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I have never had such a pile of poo set of gears as SRAM GX Eagle. They just seem to be impossible to index and run like a bag of spanners being dropped down the stairs.
Four months in and I am thinking of ditching it and replacing with Shimano SLX 11 speed.
Is it SRAM or me?
Is your mech hanger straight? No point in even trying to index your gears if it isn't.
It's good imo and worth sticking with.
Exact when sagged b screw and checking the hanger alignment make all the difference.
I have swerved it myself on the basis that I know it would drive me up the wall.
Move to a 12sp Shimano shifter & mech?
Cassette and chain are good so far, but running them with XX1 mech and shifter.
Absolutely zero problems with my GX eagle. I have zero mechanical skill and I can get them indexed first time with no problems.
Sounds like something's out of line on your bike
As above, never an issue with mine. Runs as smooth as silk
Or it could be the quality control or tolerances on the kit aren't good enough? Mine appears to work well, but with an XT derailleur.
No problems once set up properly and then it doesn't need touching in my experience. Myself and a friend have taken the time to set up properly and both like it. Another friend who is a serial tinkerer and doesn't take the time to set it up properly hates it and is constantly adjusting things to get it working properly, which it never does, as it needs taking back to the start and doing properly.
When the shifting on my GX eagle set up turned to shit it turned out I'd bent a link in the chain.
How I manged that I don't know, probably a gear shift under load. A new chain and normal shifting was resumed.
I've never had an issues with GX Eagle myself.
I’m afraid I’m with the OP.
New it was sweet, beautiful group set, I didn’t know how much I missed the way SRAM gears bang down.
Within a few short, summer months it was ghost shifting, stuttering, lagging and generally being a sod. I changed the chain even though it really wasn’t worn and The cable which only helped so much. I’ve got the B screw guide and spent hours indexing it.
My mate’s was worse, on inspection then rivets that hold the mech together had quite a bit of slop in them, a new mech fixed his problems, but I’m not in the mood to replace mechs every 3 months to keep it running sweet.
I’ve decided that 12sp is just too much for something thst takes the sort of treatment that MTBs get, maybe a wider cassette with gaps more like 10sp would allow a bit more tolerance.
I’m going to keep an eye on how 12sp XT goes for other riders, I’ve got DT hubs so it’s a pretty easy conversion, but I’m tempted to go back to 11sp I’ll miss the big 50 winch gear, but I might live with it.
Durability is an issue with sram, how many people are running several year old sram compared to several year old shimano, I've seen ancient xt still going strong on the trails. And the price of their cassettes is ridiculous, even the basic pinned together ones have been well over the XT equivalent for years. The last time I used sram the shifter and mech destroyed itself and GXP was utter garbage too. Undercutting shimano with bike manufacturers then selling overpriced to the public in my opinion.
I've had gx Eagle on two bikes now. It's never been perfect even with lots of fettling and setting up. Some days it will be fine, others lots of clicking etc and poor shifting.
5th gear on gx cassettes have a known problem with chain catching on one tooth causing an annoying click g g ich I've ground down
Im waiting for the hope microsplibe freehub in January to give xt8100 a try
GX has been working perfectly for me for two years. I lost the chain a few times but changing a worn chain ring solved that. When I did have indexing issues afeter a crash it was a bent hanger. Otherwise it’s been easy to set up and keep in trim.
I must be lucky! 3 sets on our bikes all running smoothly. 2 sets are over a year old and I've just adjusted cable tension and bought a new chain.
Only slight niggle on mine is the chain catches one of the teeth on one of the lower cogs every so often. That cassette has done quite a lot of mileage though to be fair.
Always had Shimano and, since getting my first bike with sram eagle, im not a convert but will persevere for now.
Whats the solution though... totally ditch sram or stick with sram cassette, chainring & chain and get Shimano 12speed mech & shifter?
I ran it for a while without issue. Never needed adjusting, sharp shifting, no complaints. I do suspect that all 12 speed is more susceptible to alignment, adjustment and set up. But if all of that is in good order it works well.
Have it on a few bikes works great the oldest is 5 years old and that one is use in the crap of winter that's 11speed other bikes are 12 works smoother than 11 speed shimano single ring setup.
No issue with GX Eagle. Not quite as crisp as X01/XX1 but then I don’t expect it to be.
I wrecked an X01 mech recently and have an XTR shifter and mech to try. I feel that coupled with an XX1 cassette is probably the best option, no interest in Shimano cassettes as they are heavier, need a new free hub and can pretty much guarantee they won’t last as long as the steel sram versions which just have one Alu ring.
The most annoying thing I find about sram is the clutches go on the mechs.
No problem with my gx eagle here. Been running for about a year and a half without any issues.
Is it SRAM or me?
It's SRAM.
Ours was poop too. Mech that wobbled was a "feature" apparently. Shifter that allowed cable to jump out and the end cap wedge between mechanism and casing was 'usual'. Multiple bolt sizes and head formats, of course.
