Are wireless bike parts ACTUALLY worth it? (GX AXS Review)
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2022
- The SRAM GX AXS review. Cool idea, but NOT worth it in Ryan's opinion. Here's why...
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I’m the opposite. I love mine! It’s fast, it’s easy to setup, it’s smooth shifting, way better to adjust on the fly… so many great things about it!
same here. you set it up once, ride forever. some adjustments might be advised after "break in" period, but for now I'm loving every minute of using my GX AXS.
I love mine as well, second bike with it, first was GX, my current is X01 (just found a good deal), both are great, never have to worry about cabling, instant shift with minimal effort and my cockpit looks really clean.
AXS changed my life, shifting underload is great, microadjust, easy install, so durable, and no cockpit clutter! Love mine
You probably shouldn't be shifting under load in most situations anyway since it will often damage the drivetrain
@@haydeninch If you're not smashing through gears under load then you're not pedaling hard enough XD
@@TheyForcedMyHandLE Yep sure we'll go with that then. Sorry for the misinformation XD
I think this is a fair review, but I have the almost opposite experience. I have found the clutch to be stronger than my mechanical GX setup. I ride in pretty rocky AZ terrain. The fact that the mech will move out of the way when hit and move back is also a feature that I've unfortunately used. The cost is an issue, but not having to worry about cable tension and replacing the cable after a season is worth it to me, but maybe I'm rich ;) . I'm a big guy, I run DH casing tires on my enduro rig, I'm not worried about the weight. I've been running the GX AXS for just over a year on my two main bikes and I have to say I never worry about it. The charge last so long and only once have I ran out of battery or forgot the battery, but I've also driven to the trailhead without my helmet before so maybe that is me lol. Anyways, I always recommend the AXS to everyone, I love it and just added one to my wife's bike. To each their own and whatever gear gets you on teh trail and having fun is the right gear!
Everything he says I find are completely wrong, I think these people make controversial vids for the views and extra cash in his pocket
@@philwebb606Completely agree that he's mega biased.
He noticed the difference in weight, but not the crisp and super fast shifting. Spelling biased all the way.😅😅
I know this is a year old comment, but I'm thinking of building a bike, will be earning for it over the next several months or so. Is it worth it to save up for an additional few months to get one? I ride in pretty rocky Utah terrain, if that changes anything.
@@randomradon worth it? yes but not a necessity. You can always add one later.
Seems to me lot of cons are just added, just so the list is long. I don't like the mechanical GX Eagle. It shifts good for maybe 10-20 rides and then have to adjust it, after a bit it needs to be set-up completely, I end up riding with shitty shifting setup for a while before I get it to my shop. Yea I don't take care of my bike too good, it is meant to be ridden, not pampered and barely find time to wash it here and there. This would be perfect, if it ends up shifting crisp for a long time. As far as cost, I can get the GX AXS upgrade kit for 380 euros, which is pretty comparable to mechanical GX setup i would think, so it is not that expensive anymore. Shifter can get for under 90 euros I think, so it just got lot cheaper then year ago. The chain slap, there is a fix to it on the web, so I guess it is worth it then?
@the loam ranger..every time i hit jumps im saying in my head.."stand up to the jump,stand up to the jump"" lmao..thanks ..but the advice is fantastic
Been running the AXS on my Wreckoning for the last 9 months. Love it. Super precise shifting all day, every day. Battery lasts a long time (Never ran out on a ride). So easy to set up for super fast multi gear shifts and no messing with a cable when they stretch or get jacked in a wreck. I also run XT on my Spectral and X01 before it. Standard shifting with those two is still excellent, just not quite as good as my experience with AXS. But after everything is said and done , the price increase from even GX AXS to a standard XT or even GX setup....is it worth it? For a majority of people I'd agree that answer is a no as $600 is a LOT and buys several XT Derailleur's.
Well said ... Whether it's worth it or not is up to the individual. I think we all know it's not gonna make you a better rider, and it's not some groundbreaking, must-have component that's revolutionizing the industry ... But it's a neat little gadget for someone with a little extra cash, who wants something new and cool to experience. For the majority of people, that's not worth $600+ and it's hard to justify. Dude went out of his way to hate on it though, and had his mind made up before he even tested it. I mean, an app that everyone who buys AXS knows about and takes literally 90 seconds to set up, and using an e13 cassette cause it's "cheaper" isn't a good way to get the proper experience that SRAM intended.
I agree here. Have some bikes with manual drivetrain and some with axs. The axs works great and is hassle free. The battery lasts forever. The shifter battery lasts like 2 years. I have never used the red covers and you could totally go for 3 day trip on a single charged battery.
Is it worth the price delta? Maybe. It depends on how much that price delta impacts your finances. Initial setup is so much faster and easier. That may add enough value to justify it.
I clicked this purely because of the absolute lack of clickbait in the thumbnail. Providing the answer in the thumbnail, mad respect.
I would add one more positive aspect: cleaning. I take my chain off and remove the derailleur and wash it in the sink. When I’m done I bolt it back on and there’s no fiddling with setting a cable and indexing. It picks up right where it left off.
And you replace the master link each time?
@@udontseemebutiseeyou no. I use the same link over and over. Never has a problem
@@DanielDyla is it really worth the risk
@@Unkn0wnRxbxl risk of what? That the link might break? I’ve always reused links and it’s never happened. I also carry a spare.
@@DanielDyla its more of a piece of mind that theres less of a chance that the chain will snap and its inexpensive to buy new master links
I have been running AXS since it came out and have it on 3 different bikes, and I can honestly say the shifting is slightly better than mechanical when it's brand new with a fresh cable and easy pedaling, where AXS really shines ahead is over time and under load. Over time, it stays the same and the shift quality doesn't degrade like mechanical, where depending on your bike and its routing you have to go through the not big deal, to complete nightmare of replacing the cable and housing. I will also say that I have seen some issues with AXS shifting quality and non SRAM cassettes so that ethirteen cassette may be some issue. Also, the cost argument is a bit hard to accept with a set of $500 5Dev cranks on the bike. They are fantastic, and I have a set on my bike, but if we are talking bang for the buck, cranks are probably the worst place to spend your money.
