Subscribe
Subscribe 
Follow 
Like
Submit
Subscribe
Loading ...
SRAM XX – 10 Speed 2×10 MTB Component Group
It’s official. SRAM launched their new 2×10 mountain bike component group named SRAM XX. This 10 speed mountain bike group is targeted towards the racing elite as they continue the quest for that top podium spot. With the release of this compoent group from SRAM, the question remains…
Is there room in the mountain biking industry for a 10 speed setup?
We have already seen a move to 10 speed in the road biking world. Some would argue that 10 speed component groups, even in road biking, is un-needed. How many gears do you actually need? When you introduce an additional gear on the cassette of a bike, you have to space the cogs closer together and use a thinner chain to fit everything in a tight space. The nay-sayers are going to tell you that this creates an unsavory situation that will cause more mis-shifts and component issues as there is less room for mud and road dirt and less give room for adjustment issues.
SRAM XX 10 Speed Component Group
Besides the fact that SRAM XX is a 2×10 setup, it does introduce some advancements in mountain biking technology that are worth taking a look over.
Significant Weight Savings
Since this specific component group is aimed at hardcore xc racers, it has to be as light as possible. SRAM significantly lighten the entire group by using several different materials…titanium, magnesium, carbon, etc. If these components still carry the same SRAM durability, that would make for a huge advancement in weight saving technology.
Hydraulic Fork Lockout
The new SRAM XX forks (SID, Reba and Revelation) use a new hydraulically driven fork lockout mechanism called Xloc. The Xloc is 60 grams lighter than the Pushloc/Blackbox lockout control and is completely sealed (for obvious reasons). A simple push on/push off function controls all of your compression lockout functions.
Exact Actuation Trigger Shifters and Derailleurs
From sram.com
Precision equals consistency equals victory. XX uses the Exact Actuation shifting technology developed for SRAM road to help give you the ultimate MTB shifting experience. Exact Actuation delivers an identical 3mm adjustment between each gear on the cassette, replacing the typical slop found between gears with a crisp, clean, and immediate shift. This consistent, precise adjustment means smoother, faster, and better shifting with no variation in pull effort from gear to gear.
Press Fit Bottom Bracket
Again…from sram.com
All new Truvativ PressFit 30 debuts with XX. The XX philosophy comes to life again— everything you need, nothing you don’t. Light and strong. Our all-new PressFit 30 provides big weight savings,a narrower Q factor, and more ankle clearance in an easy-to-install, durable little black package. PressFit 30 features an integrated gutter seal underneath an aluminum-bearing shield to dramatically prolong ceramic bearing life.
Thoughts from 198 on SRAM XX 10 Speed Component Group
So what do I think about the new SRAM XX component group? It’s cool to look at. Much like the new Shimano Dura Ace Di2 electronic shifting, this is one of those component groups that is aimed at a very specific kind of rider…a pure xc racer or a rider with too much money on their hands that has to have the latest and greatest.
The SRAM XX is a proprietary system that brings 10 speed components to the mountain biking industry for the first time ever. While I like to see innovation and technological progress, I am not sure that the mountain biking industry really needs a 10 speed component set. I do agree that SRAM’s sponsored riders and other team riders will see a real advantage to this setup, but I do not think that the average Joe mountain biker would notice any difference. Don’t get me wrong…you are going to see one of these groups at your local trailhead with some weekend warrior trying to convince you to skip your mortgage payment to pick one up, but the reality is that this group is a purpose built package.
Would I ride a bike that has this group installed? Of course! I actually run 2×9 setups on all of my personal rigs (minus the ss). Would I buy this component group for one of my bikes? Probably not. I need to have components that I can swap out between bikes and proprietary systems like the SRAM XX do not fit my needs, but…remember…they are not marketing this system to me anyway. I am not a sponsored xc racer.