We are a total Shimano household now across 7 bikes.
I changed to a shimano xt 12 speed mech which is compatible, no need to change shifter etc and is a much better mech.
It's shifting ok now at the top of the cassette, but it struggles to drop down as though the spring is to weak to make it return. I've lubed and tried to make sure the pivots move freely. It's a new cable and outer.
I ride in the Lakes and bumps and knocks were tolerated by my old SLX 11 speed. Perhaps GX 12 is just not fit for my purpose?
I might get lucky tomorrow going up and down Helvellyn twice and smash the shit out of it and I'll be liberated!
Gx on the fs and NX on the winter ht. Both work great. Set them up and that was it.
I do use a tool to check the mech hanger alignment though.😉
Does anyone else's gx set up drop the chain in yhr 50 tooth on back pedalling. First t130 didn't do it, newer model I now have does
What is the shifter cable like?
New shifter cable and freshly lived.
I have it on 2 bikes, it's great. No different to index than any other gears I've ever fitted and shifts better than most. I mean, presumably your second problem stems from the first.
It’s shifting ok now at the top of the cassette, but it struggles to drop down as though the spring is to weak to make it return
It's too weak to overcome the probably bent pivot pins that are binding. We've sent 2 NX & 1 GX mechs for warranty replacement because of this.
Been faultless on my wife’s bike since I fitted it last year.
Minor glitch when she came off and rear mech took a whack but straightening the hanger has it running just fine again.
I just noticed that the jockey wheels are narrow/wide - not sure if I lined mine up properly or not but I would assume it makes a difference to noise etc so worth checking.
I'm with the strugglers on this. Had it 2 years now, 2nd mech, and it's a pain. Get it working perfectly and within 3 rides its managed to mess itself up. In just waiting for the 12 speed shimano stuff to start coming through from the oem discounters before switching
Is it SRAM or me?
It's you.
GX Eagle is fantastic stuff, not being able to set it up correctly isn't a fault of the groupset, more a fault of the person setting it up.
Yep, its you.
GX 11 and Eagle working fine here for over 2 years. Meticulous set up and B screw adjustment then been faultless.
Even if it worked properly I’d never use it as I don’t understand how people think the shifters are ok? Compared to Shimano the upshift button just seems completely misplaced and hard to reach. Maybe it’s because of Shimano patent on the trigger shifter design?
My previous bike had SRAM shifters and after a few months of trying to get used to them I switched to Shimano.
Recently I wanted to buy a new bike but all the ones I was interested in had SRAM gears - grrrrr!
So built a new bike with Shimano 11sp - works fantastically.
I have to agree, the actual user friendliness is poor compared to Shimano, you can't block shift with Sram, can you?
Even if it worked properly I’d never use it as I don’t understand how people think the shifters are ok? Compared to Shimano the upshift button just seems completely misplaced and hard to reach.
Nope, quite the opposite in fact. Having been on SRAM probably for 6 years through 11 speed and 12, I’ve gone to Shimano mech and shifter on Sram cassette.
The Shimano shifter ergonomics are shyte.
It’s almost impossible to use your thumb to shift down the cassette as the button is tucked too far round and high to get to. So I have to shift with my forefinger the other way, which is really annoying as I cover the brakes when racing.
Hopefully I’ll get used to it, but not impressed thus far, even if it shifts nicely.
Just bought some (attached to a scandal 29) - last group set was X9 triple so... what's a clutch and do I need to do anything with it?
It’s almost impossible to use your thumb to shift down the cassette as the button is tucked too far round and high to get to
Eh? I've Shimano XT I-spec shifters on my bikes and the down shift lever is in the perfect position for my thumb to engage with and the upshift is perfect for the index finger.
Note that I've never used a Sram drivetrain so don't know how it compares to Shimano. Not active avoidance on my part, I've just never had chance or taken the opportunity to ride a bike with Sram.
@bob_summers - the clutch is a mechanism in the rear mech that aims to prevent chain slap and drop. On Shimano mechs there's a lever just above the jockey arm that's either on or off. That's it.
GX 11spd is the worst groupset I've ever lived with, can't imagine how cramming an 12th gear in there could help...
2nd and last time I'll ever buy an SRAM bike, the spares prices are just adding insult to injury.
Just got back from a week riding with the gx. It was a nightmare. It would run fine on one run and then with no changes it would start ticking and jumping. then it would be fine again. Really disappointed with it
@bob_summers - leave it on except when you need to remove/replace the rear wheel when the extra tension that the clutch gives will work against you. On Shimano mechs you can run the clutch on or off but on Sram I believe it's always on and you have to push a pin to lock the jockey arm in position.
I am going to swap the hanger out to see if it makes any difference and go right back through installation set up as it was a pain in the arse yesterday. Helvellyn double was ace and didn't stop the downhill being fun.
It did work faultlessly on this section.
Nope, quite the opposite in fact. Having been on SRAM probably for 6 years through 11 speed and 12, I’ve gone to Shimano mech and shifter on Sram cassette.