😂😂😂 you are the first one that mention the 5Dev cranks! I noticed that straight away when the video started. Definitely the worst place to spend good money 😏
@@andrewlounsberry2371 I have them on one of my bikes they are fantastic really well-made cranks but yeah I would upgrade everything else on my bike first unless your bike came with the wrong length cranks.
Couldn’t have said it better myself (and I even tried).
Totally agree. The benefit comes over time. 2 years, not one single mis-shift or derailleur adjustment. No, it does not toast my bagel or make me a latte in the morning, it just shifts my gears. His arguments against are pretty weak. I don’t think this review will age well… sounds like the guys arguing against 29” wheels and dropper posts.
@@donharder.45 Yep, and I see a lot, I'm the head mechanic at a bike shop, and the amount of shifting issues I see on a weekly basis from cable issue or bent derailleur hangers, or to be honest people just not pushing the lever far enough. In 4 bikes and around 4 years of use I have never had to straighten my hanger, I have checked it plenty just as a matter of fact, but it has never been out, it has never failed to shift, so I guess you have to personally put a value on that, and for me, it's well worth it. I also hate cable clutter, which is why I have the AXS dropper on all my bikes as well.
I couldn’t agree less. I upgraded to the GX AXS first on my own bike and now have it on two more in the family. I can agree that the shifter takes some time getting used to, but when it shifts perfectly every time you don’t need the feedback. Getting rid of wires that stretch or don’t run smoothly has made me spend way less time on tuning my gears, now I set it up once and it works perfectly both with SRAM and Shimano cassette, so there is really no need for micro adjust on every gear, that would just complicate things. The micro adjust also works very well with the shifter, just push pairing button and shift in direction you need to adjust, very precise and quick. I also find it one of the most robust gears I have ever tried, I have bashed it into rocks a couple of times and it’s full of scratches, but after aligning the hanger again it still shifts perfectly. As for the app, unless you are 80 years old that is really not an issue 😉 In Europe I get this for about half of what you are saying, so it is really not that expensive looking at all the other stuff we bikers spend money on. So I would argue that your review is terribly biased by personal preferences, this is a really god product for those who like hassle free gearing every day and a clean setup, it just takes a few rides to get used to.
My AXS X01 is the best shifting experience I've had. Great, consistent, shifts over time and with dirtier chains. I don't think using a non-SRAM Eagle cassette is the right way to review the system. My take is that a well adjusted cable derailleur and the AXS equivalent shift about the same for a couple of rides, but then the cable setup's shift quality just starts to degrade until you are forced to tweak it. The AXS version is just perfect until you wreck and bend the derailleur bracket. I also doubt there is much of an overall weight penalty, once the shifter and cable are accounted for. That being said, if you have to really cut corners somewhere else to afford, go cable (XO1). If you can upgrade to AXS with just a little extra penny pinching, I think you should do it, but plan on buying an extra battery just to be safe.
Ranger, keep making great videos. I really enjoy them. Your how-to's provide a nice, new perspective. I really enjoyed the cornering and jumping videos. You should try and review the ShockWiz shock/fork setup tool. That thing has been super helpful for me, but I don't see much mention of it online. I think most average riders would really benefit from it.
Yeah he lost me when he said he was using an e13 cassette cause it's cheap. Not the best way to review a premium product IMO. Then he mentioned having to use the app, which I'm pretty sure every person buying AXS anything realizes. It literally takes 2 minutes and you never have to do it again. TBH seems like he had his mind made up before he even tested it and was going out of his way to look for reasons to hate on it.
Is it necessary? Absolutely not. Will it make you a better rider? No chance ... But it's a cool gadget for people that have a little extra cash to burn and want to experience something cool and different. Certainly not for everyone, myself included, but there's no reason to hate on it or say it doesn't work, when you're not even using a matching cassette.
@@topspot4834 Do you not think a 'premium product' like this should include individual gear indexing though? I think it's a valid point to bring up especially if you're only purchasing the upgrade kit for your current non SRAM 1x which saves you around £300.
Actually, I happened to notice you spent the best part of a day replying to all the comments you agree with instead of trying to have a different perspective on the comments made in the video. Which is ironic given your complaints are that the video was biased. Not the sharpest tool eh ;)
@@topspot4834 yep the cassettes is the heart of the drivetrain. You’re never getting premium performance from a cheap e13 cassettes. Talk about pissing in the punch.
Respectfully disagree with you and everyone else for axs. There are more parts that are worth buying to upgrade a bike. A shifter and derailleur is a great upgrade, but not if it's more of a hassle to use. If I'm going out riding trails, I just want to go. I don't want to worry if my derailleur and shifter Is charged just so I can use my bike. It's a hobby and it's not like I'm using it as an everyday commuter. I've also never had issues with a cable actuated system which works fine and is simple to dial in. If I break my derailleur, I can sleep at night. I break my axs and I'm losing it. Mountain bikes are already expensive toys and if I want electric, I want an e-bike. Atleast that has a benefit.
I bought my dream bike a couple of years ago thinking the high end derailleur would be super smooth as most reviews had claimed. Unfortunately this was short-lived and suddenly my rides which I thought would be enjoyable, became more frustrating due to regular cable tension issues which required me to adust the barrel adjusters every three or so laps (approximately 20km of riding). I endured this for a year and a half with time and effort troubleshooting (which I'm thankful for as it taught me some maintenance skills) as well as have had three different LBS try and resolve the issue. I lost some motivation to ride as I did not look forward to having to muck around with my rear derailleur. every time I took my bike out. My dream bike at that. Finally, I purchased a SRAM AXS X01 and the difference is night and day. 200% worth it. If you can afford it, yes, go for it. One less moving part that requires replacing, consistent shifting EACH AND EVERY TIME, and a cleaner cockpit. Having an en enjoyable ride each and every time, where I worry less about stretching cables, and spend time having fun outdoors and appreciating being out in nature, is worth it. Note: I am using a SRAM X01 AXS with a Shimano XT 12sp cassette. Works beautifully and shifts consistently each and every time.
