SRAM MTB Groupsets Hierarchy – An overview of all SRAM Mountain Bike Groupsets

When choosing a new mountain bike, you are also able to decide what groupset you'd like on your new MTB. We've already covered all the Shimano MTB groupsets in a previous blog, but SRAM also offers a wide range of groupsets. But which of these SRAM groupsets is right for you? In this blog we review all SRAM MTB groupsets in order, from SX Eagle to XX1 Eagle.

What parts make up a group set?

A novice mountain biker might not know exactly which parts form what is called a groupset. Simply put, all “moving” parts of your MTB make up the group set. First of all, the shifters, your front and rear derailleurs, and your brakes. As well as these, your crankset with its chainring(s), your cassette and your chain are also part of your groupset.

Which SRAM groupset do I need on my mountain bike?

If you haven't been riding an MTB for long, it can be hard to know what groupset is well suited to your sort of riding. Buying a cheaper SRAM group set also doesn't necessarily mean buying lower quality. Novice and pro mountain bikers obviously have very different needs when it comes to groupsets. The difference primarily is with the materials that the parts are made from and the weight of the entire groupset. The more expensive the groupset, the lighter and more durable it will be.

Do you have your eye on a bike fitted with a SRAM GX eagle groupset? Check if there are actually also parts from a different SRAM group on the bike. On these sorts of bikes mainly GX groupset parts are used, but sometimes the manufacturer chooses to mix them with parts from another groupset. Parts that wear more quickly generally come from the lower-end group sets. Manufacturers do this to keep the purchase price down. You can, of course, choose to upgrade these parts! Upgrade kits are an easy way to upgrade your MTB. Usually they consist of 1 or 2 shifters, derailleurs, a chain and a cassette.

SRAM MTB groupsets hierachy

Before putting all the SRAM MTB groupsets in a row, it's useful to clarify the meaning of a couple of terms.

AXS: The name of SRAM's electronic, wireless shifting technology. Eagle: With the introduction of 1 x 12 gearing, SRAM chose to give the name Eagle to all their 1 x 12 speed groupsets, so that's an easy way to identify a 12 speed from SRAM.

SRAM MTB groupsets	Shifting type	Level	Discipline	Price	Weight	Durability	Shifting responsiveness & shifting under load
SX Eagle	Mechanical	Good	Cross Country
NX Eagle	Mechanical	Good	Cross Country
GX Eagle	Mechanical	Better	Cross Country/Trail/Enduro
X01 Eagle	Mechanical	Best	Trail/Enduro
X01 AXS Eagle	Electronic	Best	Trail/Enduro
XX1 Eagle	Mechanical	Best	Cross Country
XX1 AXS Eagle	Electronic	Best	Cross Country

SRAM SX Eagle groupset

SRAM's entry-level groupset is the SX. This groupset is available as a 12 speed (Eagle) and usually appears on entry-level model MTBs. So for very comparatively little money you can enjoy a 12 speed groupset. The disadvantage of this groupset is its weight. With a total weight of 2328 grams it's clear that heavier materials have been used.

SRAM SX Eagle groupsets can be found on the various mountain bike models from Cube, as well as on the entry-level models from Trek, Scott and Giant. The appearance of the SRAM SX groupset brought an end to 2 x 11 SRAM groupsets on new MTBs.

With an 11-50 ratio you get a range of 454%. The HG cassette is compatible with an HG 9-11 speed body.

SRAM NX Eagle groupset

The next groupset in the SRAM range is the NX Eagle. The NX groupset is available as an Eagle (1x12). Previously NX had an 11 speed groupset, but this is no longer used on new mountain bikes. However, it's still possible to get replacement parts for a SRAM NX 1x11-speed groupset.

The cassette in the NX Eagle groupset is compatible with HG bodies, so a 9, 10 or 11 Speed Shimano HG body will fit. This cassette will give you a range of 454%. The SRAM NX Eagle groupset is mainly used on mountain bikes in the lower segment.

SRAM GX Eagle groupset

The SRAM GX groupset is available as 1 x 12. In the past there were also 1 x 11 and 2 x 11 GX groupsets, so you can still buy loose parts for these, but the 11 speed is no longer available as a complete groupset. The GX Eagle (so 12 by) you can get as a groupset, individual parts, or as an upgrade kit.

The GX Eagle has a SRAM XD body. The cassette has a 10-52 ratio with a range of 520%. The shifting response under load is somewhat slower than it is with the higher-end groupsets, but the GX Eagle offers very good value for money. It's popular with enthusiasts and recreational riders alike.

SRAM X01 Eagle groupset

From this groupset upwards we're looking at SRAM's higher end groupsets. The materials used in this groupset are heavier and less durable than those used in the XX1 groupset. The SRAM X01 Eagle groupset is therefore not the lightest, but it is the strongest. That makes this groupset really well suited to trail and/or enduro riding.

This groupset uses a SRAM XD body, which gives you a cassette with a range of 520%.

SRAM X01 AXS Eagle groupset

For the cyclist who wants SRAM's strongest groupset combined with wireless shifting there's the SRAM X01 AXS Eagle. With AXS wireless shifting technology this groupset is on trail/ enduro racing level. Adjustment of your shifting system is done using the AXS app.

Something that is also not unimportant is the colour combinations of the groupsets. You can go for gold, but you can also choose to have all the colours of the rainbow on your bike...

SRAM XX1 Eagle groupset

Do you want the lightest possible groupset? Then the SRAM XX1 Eagle groupset is for you. This group is mostly made of carbon and top quality aluminum, and weighs 32g less than the X01.

Compared to the X01 group, with the XX1 you sacrifice a bit on the durability of the parts but, on the flip side, with the XX1 you get a lighter and faster shifting groupset. Whereas the X01 is intended for trail and enduro, the XX1 is specifically developed for Cross Country.

This groupset has a SRAM XD body, which gives you a cassette with a range of 520%. You have a choice between a rainbow-coloured, gold or copper finish.

SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS groupset

Finally, the last of the SRAM MTB groups: the SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS. This groupset is made up of SRAM's lightest parts and uses wireless shifting technology. The cassette is mounted on a SRAM XD body and has a range of 520%. Weighing in at just 1415g the XX1 Eagle AXS is a really good quality, lightweight cassette! It also shifts like a dream and is less subject to wear. AXS makes it possible to further customise your groupset. You can read more about wireless shifting groupsets from SRAM in this blog article.

SRAM AXS APP

To pair your bike and get the most out of the AXS system, you can use the AXS app. The app automatically searches for the latest firmware updates. You can set up the shifting exactly as you like it and control how the parts operate. And it all works with bluetooth, so you can make small adjustments along the way.