The Shimano shifter ergonomics are shyte.
It’s almost impossible to use your thumb to shift down the cassette as the button is tucked too far round and high to get to. So I have to shift with my forefinger the other way, which is really annoying as I cover the brakes when racing.
Hopefully I’ll get used to it, but not impressed thus far, even if it shifts nicely.
By all accounts you can mix and match sram shifter with a shimano mech.
Will be sending an X01 eagle mech back thats lost its clutching, only been on the bike 6 months.
Sram jockey wheel bearings are shit as well, going to give the superstar ones a try.
@tomaso, just swapping the hanger out might not help much. Sorry if you've already done it and I've missed it but have you checked the hanger for alignment?
No GX, but NX Eagle user here.
Got it on my current bike I got last May, used all generations of Shimano XT until then.
When everything is 100% clean, freshly adjusted and no loads, the NX shifts smoother than the M8000 XT. Together with the slightly bigger range that's it.
Shifter ergonomics are awful. When shifted under load it feels like it will explode. It starts misbehaving at the very sight of mud or dirt. It needs frequent adjustment, sometimes even the limit screws move around. The derailleur is developing play on most pivots. The derailleur is huge and exposed.
I like the NX crankset with the steel chainring as my frame can't mount a bashguard (Stumpy Evo).
The M8000 XT was flawless for 1,5 years, it needed adjustment a couple of times, and always worked as it should no matter how neglected. At least the NX makes me wash my bike more frequently, which I guess is good.
Can't wait for 12spd Shimano groupsets to pop up cheap at German sites to replace the whole thing, brakes included
It starts misbehaving at the very sight of mud or dirt.
I've binned off wet lubes and only use squirt, drivetrain picks up far less muck and dirt during the ride. 700miles on the last chain and still well within 0.5 wear.
Member
GX 11spd is the worst groupset I’ve ever lived with, can’t imagine how cramming an 12th gear in there could help…
Just for balance I have GX 11 speed on 2 mtbs and apart from seized hockey wheel bearings (replaced with NX bushes jockeys and no further issues) I’ve had no issues. They rarely need adjusting and are nice and snappy shifting. One of the steel cassettes is now 2.5 years old and still going strong. Shifting is still good and it took a new chain even though the last one had got to 1.0 on a chain checker.
Funnily enough I’ve had a go on a few shimano drivetrains and found the gears awkward to shift one way by thumb - the lever seemed too small and far away and I ended up using a finger to click it the other way (think it’s been slx shifters both times).
I don’t really much like the shimano 105 road groupset I’ve got either. The lbs mechanic says I’m wrong and why would I like ‘angry’ sram gears over smooth / quiet shimano ones.
Purely down to personal preference really - use what works for you.
There is no personal preference to SRAM vs Shimano, I just want gears that work! I am waiting on the SRAM Eagle adjustment gauge and will then start again and see if I can eliminate all the suggestions provided.
Popping into my LBS to speak to them about the mech not shifting down freely and see what they about that.
Where is the best place to get an adjustment gauge from?
Printing one on paper (to proper scale) would work at a push - would be just as accurate but a bit less convenient - has anyone tried that ?
I set mine up by measuring the distance between jockey wheel and largest cog, but this won't be terribly accurate. All seems to run pretty nicely though, although it's only been a couple of rides.
I've just spent a couple of hours working through all of the suggestions.
I found, on my bike at least, the problem was caused by badly shaped teeth on sprockets 9, 10 and 11.
When the chain was on sprocket 8 (1 being largest and 12 smallest), two of the teeth in sprocket 9 were stopping it seating as they protruded too far in board (towards centre of the wheel).
These teeth are the highly angled ones that sit slightly in board or the others.
I took a dremel to the back side and ground away a little material from all of these problem teeth on 9, 10 and 11 sprockets and it's sorted the problem.
I guess it's down to either bad design or bad quality control
@markwsf I've ordered the template from ebay, it was £7.99 and as cheap as I could be bothered to find.
@iverhogseye I can see how that might be as I have noticed the catching of chain plates on one tooth of the cassette on certain gears, but its only a 3 month old bike and I don't see why I should have to adapt what is sold as complete system integration by SRAM.
My LBS, the Edge in Lancaster, have lent me a spare GX mech to help with my process of elimination. I just need to try not break it on Wednesday night in Torver.
I don't have an issue with the kit.
Keep it lubed and straight and its fine
Thanks Sam. Did it settle down after the fudge?
@ivorhogseye it's been alot better since. It didn't cause a shifting issue in mine just an annoying click in the 5th gear, (1st being the smallest) a little tickle on a dremel stopped the chain catching on two problem teeth on the next gear and it stopped the noise
New hanger and full reset of setup using Sram template has made it fairly good and certainly an improvement. Not tried spare mech yet, but will try that next.
Still not convinced at how suitable 12 speed is for me and my riding.
Me too, been faultless for over a year.