So if my cable shifting works fine I dont need wireless.....
@@johndef5075 Yeap. Don’t get it. Why would you need to change something that works perfectly fine? I had an entry level bike that had much less shorter travel than my current bike. Only needed to re-tune derailleur after few hundred kilometres, which to me is perfectly acceptable and that was with an NX.
Counterpoint: I adjusted my SRAM XX1 cable setup zero times in four years and it never, ever, misses shifts. The barrel adjusters don't move by themselves. Your housing was split, the ferrules weren't seated, the cable wasn't securely fastened at the derailleur, the shifter was garbage (any grip-shift variant), or there was some problem with the derailleur (bushing play) or hanger (loose or bent) unrelated to cable tension.
@@alexdi1367 thanks. I had three unique LBS troubleshoot my issue. I had cable management rerouted twice. I had the derailleur replaced three times. And I had the entire cabling replaced, inside and out. Derailleur hangers aren’t the cause of constant cable tension issues. But, I replaced it anyway. Making sure I also bought a hanger alignment tool. If at one point your shifting is perfect and after a days ride you need to adjust your barrel adjuster, while not having any crashes or your derailleur being hit in anyway, a brand new derailleur hanger isn’t going to be the cause of the issue.
since you use Shimano cassete, did you need micro adjustment on the first time? is it 10-50T ?
Really enjoy the honest, no bull, reviews. It's nice to hear from a rider that you don't need the latest, most expensive, toy to ride and have fun. I'm looking forward to your next video!
I thought that the weak clutch was a problem in my unit but I see that it is "normal". I agree that u can spend that money on other parts or lessons but it's cool though. I use mine with an NX cassette that comes with my status 2022 and it runs smoothly and really love it.
I had the first generation GX Eagle, and it was such a complete disappointment. Sram 1x11 was so solid, so I was disappointed with the finicky setup of Eagle. I never felt like I got it quite right, and then it was always drifting on me; every couple of weeks, I'd have to reindex it. It was super particular about hanger alignment as well.
When I moved to GX AXS, all of that went away. It took ten minutes to install and setup, and everything just worked. I have small hands--the dump lever has always been a big throw for me--so this solved the hand/wrist fatigue from long days in the saddle. I thought that not having the feel of cable tension in the shifter would mess with my shifting, but I got used to it really quick. The battery also lasts forever. But what if it dies? Yeah, well what if you break a shift cable? I roll with a spare battery the same way I used to roll with a spare cable. Aftermarket cassettes that change the spacing between cogs don't work well with cable actuated system, either; you just get used to overshifting slightly on downshifts to compensate.
I've been completely happy with it. My experience could not be any different than yours.
Sounds like you went into it with an open mind. I'm a fan and love the channel, but he lost me on this one when he complained about an app that takes 90 seconds to install (if that). Then he's using an e13 cassette cause it's "cheaper" which doesn't give you the experience SRAM intended. Keep in mind, he's doing this with a straight face, while literally eye level with his $500 crank 🤣😂 ... Already had an ax to grind before the video started and it's obvious, so on this one it's tough to take anything he said seriously. Not for everyone, and nobody is claiming it'll make you a better rider, but it's a cool gadget for someone that wants a different experience, and has a little extra pocket change.
@@topspot4834 I have one bike with a SRAM cassette, and another with a Gabaruk. The SRAM cassette definitely shifts better, but it's not like the Gabaruk shifts poorly.
The preview photo and title make this more CZcams clickbait. He's just trolling for likes.
The idea that even when you run out of battery on the trail, and just choose the right gear( somewhere in the middle) you are still okay. If brake cable , you most likely just ride downhill for rest of day with no pedalling .
Darn, I really appreciated that breakdown, and it feels right inline with how I figured I'd feel - mostly bummed to hear that you can't do micro-adjustments between cogs! Thanks for that review :)
100% best upgrade I've ever done. I ride where the trails are very undulating, no downhill, lots of pedaling and shifting.
I got the GX AXS upgrade kit a month ago as a 40th birthday present. I love it. When my freehub grenaded on my bike, I switched my wheel from my other bike that had an I9 Hydra hub paired with Shimano cassette. Oddly enough, It worked better than with my GX cassette.
Thank you for keeping it real Ryan! It's honest reviews and straight talk like this that keep me coming back. Keep up the great work.
Yeah I couldn't disagree with Ryan any more on this one, and it seems like he had an ax to grind and had his mind made up before even trying ... BUT I respect the honest opinion and it's always nice to hear different perspectives. Bit much though when Ryan complained about an app that takes a minute to setup, and didn't even use a compatible cassette.
I’ve had the GX AXS for 12 months now on the Fuel EX8. The system has worked flawlessly and the micro adjustment feature is really handy when out on the trail. My experience is very positive with the upgrade.
I agree that micro adjust is great on GX, but TBH, the barrel adjuster on a cable shifter does the same thing. I've adjusted both AXS and cable shifting while pedaling down the trail. Both work well.
I would encourage you to put a SRAM cassette on to see if there is an immediate difference.
I’ve been running AXS since they released it and it sounds like you got a lemon 🍋.
I have run e thirteen before and I was very happy with how it worked with my XO1 derailleur, I also found the cassette really wore faster than Sram or Shimano.
All this is pointing towards your cassette.
Little typo in the title, I think you meant “parts” instead of “parks”. Otherwise great video! 🤙🏼
Ya. I was like wireless bike parks???
I prefer wired bike parks because you don't have to pedal uphill, but it comes at a cost.
