SRAM Introduces X01 DH 7-Speed and 10-Speed Drivetrains
SRAM has just announced a new DH drivetrain, bringing the technology seen in the xx1 and x01 11-speed groups to the gravity market. With a very tidy 7-speed 10-24 X-Dome cassette and an adapted X01 derailleur as the basis, SRAM is once again forging new territory. We also see the first trickle-down of the X-Horizon derailleur technology into the 10-speed arena, which is good news for those not ready to make the jump to 11-speed.
7-Speed X01 DH: Be Like Stevie
At Crankworx 2013 we found an interesting piece on Stevie Smith’s Air DH bike: the 7-speed cassette seen there turned out to be very close to the production models, which are going to become available in April 2014. The system is designed to be 1x specific, and with only a 10-24 cassette available on the 7-speed setup, this is a decidedly gravity-oriented group.
The most distinctive piece of the X01 DH group is the 7-speed X-Dome Mini Block cassette. Gearing is 10-12-14-16-18-21-24 with an aluminum spoke protector integrated right into the cassette.
Here’s a short video showing the X-Dome Mini Block in more detail:
The 7-speed X01 DH derailleur is an adapted 11-speed piece, and will be available in two cage lengths.
The X01 DH crank will run a 94 BCD chainring, allowing anywhere from a 30 to a 38-tooth chainrings. Crank lengths in 165, 170, and 175.
The 7-speed specific shifter maintains the adjustable thumb paddle and Matchmaker single clamp compatibility.
SRAM X01 DH 7-Speed Setup
- X01 DH X-SYNC™ Carbon Crank
- X01 DH 7-Speed MINI BLOCK™ Cassette
- X01 DH X-HORIZON™ 7-Speed RD
- X0 7-Speed Trigger Shifter
- XD™ DRIVER BODY
- PC-XX1 11-Speed Chain
SRAM X01 DH 7-Speed Overview
- High performance shifting engineered for DH bikes
- Optimized gearing for DH
- Lightest crank, lightest cassette, lightest shifter, lightest group
- Better overall system durability
- All X0 DH cranks get upgraded to X01 DH cranks with X-SYNC™ rings
- Based on our SRAM 1X™ philosophy of a dedicated system, X-SYNC™, X-HORIZON™, X-ACTUATION™
- 10-tooth cog allows smaller chain rings for more ground clearance
X01 DH 10-Speed: X-Horizon For The Masses
While the 7-speed group may be taking the spotlight, an interesting development is seen in the 10-speed X01 DH derailleur. This is the first 10-speed derailleur to feature SRAM’s X-Horizon horizontal parallelogram design – meaning those who want to take advantage of SRAM’s new design but not wanting to commit to a full 11-speed swap can now rest easy.
The X01 DH 10-speed derailleur doesn’t look all that different from the 7-speed version, but its cable pull has been tweaked to work with existing 10-speed shifters. This is the first time we’ve seen SRAM’s X-Horizon horizontal parallelogram design applied to the 10-speed platform – good news for those hoping for a trickle-down!
The PG-1070 11-26 will likely be a popular race option, but the X01 DH 10-speed derailleur will accommodate up to a 12-36 cassette.
SRAM X01 DH 10-Speed Setup
- High performance shifting engineered for DH bikes
- Optimized gearing for DH
- Lightest crank, lightest cassette, lightest shifter, lightest group
- Better overall system durability
- All X0 DH cranks get upgraded to X01 DH cranks with X-SYNC™ rings
- Based on our 1X™ philosophy of a dedicated system, X-SYNC™, X-HORIZON™, X-ACTUATION™
- 10-tooth cog allows smaller rings for more ground clearance
Components
- X01 DH X-SYNC™ Carbon Crank
- SRAM XG-1070 10-Speed Cassette
- X01 DH X-HORIZON™ 10-Speed RD
- X0 10-Speed Trigger Shifter
- X0 10-Speed Grip Shift
- SRAM PC-1091 10-Speed Chain
X01 DH Specs and Pricing
X01 DH will be available in April 2014. For more details check out both groups HERE.
X-Horizon trickle-down and a DH corn cob… it’s a good day in gravity.
Comments
Shaloamer
10 years, 1 month ago
MEC sells a suntour cassette for 30 bucks. Or you can buy Srams for 500$!!! Any 1to1 ratio derailleur works with suntours 7 speed cassette. Oh and it can be taken apart to modify the gear ratios.
Reply
Morgan Taylor
10 years, 1 month ago
The 7-speed X01 DH cassette is $300. The X01 11-speed 10-42 is $400.
I think you should go read the other article that's up today, The Angry Mob.
Reply
The Big Picture
10 years, 1 month ago
I'm still shaking my head. I don't see an advantage here. Unless it might be the not mentioned Price.
Reply
Morgan Taylor
10 years, 1 month ago
The pricing is in the charts at the bottom of the article.
Reply
Gernot Kvas
10 years, 1 month ago
Advantage of SRAMs new design: Massive derailleur sticking out in harms way when compared to Shimano Shadow+
Reply
walleater
10 years, 1 month ago
So they could have increased the distance between the hub flanges, decreasing dish and increasing wheel strength, but instead SRAM added a load of random space behind the cassette, and a 'spoke protector' which anyone who understands limit screws doesn't need, and is doubly pointless due to the aforementioned random space between the cassette and the spokes anyway? :Facepalm:
Reply
boomforeal
10 years, 1 month ago
i'm trying to figure out what the "advantage of SRAM’s new design" are for 10spd retro grouches: greater range (where's the megarange 10spd cassette)? increased durability (hasn't been an issue with high end sram drl's in my experience)? improved clutch?
Reply
mdouven
10 years, 1 month ago
check out the artical on at bikemag.com
There is a great in depth reason to why they developed it.
Check it out
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