Is the SRAM AXS Upgrade Kit Worth it?
At this point in time, you’ve probably heard about the SRAM AXS Upgrade Kit. If not, it’s a kit that takes your SRAM 12-speed mechanical drivetrain and turns it into its wireless shifting system. I was repainting my mountain bike in December so I decided to take a look at possible upgrades. My main question was is the SRAM AXS Upgrade Kit Worth it?
The benefits of the SRAM AXS upgrade kit are as follows
Wireless shifting: The SRAM AXS upgrade kit eliminates the need for traditional shift cables, providing a clean and uncluttered appearance to your bike. It uses wireless technology to send signals from the shifter to the derailleur, resulting in faster and more precise shifting.
Customizable controls: The AXS upgrade kit allows you to customize the controls to suit your preferences. You can adjust the shifting speed, control the rear derailleur, and set the shift buttons to perform specific functions.
Improved performance: The AXS upgrade kit is designed to improve performance by providing smoother and more accurate shifting. The wireless system eliminates any friction and resistance in the shift cables, resulting in a more efficient transfer of power.
Reduced maintenance: With no shift cables to adjust, the SRAM AXS upgrade kit requires less maintenance than traditional shifting systems. This can save time and money in the long run.
Integration with other components: The AXS upgrade kit is compatible with other SRAM components, such as power meters and suspension systems, allowing for seamless integration and easy customization of your entire bike setup.
So basically, you go from this…
To this…
The SRAM AXS upgrade kit comes in all 3 models of the AXS Mountain Bike groupset
GX version which retails for around $620, the X01 version which sells for around $850, and the XX1 version which retails for around $1,050. You can mix and match as GX, X01 and XX1 are compatible with one another. From what I learned, the difference between the 3 levels comes down to a few grams in weight, with the XX1 being a little lighter and having a little less rolling resistance due to better bearings in the derailleur.
According to the experts, the shifting was exactly the same so I bought the GX version as I don’t care about the extra grams in weight. So is the SRAM AXS upgrade kit worth it?
The benefits of wireless shifting
To be honest, I fought the wireless shifting trend for years until I bought my Giant road bike a few years ago and fell in love with wireless shifting. To me, wireless shifting technology is a game-changer, and I love the customizable experience with programmable controls on my phone that could be adjusted to my preferred shifting options through the AXS APP. The AXS system is reliable, providing smooth, precise, and instant gear changes with a push of a button. And let’s talk about the sleek handlebar setup that frees up space for other components. It looks cool, too!
Installing the SRAM AXS upgrade kit
Installation was super easy and I would say from personal experience, it’s easier than the old-school mechanical shifters. All I did was watch this SRAM install video and I was good to go in a matter of minutes.
Riding my Mountain Bike with the SRAM AXS upgrade kit.
Shifting: The Sram AXS upgrade kit made my shifting perfect every time. Like no kidding. My shifting was perfect every time with every shift quick and accurate.
Asthetics: Personally, I’m over the old-school mechanical cable and housing setup. Bikes without cables just look cooler and internal cabling works, it’s just a lot of work to install and maintain.
Maintainance: The old-school mechanical cable and housing setup is a pain to keep in adjustment, and it’s a lot of work to maintain as you need to replace your cables and housing every year. With AXS, all you need to do is make sure your batteries are charged.
The Cool Factor: Overall, wireless is just cooler. Call me vain, I don’t care. I ride my bikes to have fun.
So, is the SRAM AXS upgrade kit worth it?
In my opinion, hell yes if you can handle the extra expenditure. Overall, I’m happy with my decision to upgrade and would highly recommend the SRAM AXS upgrade kit to anyone looking to take their cycling experience to the next level.
Other Stuff
Get all the info you need on the SRAM website.
To save money, you could sell your old SRAM 12-speed shifter and derailleur on eBay to offset the cost.
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How to paint your bike and make it look new again
John