I've been running a GX AXS on my Spectal 29 CF9. It was specd on the bike, I didn't think much of it, nor was it the selling point of the bike for me - but simply put its a *really* nice to have. I like not having to worry about cable tension, the shifts are very smooth and I like only having to press a button as opposed to pushing through the shifter. If you have the cash, you'll love it. If you don't have the cash, you don't need it!
I had electronic shifting on a cyclocross race bike. My experience with similar to yours. One morning I was about to head out to an event and the battery was dead, as in it would not charge. Shimano replaced it, but no bike event that day. I find mechanical shifting more reliable.
I agree, the price is ridiculous however my experience with using it is quite different and that may be the difference in the cassette. I am also running XO1 which may be different as well. For over a year now my shifting has been spot on, and unlike your experience with the lever, I love love love the button. I hate the stupid levers and in some cases failed to get a shift in, either from stretch or because my finger slipped off when trying to push it far enough to do multiple shifts at once. With the button, no problem, and it's much lighter on my thumb, which is important for older riders with wrist tendonitis! For me it's super intuitive, very easy to program and everything is app driven these days and requires accounts be setup so very natural there as well. I find that I am much more easily able to get into the gear I want and know where I am in the cassette while I am riding. One of the best things, on my Wahoo roam is that I have it connected to AXS and can see what gear I am in on my head unit! I do agree though my bike is noisier because of that weak clutch and the cost still needs to keep coming down, but I couldn't recommend it more if you can swing the price tag.
Worrying about 60g on a mountain bike is ridiculous IMO.. given that most riders with DD casing or Downhill casing tyres could easily get away with stepping down a casing weight. Not only is it unsprung but it's also rotational.
I've had GX AXS for about 10 months and I love it. Battery lasts for a long time. At first I was super paranoid about a dead battery but I've gone more than a month with riding 4-6 days per week and no issues. I do pull the battery when transporting to ensure that servo motors aren't going on during bumps etc. as some have reported. As some others have stated, what is nice for me is the consistency of the shifting over time vs having to readjust cable tension on a mechanical system. Also, in my experience it takes a whole lot of abuse. I've smacked it into rocks and it just keeps ticking. I haven't really noticed the weak clutch so much. It is worth it to me but probably not worth it to many others. Thanks for the review.
As a person who had an issue where the hang point was slightly bent once and two different shops adjusted and verified the hang point was as close to perfect as they could get... but no derailleurs I bought would stay aligned for more than 2 rides no matter the break in period. I finally realized I had spent almost $450 on progressively "better" derailleurs with no change in longevity and said oh well and threw down the money for the AXS system. Never have had to make an adjustment since and only had the battery die on me once because I did not charge it for 3 weeks. I find it to be the second best upgrade I have ever done after a dropper post (which was much cheaper).
I have an SRAM XX1 Derailure , and Dropper. It gets OTA Software updates just sitting the kit on your coffee table! Expensive? Yes it is....but cutting edge tech always costs more . It shifts EXACTLY where you ask it too. To ignore the benefits is simply ridiculous!
Great ‘honest’ vid! I do follow other mtb CZcams ers that use the system and I don’t recall hearing/seeing a focused review of it (maybe they’re sponsored). I am running a standard sram eagle drive train on my bike and I love it. I have considered the wireless system - for about 30 seconds, the cost settled that for me.
Thanks for the “intervention” 😂 I’m a tech geek and was fully targeting a GX AXS setup. Going wired GX route for now and go wireless with the eMTB later. Big fan of your channel! Keep up the sweet vids! 🤙🏽
Personally, I think the system is awesome. My Stumpjumper came with one and have since added to another bike. Yes it’s pricey but it works perfect every time. I’ve only been running this for 10 months but have ridden a lot of miles with zero issues. Cheers!
I just recently moved over to using the GX AXS and have really enjoyed it. One consideration I had for it was using it on my hard tail that I can convert to SS. Going electronic makes this a fairly easy switch and one I can easily knock out.
The only other question I had was regard to micro adjustments. I was under the impression that you could individually adjust each gear using the SRAM AXS App on my phone (iPhone for me). I have done it and at least it indicates you can make adjustments for each gear (24 per gear if I am not mistaken).
As to your overall assessment, I have to say I think your comments are fairly spot on, when the system is dialed in it can be hard to tell whether or not something actually happened back there, where as, on my analog equipped bike it is much easier. Overall, I like it and would get it again.
Good review, unbiased, but could not disagree more. I think when you are opening the door to electronic parts on your bike, you should be ready to some acceptable compromises (such as charger, keeping an eye on battery level) as long as it does not outweigh the benefits. And yes, it is expensive but it does shift so much better. One big plus is how consistent it shifts across the whole cassette, unlike my old GX. Super crisp, up or down shifting. And with time, it will become a cheaper piece of gear
No, you don't have to create an account to setup the GX AXS. There is the "off the grid" option. I've did everything like that.
Really appreciated the good, independent, honest review that really focus and explains in detail all the cons of the AXS system.
Honestly not having to adjust the barrel
Adjuster every damn ride to me is priceless! And not having to change the cable and casing 2 twice a year saves you money in the long run
I have been using the road etap since it came out in 2016 and the original x01 axs since it was released in 2019 and now I have had the gx axs on my long travel bike since last summer.
Along the way I have been using both mechanical GX and shimano 12-speed. The best shifting feel is definitely from the shimano 12-speed stuff, I just kept breaking the shifters. On my long travel bike I kept the shimano chain and cassette when I brought the GX axs and it is definitely the best configuration that I have tried for the axs, even with sram cassette the shifting going into a harder gear can be very abrupt.
However the shifting quality keeps very constant without the slow degrading of the shifting in a mechanical system (I don't change the cables and outers often enough).
Both the x01 and gx merch is definitely more tough than de hangers on my bikes I have had to swap a few but have had no damage to the merchs.
The battery in the shifter lasted me 3 years on the x01.
