@Merwinn I don't think that the price point will be worth the performance drop relative to what XO1 offers. It is the electronics and related mechanisms that are going to determine a good chunk of the retail price and there are not a lot of ways that SRAM can spec lower cost components, within the AXS part of the system, in order to deliver a reasonable price drop to the consumer.
Then there is also the question of why one would commit a chunk of expensive electronics to a mechanism that does not offer the same level of robustness and longevity.
There is nothing stopping anyone currently running a GX cassette with AXS but the logic dictates that if one can afford to buy AXS then the price difference between a GX and XO1 cassette is not really going to be a big stopping point.
The GX drive train is an excellent system but it just doesn't compete with XO1 for crispness of shifting and longevity.
I have met a lot of riders during my guiding who run GX (and I have run it myself for a year and I have just installed it on my wife's bike) and my upgrade recommendation is always start with installing the XO1 cassette and chain (for the crisper shifting and longevity and an XX1 chain if one really wants longevity) and then a XO1 shifter if the budget stretches that far.
I have been mocked in the past for stating this but the biggest real world monetary performance gain for the lowest spend is the upgrade to a lighter, stronger and longer lasting chain. There is no other part that moves so much where a small spend creates a 10% weight saving and the resulting force reduction (f=mv2) translates into lower wear and tear on the drivetrain.
Just watch a friend ride over something janky and then into a compression and watch the chain move if you need convincing.
The best performing for the dollar, XD drive based, mechanical Eagle system is: XO1 shifter, GX crankset with NX X-Sync II steel chain ring (and non boost for most riders living in steep terrain for better chain line in the lower/ bigger gears), XX1 chain, GX derailleur and XO1 cassette.
Product managers who spec GX shifters, cassettes and chain with XO1 derailleurs are just pandering to marketing whims. There is no appreciable performance increase or longevity gain for the dollar allocation.
Anyway slightly off topic there but I think GX AXS aspirants might be a little shocked at the price if and when it appears.
Jan. 17, 2021, 10:47 a.m. - AndrewR
@Merwinn I don't think that the price point will be worth the performance drop relative to what XO1 offers. It is the electronics and related mechanisms that are going to determine a good chunk of the retail price and there are not a lot of ways that SRAM can spec lower cost components, within the AXS part of the system, in order to deliver a reasonable price drop to the consumer. Then there is also the question of why one would commit a chunk of expensive electronics to a mechanism that does not offer the same level of robustness and longevity. There is nothing stopping anyone currently running a GX cassette with AXS but the logic dictates that if one can afford to buy AXS then the price difference between a GX and XO1 cassette is not really going to be a big stopping point. The GX drive train is an excellent system but it just doesn't compete with XO1 for crispness of shifting and longevity. I have met a lot of riders during my guiding who run GX (and I have run it myself for a year and I have just installed it on my wife's bike) and my upgrade recommendation is always start with installing the XO1 cassette and chain (for the crisper shifting and longevity and an XX1 chain if one really wants longevity) and then a XO1 shifter if the budget stretches that far. I have been mocked in the past for stating this but the biggest real world monetary performance gain for the lowest spend is the upgrade to a lighter, stronger and longer lasting chain. There is no other part that moves so much where a small spend creates a 10% weight saving and the resulting force reduction (f=mv2) translates into lower wear and tear on the drivetrain. Just watch a friend ride over something janky and then into a compression and watch the chain move if you need convincing. The best performing for the dollar, XD drive based, mechanical Eagle system is: XO1 shifter, GX crankset with NX X-Sync II steel chain ring (and non boost for most riders living in steep terrain for better chain line in the lower/ bigger gears), XX1 chain, GX derailleur and XO1 cassette. Product managers who spec GX shifters, cassettes and chain with XO1 derailleurs are just pandering to marketing whims. There is no appreciable performance increase or longevity gain for the dollar allocation. Anyway slightly off topic there but I think GX AXS aspirants might be a little shocked at the price if and when it appears.