I might be eating my words in the future (it has been known to happen), but I do not thing that 10 speed component groups are going to take over the mountain biking industry like they have in the road world. I do not think there is enough of an advantage to warrant changing over everything to a new format. Of course…many riders…just like myself…probably said the same thing about the switch from 8 speed to 9 speed…
These pictures and more information on SRAM XX can be found at sram.com/xx
–>
 SRAM XX DISC BRAKE |  SRAM XX GXP CRANKSET |  SRAM XX BB30 CRANKSET |  SRAM XX CASSETTE |  SRAM XX FRONT DERAILLEUR |
 SRAM XX REAR DERAILLEUR |  SRAM XX TRIGGER SHIFTERS |  SRAM XX 38.2MM CLAMP-ON FRONT DERAILLEUR |
-
- SRAM XX – Press Fit Bottom Bracket
-
- SRAM XX – Hydraulic Disc Brake and Rotor
-
- SRAM XX – Hydraulic Disc Brake Lever
-
- SRAM XX – 10 Speed Cassette
-
- SRAM XX – 2 Ring Crankset
-
- SRAM XX – High Mount Front Derailleur
-
- SRAM XX – 10 Speed Rear Derailleur
-
- SRAM XX – Trigger Shifter
-
- SRAM XX – Suspension Chart – SID, REBA, REVELATION
-
- SRAM XX – XLoc – Hydraulic Lockout
-
- SRAM XX – RockShox SID
Do you want to become a faster and better rider?
Becoming faster on the mountain bike trail requires some sort of program or focus. Luckily for us, James Wilson (pro MTB trainer) put together the The Ultimate MTB Workout that will get you over that speed hump and make you a faster mountain biker. This affordable and extremely comprehensive program is exactly what you are looking for to bring the speed out of your legs and against the dirt whether you are a recreational rider or racer. Click here to check out The Ultimate MTB Workout Program.
If you are looking to increase your riding skills, Ramped Riding is a 135 page eBook packed with over 15 years worth of mountain biking experience that will make you a better rider instantly, guaranteed. Click Here To Check Out Ramped Riding
Want to contribute content to mountain.bike198.com? Gain access to thousands of mountain bikers and be a part of a growing community by submitting guest tips and reviews on Bike198. Hit up the contact form to get started!
10:12 am
By my calculations you lose about 2 gear inches on the top end and about 2 gear inches on the bottom end. How big a deal is that? I expect the top end would never be a big deal, but from 19.6 gear inches to 17.1 gear inches… the 2.5″ would probably be a big deal when you’re cruising up some 25% grade, I’d guess. Thoughts?
9:34 am
My prediction is that 2×10 will quickly (once affordable) be a new MTB standard. Much like compact gearing is to road riding. For all but the most mountaineous regions, compact gearing has almost eliminated triples on +$1500 road bikes. MTB 2×10 will be the same and I’m a bit surprised you’re not seeing that.
I believe it is great for 29ers (of which I own 2) and 26ers alike (only 1 left in the quiver).
Now – I agree that I am unlikely to plunk down the ching for an upgrade (much like I am not planning to get the new DA 7900 electronic shifters) but I will very much hope to see the group mature and be affordable for my next new rig.
How about a poll asking – ‘if priced the same, would you buy a new bike with 2×10 or 3×9?’
Thanks for listening and thanks for expressing your views for all of us to read and enjoy.
9:20 am
I’m afraid this will be a new standard, and fairly soon.
Why am I afraid? I don’t like upgrading because a company says I _HAVE_ to. I am all for improvements and things that work better. I’m on full suspension, I have discs on the bike – I found those things to work better. They make riding the bike more enjoyable.
Putting another gear into the same area does make tolerances tighter, and that means one of two things
1) Increase of cost to hold to those tolerances. It’ll cost more for the same quality.
2) It’ll become sloppy quick. If the extra $$ isn’t put into higher tolerances, it’ll become noticeable when it doesn’t work correctly.
If this is for pure racers, I have no problems with it. Just like Formula 1 and Nascar vehicles are cars I can’t buy for the street. They require a full time mechanic and lots of parts changes – I wonder if the 2 X 10 will follow that same logic. What I expect to see is that within 3 years we will see 2 X 10 in all the levels that we want to buy.
I don’t want that.
If we are to go to 2 X 10, then there should be a wider cassette, and that should mean a wider rear triangle (or wheels with even more dish – eek).
James
10:17 am
James…I agree with you on all of that. Thanks for adding your .02.
1:37 am
Count me as a naysayer. I already dislike being forced to run 9 speed on the high end stuff.