If anybody is interested in the AXS stuff definitely get the paddle shifter it is much better than the original rocker.
i recently changed back to XT after running GXAXS , i loved the quick and sharp shifting of the wireless but man the chain noise/slap was terriable compared to the xt.
To me this part saved my desire to ride. I had been having shifting issues on my bike for over a year and tried three different cassette and cable derailleur combos and was ready to quit. I put on AXS and I haven’t had a single issue in over six months. Only Had to charge the battery one time it lasts forever. This is the best money I spent on my bike
You're just a bad bike mechanic. Good luck with repair costs on your $600 derailleur (Jesus Christ)
I love mine. Run on a 2021 carbon Santa cruz chameleon and it's as smooth as butter. Never had a problem or issue.
It’s simple, the GX Axs is a no brainer ! Overall for the price , bang for buck superb. I understand your thought process regarding the sounds , the feeling of not changing like a regular gearing system, it takes time to master and fully enjoy the wireless experience !
The axs derailleur has another great function you missed, and that is bash protection. If you hit it, it actually MOVES and then moves back. Protecting itself. Less likely to damage it or bend/break a hanger.
Love my AXS GX. I also just ordered the AXS Reverb Dropper as well. Is it a must have, not really but being able to adjust your derailleur on the fly is awesome. I have had nothing but a positive experience so far. Just picked up a whole spare kit on black Friday deal for $409.
As someone whose job is to fish cables through the frames of FS bikes just about every day, I gotta say that wireless could be cheaper in the long run if you don't do your own mechanical work.
I’ve had GX AXS on my v3 5010 since they released it and have had zero issues. Shifts amazingly. Easy setup. Cool website that shows all the shifts and other data, etc. Only forgot to charge the battery once. I feel like the cons list is being over exaggerated a bit. 🤷🏻♂️
Totally, yes, even the pros seem like negatives! In fact it turned into an anti electronic shifting rant against other manufacturers too, but with SRAM taking the brunt of it. I was concerned about the system when it came as standard on my latest bike, but I can't really fault it. The changes under load are impressive should you need to, it just works as described. So many people are extolling the virtues of this system, its reliability and durability and I can see why. I'm an MTB guide on the beautiful island of Ibiza and I've put this system through hell. We have a particularly nasty sharp, abrasive microscopic limestone dust here which wrecks everything and gets in everywhere. The rear mech is holding up well without the regular adjustments that I have to do on our non electronic gear rental bikes. But I know this kind of prejudice, extra weight at the rear end!??? You're not comparing a mid engined sports car to a Porsche 911 for goodness sake. It's like saying that I'm going to remove my valve caps because it makes my wheels out of balance, or this bike with steel (v carbon) handlebars make my bike top heavy! But what do I know? As a long time bike mechanic I've only been mountain biking before the genre was invented, when we had to build our own-off road machines from scratch. If this system fails I think I'd just replace or repair it, in fact as I understand it, please correct me if I'm wrong, all the individual parts of the derailleur can be purchased individually.
Thanks for keeping it real! Wonder how the new Shimano wireless system will be compared to gx axs
Interesting that he's choosing GX level instead of Shimano SLX, which as a base level performs very well and is quite inexpensive.
@@rrolleman4879 there's an SLX trim level in Shimano's new wireless line? He has this review in the works for months... before Shimano announced their wireless shifting setup
@@jeffwertz8108 he said he uses GX cable version on all his family's bikes.
@r rolleman Oh I didn't realize you were meaning for cable. Maybe he just prefers SRAM
I completely disagree with "it's not worth it". Yes, he does make some good points, but I will NEVER go back to cable shifting. The ONLY exception is if I were to do a long ass point to point race over multiple WEEKS. (Rear der battery lasts 3 weeks riding 4x a week, 2-3 hrs/day, shifter battery lasts over a year).
I enjoyed your review but don't agree with the value for money. I did for more than a year struggle with the cable version of X01 (fully) and despite multiple visit on repair shops and replacement of cables, I did purchae the X01 AXS. I don't have any issue with shifting anymore and now on trails it's smoothless. Never been happier
If you would have went with shimano from the start you’d be without a problem
I currently run the gx axis on my bike I had it on my previous bike with a shimano SLX Cassette with no issues. I now run GX cassette on the new bike. I do agree with you on the cost and the feel of a regular drive train. But since I did pay so much for it I will continue to run it. But it also has some good qualities like you mentioned
I definitely agree!!! It’s a great system but there are so many parts on a bike that can be upgraded that actually make a big difference!! My favorite is a really good dropper post!! For starters:). Really good wheel set !! Tyres. I could keep going 😊. Good straight forward review 👍
I had my GX AXS for about a year. I loved the way it shifted with my XT cassette, it was nearly silent on about 70% of shifts. What made me finally sell it. It would ghost shift every trip to the bike park, and the bike park only. It would shift from gear 12 to hear 11 on its own. I'd land from a jump and not know how the pedals would feel. It was not user error. When connecting to my phone the derailleur would show to be in gear 12 and you could look down and see it was in gear 11. I would need to do and downshift and then another upshift to get it back to the proper location. This drove me mad at the bike park and was dangerous because I wouldn't always get the drive needed to clear the next jump. Now that I've gone back to full XT, I'm amazed at how quiet the bike is. The GX AXS clutch is too weak.
Possibly a bent Der Hanger? Or mis-adjusted B screw...??
@@Magoo71 Nope, tried everything, double checked everything. This happened on to different brand new bikes. SRAM also sent me a new derailleur which made no difference.
@@luckyguy19 Well there seems to be no explanation then? Mine is on a heavy eBike as well and the shifts are flawless....now I did have trouble with mine when I bent my Hanger, but a quick use of my alignment tool got everything back in order... Could it be a worn chain of cassette? I clean my bike after every ride, keep my transmission immaculate and well lubed. They sure as hell would not be popular with the Pros (Derailure and Dropper) if there were reliability or operation issues. The dropper works so smoothly and quickly it never fails to amaze me! My stuff is all XX1 but I doubt that makes any difference....
