When SRAM originally launched its XX1 drivetrain four years ago, the Chicago-based company spent a lot of time explaining how the technology had the potential to revolutionize the modern mountain bike. Most of the conversation centered around how eliminating the front derailleur would allow frame designers to shorten chainstays and increase tire clearance. But part of the discussion was also on how the drivetrain could help reduce the learning curve for novice riders.

But a full XX1 drivetrain retailed for over $1,500 dollars, and with no other competitors, prices remained high for another two years until SRAM released a sub $1000 X1 groupset.

Since 2012, the SRAM family of 1x drivetrains has expanded to four different price points, with the cheapest option retailing for around $500. That was until this week, when it launched its new NX drivetrain, which will set you back just over $300 for a complete drivetrain. The main difference between this new groupset and the upper tier versions is largely in material. To help reduce cost, steel was used rather than aluminum, or aluminum versus titanium, and so on. This, claims SRAM, means users will get the same experience without sacrificing the functionality or durability of the original technology.

A 1x NX drivetrain retails for around hundred fifty dollars less than a GX and weights about a half pound more (largely due to the regular spline drive cassette).

A 1x NX drivetrain retails for roughly $159 less than a GX and weighs only a half pound more largely due to the regular spline drive cassette (click to enlarge).​

At that price, you can expect to see this drivetrain ship as OEM spec on sub $1,000 hardtails, although most product managers will find a mix of SRAM GX and NX components to be the sweet spot on entry level full suspension mountain bikes. If you really wanted to compare NX to another drivetrain in SRAM's portfolio, you could think of it as the X5 version, or in some cases X7 version of their 1x groupset. Their marginally more expensive GX drivetrain would probably be best compared directly to something like Shimano's XT group.

The NX trigger shifter retails for $27, while the gripshift version costs $33.

The NX trigger shifter retails for $27, while the gripshift version will cost $33 (click to enlarge).​

The shifters will be available in either trigger or grip shift format. The trigger shifter offers a maximum of five upshifts, weighs 142 grams and will retail for $27. We don't have a listed weight for the grip shifter but retail price will be $33.

Continue to page 2 for more on the new SRAM NX drivetrain »

At launch, the aftermarket version of the NX crank will only ship with a 94 BCD, while the OEM spec will take DM chainrings as low as 26T.

At launch, the aftermarket version of the NX crank will only ship with a 94 BCD, while the OEM spec will take DM chainrings as low as 26t (click to enlarge).​

The NX crankset has arms manufactured from 6000 series aluminum and is available with either a 24mm or 30mm bottom bracket spindle. Compatibility includes a mind numbing array of acronym laden standards, including: BB30/PF30-68/73mm, GXP 100mm/ PF GXP 121mm, and GXP PF GXP 68/ 73mm.

It uses either 94 BCD or direct mount chainrings and is compatible with 28,30, 32, 34, 38, and 40t chainrings. The crank arms will be available in 155mm, 165mm, 170mm, and 175mm versions. Depending on your configuration, SRAM's claimed weight for the $116 crankset is 680-780 grams.

This NX cassette has an 11-13-15-17-19-22-25-28-32-36-42 and is fully compatible with all SRAM 1x drivetrains.

This NX cassette has an 11-13-15-17-19-22-25-28-32-36-42 and is fully compatible with all SRAM 1x drivetrains (click to enlarge).​

The NX has an 11-speed cassette, but in a move that was largely motivated by price, it does not have a 10t like the other 1x specific groupsets in SRAM's catalog. By making the smallest cog an 11t, the cassette is compatible with standard freehub bodies, which should keep OEM prices for complete bikes static.

At $79 retail, it costs less than an entree at a Michelin star restaurant, but at 538 grams, it also weighs more than a healthy serving of steak. For reference, the SRAM GX cassette (which has a 10t and utilizes an XD driver body) weighs 394 grams and retails for $144.

According to SRAM, the NX and GX cassettes utilize the exact same materials, pinning process, and manufacturing technologies. The differences in price and weight are due to the switch from XD driver to traditional spline drive. The XD driver technology reduces weight substantially, but is more expensive to manufacture. Since SRAM has been manufacturing spline drive cassettes for years, they were able to exploit that expertise to reduce price. While we'd would rather spend a little bit more to have a wider gear range and shave a half pound, the NX cassette will give cost conscious consumers and product managers yet another option.

At only $14, the NX Chain is only a few grams heavier than its more expensive counterparts.

At $14, the NX Chain is only a few grams heavier than its more expensive counterparts (click to enlarge).​

The last component in the new NX groupset is the PC-1110 chain, which has solid pins, a chrome hardening pin treatment, and weighs between 232-273 grams. Like the NX cassette, it is compatible with all SRAM 1x drivetrains. Retail price is $14.



At first glance the price sheet of this new drivetrain could be mistaken for wholesale pricing. In an era where headlines are dominated by $10,000 bikes, it's refreshing to see a company produce components that the majority of us can actually afford. If I were to build a new bike on a tight budget, I would highly consider mixing an NX drivetrain, with a SRAM GX crankset and cassette. Using the GX cranks would allow use of a smaller chainring than the aftermarket only 94 BCD NX Cranks, while the GX Cassette would help shave weight and offer improved gearing.

For more information visit www.sram.com.