Back when 8 speed was king, even the mid-grade stuff lasted a long time. I used to get ~15 months on a Sram PC68 chain without stretching the chain enough to damage to the rings. I could practically get an entire shrub caught in the cogs without affecting shifting. Chainlube even seemed to last for weeks. Even with the increased wheel dish, 8 speed improved on the range of 7 speed without hurting function.
With 9 speed the range is improved, but it cost a lot in function. On my first primary 9 speed setup, a PC970 chain stretched in less than a month, less than 300 miles, and demolished the chainrings in the process. This is even with liberal application of lube which the chain seemed to need every ride or more. The chain is necessarily thinner to fit the tighter spacing, but it’s too thin to take the stresses. I have to run the XTR/DuraAce chain to barely get 8 months of life. And, a blade of grass can cause shifting hiccups.
When I saw the magazine spread on Sram XX last month, I screamed “WTF?!” Didn’t go over so well at the bookstore. All I can say is if SRAM and Shimano force 10-speed-only on us without maintaining/increasing the cog spacing (+ increasing dropout spacing to prevent more dish), I’m probably going to have to give up mountain biking ‘cuz I can’t picture changing my chain & cogs every ride. Thanks for letting me vent.
9:35 am
I like the idea, however the initial cost is way too high, second after reading James post (technical stuff) I’m even less excited and last but not least I rather have a second mid range bike to use and give my $6k dream bike, that I am still paying on, a break than just get the XX.
However, I was really amazed w/Shimano’s electronic shifting setup…and would love to see that on mountain bike and would pay for something like that b/c it just seems like the way to go
1:56 am
Hello MTB lovers my response for the 2×10 gruppo is just that SRAM wants to show the cycling world that they have good tech people to re-invent the ones existing MTB technology started by SHIMANO, I hope Shimano would not copy this technology but instead go for the internal gear technology that they already have just make some improvements, Why go internal gearing first its more reliable in the long run, rear wheels will become tougher because spokes will be trued equally on both sides so you have this triangular effect no mud or debris that will stuck on your sprocket or derailleur it will look like single speed bike. what SHIMANO also could do with internal gear is that they can also make the group use the triple chain ring then add a Chain Tensioner. So far SRAM is just going for 2×10 because they don't have really their own design all of them are re-invented, where is their flagship GRIP SHIFT but instead they also moved to thumb shifting because they know that GRIP SHIFT is awkward to use many cyclist almost 80 to 90% use thumb shifting. My conclusion is 2×10 is not worth it mostly for ordinary or weekend riders because why use the very expensive 2×10 I can still have my 3×8 for trail ride and still works fine with 2×10 probably after 1000 km or less of abuse riding you need to replace your chain. INTERNAL GEARING WILL BE THE FUTURE SHIMANO GO FOR IT YOU ALREADY HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY DON'T COPY THIS 2X10 DON'T RUN TO SRAM's TECH BUT YOU ARE THE INVENTOR OF MTB PARTS SO GO INTERNAL.
5:56 am
Hello MTB lovers my response for the 2×10 gruppo is just that SRAM wants to show the cycling world that they have good tech people to re-invent the ones existing MTB technology started by SHIMANO, I hope Shimano would not copy this technology but instead go for the internal gear technology that they already have just make some improvements, Why go internal gearing first its more reliable in the long run, rear wheels will become tougher because spokes will be trued equally on both sides so you have this triangular effect no mud or debris that will stuck on your sprocket or derailleur it will look like single speed bike. what SHIMANO also could do with internal gear is that they can also make the group use the triple chain ring then add a Chain Tensioner. So far SRAM is just going for 2×10 because they don't have really their own design all of them are re-invented, where is their flagship GRIP SHIFT but instead they also moved to thumb shifting because they know that GRIP SHIFT is awkward to use many cyclist almost 80 to 90% use thumb shifting. My conclusion is 2×10 is not worth it mostly for ordinary or weekend riders because why use the very expensive 2×10 I can still have my 3×8 for trail ride and still works fine with 2×10 probably after 1000 km or less of abuse riding you need to replace your chain. INTERNAL GEARING WILL BE THE FUTURE SHIMANO GO FOR IT YOU ALREADY HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY DON'T COPY THIS 2X10 DON'T RUN TO SRAM's TECH BUT YOU ARE THE INVENTOR OF MTB PARTS SO GO INTERNAL.