@@Magoo71 Like I said, two brand new bikes. One a week old with an X01 chain and cassette, and another one a couple weeks old with an XT chain and cassette. The exact same problem, and only at the bike park, never on the local trails. I think the Pros will be using an X01 derailleur and not a GX. I've noticed a huge reduction in chain slap since going back to the XT derailleur vs the GX AXS. Maybe there is higher clutch tension on the X01 vs the GX.
Dude, you're the best 😷.
I never had the urge to buy or invest in wireless shifting. And after seeing your vid and hearing your experience (from someone who just wants to get outside and ride), I'm more convinced now that I'll stick to cable actuated shifters and derailleurs.
I'm more of a Shimano boy but I've got nothing against Sram.
Keep up the vids dude and god bless 👍🏿
A couple of points to clarify around the micro adjustment. Yes I am not sure whether or not you can use with another cassette BUT Ryan must have done something wrong. Yes you use the second cog to calibrate the system but after that point all the other cogs move semi independently. I have used this to my advantage and it is for me the biggest selling point. You can tune every cog/ every single one of them to shift perfectly..... even in adverse conditions. So when riding and my derailleur hanger is bent. I normally kinda keep riding as normal because I am able to correct every gear independently. If it was one adjustment for all that would be impossible. In my opinion that is the value proposition. The money making feature is indeed micro adjust and truly independent micro adjustments and luckily AXS can do it.
Furthermore. Lets accept this is all anecdotal, but in my experience AXS has beating all my previous derailleurs life expectancy by a lot. I got it from brand new XX1 AXS in 2019. And it has survived the worst crashes none of my other derailleurs would have stand a chance, put it in a different way, I have had derailleurs that have died with much much less of an impact that what AXS has endured. From both SRAM and Shimano.
Lastly, that chain slap..... and lack of tension. I attribute this to poor installation. When I first got AXS, I have to admit... it was a rocky start it didnt blew me away right off the bat. It sucked balls! but then I realised what the problem was.... nobody knows how to setup AXS my bike shop was setting it up like it was any other eagle system it is not. It has its own way of measuring the chain length. and arm position. So in my opinion my experience with AXS only got decent or amazing to what it is right now. When I watched the SRAM videos and taught myself how to set and maintain the system. I am pretty certain there are a lot of mechanics with a lot of experience with them by now. So I wouldnt worry as much as I did when it first came out.
Lastly, I am sorry to hear you didn't have a good experience Ryan. But entertain the idea that If I was going to call my AXS adventure off one month in, I would have been profoundly disappointed and not by paying 800 for an upgrade kit but when I had to pay 2k for the full XX1 set in 2019. A big part of the value of AXS is in the longevity and reliability of the system.... again as you ride and perhaps your chain is loose or your derailleurs is slightly bent. You keep correcting it on the go, without stopping pedalling, right from the controller, before you know it. You realise you have gone three years without any missed shift from a derailleur. That for me to this date is still worth 2k or even more.
Yeah those issues you complain at the end. Are issues I really don't know existed and you made it sound like it was the end pf the world. The battery cover is an accessory. I have been running mine without from day one. I haven't ever needed it. Yes you need to charge the batteries. But also I never had to detach it unprotected for longer than 20 mins. On the one day I forgot to charge it in three years. I charge it 20 mins from the car and rode for another couple of months on that charge. Battery lasts between 3-6 months between charges. The shifter at 3 years is still using the original battery. Again more than any other drive train/shifter i have ever had. So yeah this shifter has never been damage through crashes like the other mechanicals I had did. Why? it has no levers no stick bits. It is solid.
I don't know what else to say..... I think you are sounding like an old man my dude. I cant go back to a mechanical derailleur and complain about the cables. like it is a moot point. I have to talk about what I gain/what I lose by having them. It is clear that you have made your mind around it and it is fine. But please entertain the idea, you had a bad experience, and not even, but that your perception is clearly biased. Also I am dead certain the same way..... it happened with Road bikes. Like it or not. In 5-10 years time all your MTB will be electronic. So hate it for what it isnt and love it for what it is,; hearing you complaining about non-issues at the end. Made me feel sad.
I think he's saying you should be able to program the position for each specific gear, which I've been saying would be cool, but it's just not a thing and seemingly never was? You're talking about micro adjusting on the fly, right? Can you confirm? If I'm right and this system does not offer it, my head scratching at his calling it out still stands. If it doesn't do what it doesn't do, why on earth would you call it out?
@@Chuckolicious yeah. The system can do that. It is the very purpose of the micro adjustments. Not only to happen on the fly while you ride. But also for them to be independent for each cog. So yeah he was wrong on that regard. That is totally doable. So you can get shifting 100% accurate and consistent regardless of the conditions, by adjusting every cog independently.
Having said that. There is a big caveat. First and second cog are kinda used for calibration so adjusting them resets the system. So I highly doubt it is possible to calibrate AXS to work with any other cassette. In that regards OP was right.
@@dan1one Really? That's rad if so. So in the app, you can tell it this is where it should be for, say, gear 3? Like I could go through each gear, have it perfect, then hit Set in the app after each one (or something similar)?
@@Chuckolicious nope. The app is not that sophisticated. All you can do from the app is read battery levels, set different modes for the shifter (multi shift), up-down vs down-up (shifting) for the rocker (lever).
Micro adjust work by correcting it during shifting or during setup from the controller. There is no UI for it. It just resets a baseline for the shifter against the cassette using the second gear ⚙️. After that point all the other cogs can be independently micro adjusted. But if you change number 2 everything shifts in relation to that one.
AXS was a game changer for me me. Mainly cuz the cable routing on the rear triangle on my 2013 Specialized Enduro got super warped I could never get it indexed for a whole ride. AXS solved that issue.
I have noticed indexing is super sensitive to B-screw adjustment.
