive quickly. Fine if you consider that, but I don’t think many people are and are disappointed because they didn’t anticipate it. 1x 11 is not the end all be all for a lot of riders in certain circumstances. For me, I’ll take it. For Matt, probably just stick to the setup you were happy with.

Jose
Jose
9 years ago

24/36 is close to 28/42. But 36/11 is a whole lot bigger than 28/10.

What I want is fewer gears with way bigger gaps. I usually ride my 2x in 34t 24t 14t in the rear and shift my front 24/36. I find I shift the front more than anything as I like the more immediate larger shifts.

Chris Warburton
Chris Warburton
9 years ago

$313 for that pinned cassette? maybe I’m missing something but aren’t DA cassettes in that ball park?

@maxwell cassettes don’t have to be considered wear items. I’ve never worn out a cassette through some rotation, but most importantly replacing chains a *touch* before they read “replace” on the park checker. my buddy thrashed a whole drivetrain from not changing a chain, and ever since I’ve followed the pre-emptive change rule with great effect.

muf
muf
9 years ago

Yeah the gear range is generally the problem for me specially on CX and MTB. I generally dont need more than 6 gears – but i need a large range between them.

XX1 and derivatives are good because of the 42T rear cog IMO. Without it it wouldnt be enough for me. In fact, on CX. its limited to 32 or 36 and thats not enough.. either losing too much while going uphill either losing too much on the flat.
(For CX its probably a bigger issue than MTB anyways)

Dr. Sartorious
Dr. Sartorious
9 years ago

SRAM, don’t get too happy. Comments will still pop up on here from cheap bastards who think bike parts should be free, since biking is a kumbaya activity buttressed by companies that should act like co-ops and give everything away if you’ll just do your dishes on Tuesdays.

MissedThePoint
MissedThePoint
9 years ago

I’ll keep waiting. This doesn’t interest me at all. The prospect of upgrading for less than the cost of a SRAM 11spd cassette, when Shimano trickles down to SLX level… maybe in 2 years? Perhaps then, maybe the Spec Enduro 29 style geo will make it to 110-130mm of travel too?

Mindless
Mindless
9 years ago

$313 cassette where you can not replace a worn out cog cluster? And with pins that will start to creak?

Thank you, I will wait for sub $100 XT on sale online. And see if Shimano comes up with a better 10t solution than the current SRAM specific freehubs..

Stampers
Stampers
9 years ago

It’ll be nice for the OEM side of things…more bikes coming stock with this drivetrain is a good thing and only encourages faster innovation, trickle down and price drops from both SRAM and Shimano.

CXisfun
CXisfun
9 years ago

Let’s be honest, who here actually pays retail on SRAM bits? Hell, 11sp Rival was available on eBay before they have even technically announced it’s existence. I won’t be riding this group, but let’s not pretend like anyone pays retail for SRAM parts.

Fabio
Fabio
9 years ago

What weight of crankset 1400 without spider and without ring?

Gegats
Gegats
9 years ago

Blah blah blah

Dude
Dude
9 years ago

I would encourage any 1x doubters to ride it. I have been on 2x for years, but 1x is simply amazing. The 10-42 cassette with front ring of choice. Perfect. Gear spacing is simply spot on. I will never go back to 2x, 3x etc. even if new electronic will wipe the dribble from my chin.

Blake
9 years ago

And for the folks that can’t drop this kind of money on a groupset, just add a top gear:

http://www.oneupcomponents.com/

AbelF
AbelF
9 years ago

To much Maneeiiiii!

mateo
mateo
9 years ago

For the few of you that keep touting add on gears, or Shimano 11…. you can still only get a 10T cog with SRAM.

Even if you get the 42 (which you don’t w/ Shimano), 11/42 = 380% range, 10/42 = 420% range.

As several people mentioned, its range that matters. If 420% is enough for you, 1x is fine. If you need more, you’ve got to go 2x or 3x.

Pichy
Pichy
9 years ago

Only one word: PINION

'Ol 'Shel
'Ol 'Shel
9 years ago

Sure will be curious to hear real-world feedback on how quickly the top aluminum cog wears for folks who do a lot of steep climbing.

k
k
9 years ago

I do tons of climbing. Mine is fine.

rgeniec
rgeniec
9 years ago

First off I am 47 and the worlds biggest whimp. I always go to the lowest gear and spin. I recently got XO 1×11 and could not be happier. Everything I had tried I have made easier than with a spinning gear. My heart rate stays much lower and my legs are getting much stronger. When I hit stuff in the 30-42 gear on my all-mountain 9er I carry more momentum on the section and make it EASIER. Even the steepest stuff seems easier. My only fear is long gradual fireroad climbs over 4 miles and steep kickers in a row. So far so good. I have ridden 90% of my normal trails and no issues. Do a challenging ride in your middle ring to see what I mean and you will surprise yourself. I would spin, lose traction and have my heart rate at 180 before I changed the gearing.

Rob
Rob
8 years ago

With the S1400, couldn’t you do even a 28 or 26 tooth ring if you went direct mount?

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