New XX groupset from Sram presented

Eagerly awaited, the new groupset is finally here - with the XX groupset, Sram is launching a complete package of Sram's four brands under one name for the first time. The new XX was initially designed for the cross-country sector, although expansion is likely to be only a matter of time.

The undisputed star of the groupset is the 10-speed "X-Dome" cassette. It weighs just 208 grams and is therefore 42 grams lighter than the XTR 9-speed cassette from Shimano. The cassette consists of a hollow steel body that has been CNC-machined. Only the largest sprocket with a choice of 34 or 36 teeth is made of aluminum. This makes the new, larger gear range and the low weight of the cassette possible.

The new XX crankset has a simple design and yet it contains a lot of new features. Inside is meant literally. The crank consists of an aluminum skeleton encased in carbon and filled with foam. The bottom bracket is available in Sram's own GXP standard and in BB30 standard for conventional threaded bottom bracket housings as well as a press-fit version for integrated bearings. At the front, only two chainrings are used, which are available in versions with 26/39, 28/42 or 30/45 teeth. The complete set in the BB30 version weighs just 649 grams.

Well copied and further developed

The new XX shifters for 2 x 10 gears are based on the same trigger system as the X.0 . However, they are more compact and made of carbon. This makes the XX levers 40 grams lighter than those of the XTR groupset. The new XX rear derailleur contains parts of the familiar X.0 rear derailleur, but has been heavily reworked with carbon and magnesium parts, resulting in a weight of just 181 grams. Sram is also presenting its first high-end mountain bike front derailleur with the new groupset. At 118 grams, it is 36 grams lighter than the previous top model, the X-9 front derailleur. The front derailleur can not only be mounted classically with a clamp in various versions, but also directly with bolts in four different standards on the frame.

Lighter brother

The new Avid XX disc brakes are very similar to the Elixir. The cylinder housing consists of two forged magnesium parts. The disc is now in two parts and is mounted on the hub with the Centerlock mount. The disc sizes range from 140 to 180 millimeters. Equipped with a 160 millimeter disc, the set weighs only 288 grams. As with the Elixir, the pressure point can be adjusted without tools.

Sram offers the Sid, Reba and Revelation forks in an XX version. All forks can be operated via a specially developed hydraulic remote lever. This is connected to the brake lever on the handlebars to save space and works in a similar way to a ballpoint pen.With the new XX groupset, Sram has landed a good hit. Well thought out and beautifully implemented. Only the price puts the euphoria about the new XX groupset into perspective. If you take the already published dollar prices as a yardstick, it will be an expensive story. And yet, Shimano is challenged.

Component weights

Cassette 11-32 - 185 grams
Cassette 11-36 - 208 grams
Crank unit 39/26 GXP, 730 grams
Crank unit 42/28 GXP, 754 grams
Crank unit 44/30 GXP, 779 grams
Crank unit 39/26 BB30, 670 grams
Crank unit 42/28 BB30, 694 grams
Crank unit 44/30 BB30, 734 grams
Chain - 260 grams
Shift lever - 183 grams
Rear derailleur - 181 grams
Front derailleur; low mount - 118 grams
Front derailleur; high mount, 120 grams
Complete groupset. - 1597 grams
Brake system (PostMount + adapter, 160mm discs) - 613 grams
Complete weight (PressFit 30) 2210 grams

From now on, official pictures and details of the XX groupset can also be found on the Sram homepage. There are also some exciting insights into the development history of the groupset

www.sram.com/en/XX