I love the shifting speed. Correcting shifting errors (wrong gear) is super fast.
I have the GX AXS, and I have only experienced the one issue with the weaker clutch (it is definitely noisier)! The battery lasts around 21 hours of riding, and you get a warning when it gets low. Otherwise, I love it. It's very robust and if the derailleur gets hit, it auto collapses (which I think is a great feature). It's an easy set up, and once set up, that's it! Sure, it's expensive, but I'll take that for less maintenance and constant adjustments. The battery in the shifter lasts over a year and is super easy to change. I'm a convert. 🤙
Excellent video, I’ve toyed with this for months, you’re just confirmed and convinced me that it’s not for me. Cheers.
Gamechanger! I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and this helped me shift without pain. Perfect for people with disabilities. Love mine!
Wireless Shifting and Dropper are some of the greatest inventions for the Mt Bike. Or no....maybe I would like to hassle old cables and constant adjustment rather than a set and forget wireless solution!
Thanks for the info. I was ready to click order, but I was sceptical. Appreciate it!!
I was able to try an xx1 axs setup on a rental and there were a couple things I noticed. The shifting was much quicker in both directions than a cable, not sure why but it felt good. The other thing was it seemed to be more consistent in all the gears, on my bike with wired shifting, there are a couple gears near the middle of the cassette that hang up on single shifts. I never noticed that with the axs. Could be that my parts are starting to wear out or something but it is something I noticed, i've tried tuning it out but can't get it perfect. Lastly, is it true that axs you can dial in each gear perfectly for chain centering? Where as a wired shifter you really can only set the limit screws and try your best to make sure the chain is centered on one gear, but if anything is bent that means other gears arent as centered making the rest of your shifting not as consistent.
When Ive had similar shifting problems it has been slight derailleur hangar misalignment. The wireless must be able to compensate.
I was anti wireless for a long time, just like you. However, on my singlespeed setup, I run dt240 hubs, so with a spare hub body, I can switch back and forth between gears and SS in 10 minutes
Thank you TLR! Very good review! None of the cons come as surprise to me...Well maybe one....the clutch strength, I didn't see this one coming...🙏
Great video! - Good to know! I was curious about AXS. I suppose it's at the same level as EMTBS? I predict in time they'll get everything right!
Good to see some positive comments.
My experience was riding with a friend who forgot to grab his shifter battery and was stuck as a “single speed” for a very hilly ride. Fortunately for him, he was in an easier gear but it was still quite annoying.
I feel like batteries are just one more thing to fail out on the trail, but good to hear some folks having good experiences.
One of best MTB gear reviews I've seen!
I wonder if an Eagle cassette would have shifted (pun intended), your overall impression of the system
I like how you considered the added cost, and how it replaces other possible spendings, that have bigger impact (such as skill classes, etc)
It makes a massive difference my whole group set is sram and it flows better than water
In terms of heavier, are you counting the weight of cables and housing that you lose with AXS?
Nice video! I was in the doubts of buying one because of the hassle with cables and tension etc. ... But with this review I think I might wait a bit longer.
Side question: what is that crank you got there? Never seen it before.
The GX AXS upgrade kit is now $430 US. And the mechanical GX shifter and derailleur is around $140 US. Does that change your opinion? That seems like a much more reasonable upgrade. Thoughts?
I was wonder if the wireless shifting would help prolong the life of the cassette and chain, and you had a good comment on that, thank you for your thoughts.
I’ve been riding my gx axs for just a few months now and I love it! I think some of your worries or cons are more just in your head. But to each their own.
I think you totally nailed it with the lack of feedback in the shifting. That is the reason I went back to a cable derailleur. I think the lack of shifter feedback takes away from the riding experience. Love the videos man, keep em’ coming!
So you tried the GX AXS and went back to mechanical? I was considering changing my groupset to Sram GX or just getting the AXS upgrade kit with my SLX cassette.
@@rdelao I had XX1 AXS and didn’t love it. It looked amazing and worked perfectly but I just really prefer the feeling you get in your thumb with the mechanical shifter. If SRAM could put some kind of similar feedback in the remote I’d go back to AXS!
@@dcouture79 thanks for the response. I think I'm just going to stick with the gx groupset.
Agree with your assessment though, I am riding GX AXS as an experiment as well to see if I like it. So far it works well enough and just getting back from 3 weeks in BC and smashing it on rocks and tree stumps it held up well. I have finally gotten used to the shifter and the hold down to shift through the cassette came in handy at times though the lack of feedback still annoys me (with a cable I could tell by tension on the lever where I was in the cassette).
As I told my riding buddies, ask me again how much I like after I smash it against a rock and have to replace it.
Loved it, please continue with this kind of videos!
oh man this channel should definitely have more views... nice job bro... great content. this is by far THE best review out there. keep it up
This was the worst review I’ve seen. Bogus
@@deanemberley2333 @ least explain why...
I might not have said what he wanted to hear 🤷🏻♂️😬
@@arielmatheu2230 just go look at many of the positive comments and other owners like me who do like the system. I agree that it's not worth the cost. But he's complaining for the sake of complaining.
@@TheLoamRanger funny how you haven't responded to many of the others criticizing your review. I mean a few grams of extra weight and having to charge a Battery and Download an App. Oh the Horror in this day and age.
Thank you so much for this video! I had been thinking about getting the upgrade kit, but with having a Shimano cassette and not being able to micro adjust for each cog (as I thought you would be able to) and the lack of feel Im going to stick with the Deore thats on it and spend the money saved on beer and days riding and appreciating good old cables.
Get an XT or XTR shifter it can double shift to a harder gear and feels phenomenal
@@andrewsteavpack9079 Thats probably the only upgrade I will be considering.
Thanks for the honest opinion. I have been wondering if these systems are worth it and you did a great job answering this question of mine.
