First ride impression of the SRAM EX1 E-MTB groupset - less is more.

SRAM recently presented the first component group developed purely for E-MTBs. We were able to put the shifting and braking unit to the test on a ride. With fewer gears and a more powerful braking unit, it should meet the requirements of an E-MTB groupset exactly.

E-mountainbikes have always been supplied with conventional mountain bike components until now. However, it is well known that an E-MTB weighs quite a bit - and not just the pedelec riders, as critics claim. With a bike weight of over 20 kilograms, the brake unit in particular has to do a trustworthy job - but it is not uncommon for the brakes on these heavy bikes to be too weak. Another well-known problem is the wear and tear of the shifting unit - the cassette and chain in particular are put to the test under extreme stress. "Tooth failure" and torn chains under the E-Power load are often the result. The new SRAM EX1 groupset is said to be the first groupset designed purely for E-MTBs - but can it meet the requirements?

Brake unit from the downhill segment

When it comes to the brake unit, SRAM uses a brake unit familiar from the downhill segment. The four-piston Guide RX brake unit is put under a lot of strain on our tour. The wet and extremely slippery surface demanded a fine adjustment of the brake center. The brake responds extremely finely and can easily manage a total weight of over a hundred kilograms. Even abrupt braking maneuvers are performed with ease and to the point - thanks to the powerful braking force that we already know from the gravity version "Code".

Shift unit - less should be more

The new EX1 groupset only has eight gears - too few for balanced trail fun? However, the eight sprockets with 11, 13, 15, 18, 24, 32, 40 and 48 teeth have enough range for an E-MTB. Thanks to the Bosch software, which has been adapted via a software update, the motor responds very finely to gear changes. There is hardly any noticeable jerking when the motor engages - the range of the eight gears is completely sufficient. There is a further reduction when changing gears. With the EX1 groupset, only one gear can be changed per shifting movement. A solution that makes sense given the immense forces and does not have a restrictive effect on the trail. Thanks to the new cassette, gear changes are extremely smooth and direct. Thanks to the hard steel construction of the E-Block cassette, wear should be less, as with the slightly thicker chain.

Conclusion

SRAM has given serious thought to the use of a special component group for E-MTBs and has done its homework very well. It remains to be hoped that E-MTBs delivered in the future will also be equipped with the appropriate and adapted components. The additional weight and the reduced number of gears are not noticeable - but the increased braking power definitely is.

Report on the EX groupset