I have Shimano Ultegra Di2 on my Gravel/Cyclocross bike and absolutely love it, way different use case than MTB but having different programs on the L/R shifter for all up shifts on right and down on left is how I have mine setup on a 2x setup, if I had a cadence sensor I could do automatic shifting which I probably wouldn’t want unless on a pure road ride. The one part I totally agree with is the shifting feel, I have really mashed my gears a few times by shifting several gears with a bit too much pedal force or accidentally holding the shift too long and not pedaling fast enough.
I've had nothing but issues with the 12 speed cable derailleur. Constantly having to make adjustments is annoying. It goes out of whack for me after 3 or 4 rides. Hoping this fixes that.
How do you like that cascade link? Having one installed on my ripmo right now. I wanted a little more pop back after switching to a coil.
Thank you! I'm glad for the honesty
Great review. When you mention the e13 cassette needing micro-adjustments - would that not be a cassette problem? I would have thought the cog spacing would follow some sort of standard. It just seems silly to require some way for the derailleur to have adjustments for particular cogs. Perhaps that just shows my lack of knowledge for how the bike works.
Every bike I've ever indexed required a final 1/8 or 1/4 turn somewhere in the middle of the cassette to get it just perfect.
I was under the impression that this was done with the AXS app though??
It actually would be super cool. But it's not a thing, so his complaint about it is totally weird. He's unhappy because it doesn't do something it doesn't do. Does that make any sense at all? What made him think it did in the first place?
I don't fully understand what his complaint was, you can micro adjust by clicking the AXS button and the shifter paddle in the direction you want to adjust it towards. I have done it a couple times while riding, same as turning a barrel. I've never used one of those e13 cassettes but surely the spacing is consistent throughout the whole cassette.
@@crazyeyes7821 Pretty sure he's looking to map each gear specifically. I'm a bit OCD with my shifting too, and can say that my GX (cable) with E-13 cassette never gets perfect no mater how hard I fiddle. But then, I knew what I was getting into when I changed cassettes. So the ability to specifically map each gear would be rad. But again, doesn't do what it doesn't do, so why he's even mentioning it, I just don't know.
Strongly agree with the weaker clutch. I also have issues with my derailer seemingly moving when I land before moving back. It's like it can't support it's own weight in hard landings.
Excellent job. I have a dream build bike but do not use AXS because I don't like al of the excess needs (power, etc.). Your video even confirms my feelings.
Pretty much my experience with it as well. Its neat but I just want to hop on my bike and go with as short of a check list as possible.
I tried a wireless setup too and I was amped on it for about a month. Then slowly I started realizing all the cons and went back to cable shifting.
Not many cons
i think you're right on point and i totally agree with you. the money can be used in much better ways,like you said. i would constantly worry about damaging the system somehow. great video bro.
I LOVE mine! came on my new Stumpy EVO. The battery last crazy long, so long i'm not sure were it does go low our battery out. Im running Sram XX1 gold chain, XX1 crank set and Ethirteen rear cassette, shifts amazing. Been running this for 4-months now. I was a diehard cable only driven person, I like this new tech. Have fun ridding!
XX1 it shifts flawlessly, I feel you though have GX cable on two of my bikes. Zero complaints on those as well, I'm fortunate enough to be afford a splurge ( on at least one of my bikes 😅 ). I hear you 💯 though if your avoiding something to afford the splurge stick with what works and works well GX cable is awesome too.
I’m not sponsored by Sram and I’m not “rich” but I do have a XO1 kit that’s been banging around on the back of my bike for over a year now and personally I like it more than a cable derailleur. There are certainly cons like the provided shift paddle and the fact it doesn’t have a clutch and is noisy on rough trails. But to me the pros outweigh the cons. No cable routing, on the fly adjustment, and consistent precise shifting. I race often and ride all year and I’m not easy on my bike 😅 It’s taken a big beating and I’m honestly surprised that it still functions so flawlessly. My opinion.
Does your 60g weight difference also include cable & housing? Just curious.
I’m very happy with my X01 AXS. IMO shifting is better than with cable, but I’ll agree it doesn’t necessarily make the ride more enjoyable than a WELL TUNED mechanical system. Tuning the AXS is stupid simple, btw. I wonder if there is much difference (other than weight) between GX & X01.
When my drivetrain is shot on my B bike (which is still mechanical) I’m going to swap to GX AXS and be done with cable hassles.
That weight figure does include housing. I've heard that other than weight, the system feels exactly the same between XO1 and GX AXS, but haven't tried XO1 myself.
I agree. Shifting gears is such a small part of riding i can't see the value. A well maintained mechanical system gets the job done. I have written of a deraileur before when a stick went through my wheel. So glad it wasn't electronic
i am getting a yeti sb 130 and it comes with a regular gx i was going upgrade to whirles but not now thanks for the advice
I’ve been running AXS GX for about a year… I got it as I was already upgrading wheels, needed a new cassette and chain and wanted a cleaner cockpit… my experience is similar to yours in that I kind of miss the feedback from the cable-actuated shifter and the benefits don’t *really* outweigh the cost. However, I am running the GX cassette, and it shifts really smooth. The buttons are easy to use and I like the option to change their orientation and number of gears shifted per hold. Bottom line, it’s a bit like being a fan of Apple vs Android… Apple’s aesthetic and ease of use are worth it to some, and I’m one. However, If I got another bike, I’d be fine with high-end cable!
Just upgraded to the SRAM AXS system. Love it, for all the same reasons others have listed.
Is the lack of micro indexing for each and every gear only a GX limitation? I thought this was going to be the game changer to make it perfect? Do you have to step up to the XX01?
Really enjoyed this Video, thank you!
I love my GX AXS and I run it with shimano cassettes and chains. I have carpal tunnel and cable shifters would be useless to me after about an hour. With AXS I can ride all day. I think your looking for reasons not to like it.
Love that Canadian use of the word “unit”…giving off Red Green vibes!!
Definitely a nice to have (I have it). But then again, so much of what we buy for bikes are just nice-to-haves.