[Closed] SRAM Eagle AXS... Is it just me?

I didn't get on with mine at first either. I fitted the AXS dropper and set it up so the left shifter moves to a bigger cog, the right main shifter to a smaller cog then the top right shifter works the dropper.

It's perfect for me like that.

I’ll swap you for my Gx 11 speed setup if you just can’t get on with your fancy shifter!

I’ve just gone Di2 on my road bike and love it - a bit more of the same on one of my mountain bikes would be lovely 😊

Years of muscle memory takes more than 4 rides to overcome, who knew!!

I appreciate it's different but it's a different action to shifting, with your thumb almost 'rolling' up or down to shift either way.

Have you got the correct MMX adaptor if you're using one?

It’s perfect for me like that

Same, but the gears the other way round, if you see what I mean. But the only reason I have it like that is to match the setup of the Cinq triggers on another bike, the ergonomics were fine. What clamps are you using MBoy? Makes a big difference.

It's not just you, but give it time.

It isn't a trigger like a mechanical system. It's more of a rocker. You just need to get your head around that. Also, the lever throw matters less since all you need to do is hit a button, which in the end you will realise gives you far more versatility than having to push a mechanical lever in a single plane.

I find I use thumb for upshifts and index finger on the 'secret shifter' up front for downshifts.

It took me a good few rides to get used to it, coming from XTR and XT Di2.
The Di2 is definitely much more like a mechanical shifter in its feel and ergonomics than AXS is.
Mine is on a matchmaker clamp but one that’s supposed to be for the left hand (front) shifter, which puts it further inboard. Found that made it sit in a place where my thumb rests nicely in the ‘dip’ in the paddle at rest so it’s more intuitive to shift.

I have successfully changed gear when drinking from a bottle on an unknown trail and coming to a surprise climb, just by tapping the bottle against the shifter!

I didn’t get on with mine at first either. I fitted the AXS dropper and set it up so the left shifter moves to a bigger cog, the right main shifter to a smaller cog then the top right shifter works the dropper.

It’s perfect for me like that.

I can't/won't commit to another Reverb... Which may be part of the problem

I’ll swap you for my Gx 11 speed setup if you just can’t get on with your fancy shifter!

I’ve just gone Di2 on my road bike and love it – a bit more of the same on one of my mountain bikes would be lovely 😊

You're ok ta, got waiting list of people ready to take it off my hands! Besides, still got mechanical shifter/mech to go back on...

I've got R8050 Di2 on one of my road bikes, it's superb. Ergonomics of the shift levers are much improved over the previous R6870 IMO, which is why I waited. Did have first Gen SRAM Red eTap when it came out though, and was thoroughly impressed by that.

What clamps are you using MBoy? Makes a big difference.

Using the proper SRAM Matchmaker setup, as I have SRAM G2 brakes on the bike too.

It’s not just you, but give it time.

I actually really can't be arsed! It's detracting from the ride at the moment, I'd rather go back to the mechanical I never had a problem with... If/when a new, more intuitive shifter is introduced, I'll be first in the line to get a go on it for sure. But until then, I'm just gonna make the backwards step I think!

Bike shop owner with all the gear & doesn't like new ideas

Who would've thunkit!

👋😝

Whilst we’re on it. Anyone used the Axs on a gravel bike .?

Looking into force levers with eagle mech and cassette. I’ve been told they work together

Works a treat. That's the point of AXS - total interchangeablility. I run the following:

Road Bike - full road AXS 2x
Red Shifters and Brakes, Red Front and Rear Mechs, 10-33 cassette

Mountain bike - full Eagle AXS 1x
XX1 Shifter and Mech, 10-50 cassette, Reverb AXS

Gravel Bike - mullet AXS 1x
Red Shifters and Brakes, XX1 Mech, 10-50 cassette

Most combos of AXS work together in terms of shifters and mechs. The only exception is the road chain which is specific to the road mechs and chainrings. The 1x gravel bike is actually my favourite bike. Plenty of range and the jumps between gears are surprisingly OK.

If I'd just dropped that much cash on some gears I wouldn't have the option of ditching it because it was taking me a while to get used to the buttons!! You must be minted!

Been using it for a while so can't really remember. Certainly don't remember it being particularly difficult to get used to. I think it is true to say it is quite a different sort of action to a mechanical shifter though. It did take me a little while to get used to which button to push to up and down shift - tried a few variations before eventually got happy. I have both AXS and mechanical on my bike and I swap between them nae bother now.

The 1x gravel bike is actually my favourite bike. Plenty of range and the jumps between gears are surprisingly OK.

How about on the road Sola? Getting a gravel bike as my only bike and debating 1x Vs 2x, either will be AXS. I'm historically an MTBer and never minded 1x in there, but the small gaps are nice on the road.

Riding in the gravel bike will probably be 70/30 road/off.

Cheers.

Bike shop owner with all the gear & doesn’t like new ideas

Ex bike shop owner that fully embraces new technology and ideas actually, but is also critical when I don't feel that it is fully implemented properly actually! Googling, it seems I'm not the only one that can't get used to the shifter by some margin. Maybe SRAM will change it for V2.0, maybe they're happy to lose me and a handful of others who can't get on with it, who knows...

Whilst we’re on it. Anyone used the Axs on a gravel bike .?

Building up a gravel bike V soon, and did consider keeping it for that exact reason. However, have already got 11spd stuff to go straight on that and I've never needed more than the 420% range 11spd affords me on that kind of bike before.

If I’d just dropped that much cash on some gears I wouldn’t have the option of ditching it because it was taking me a while to get used to the buttons!! You must be minted!

I work in the trade... It affords me a position where I can take a risk on things and if I don't get on with them, I can punt them on for approximately what they cost me within a short space of time. The longer I intend on keeping something, the more I have to rationalise the purchase, because that's when it starts to cost me money rather than just tying some up for the immediate future.

I'm waiting for some huge trickle down before this is a problem I can afford to have.lol If you can get lovely kit like this I say crack on mate, I sure as heck would too.

Hope you get used to it. I think it would take me bloody ages to get used to what is quiet a fundamental change to shifting.

When I first went from shim to sram ages back it confirmed that I'm not a fast learner at this sort of thing... or much else probably.

Hope you get used to it. I think it would take me bloody ages to get used to what is quiet a fundamental change to shifting.

When I first went from shim to sram ages back it confirmed that I’m not a fast learner at this sort of thing… or much else probably.

I can't be bothered... Worrying about changing gear, rather than focussing on lines and braking points on quite technically challenging trails...? Nah I'll just go back to mechanical. Looks like a friend will take it off me with a PX with his X01 mechanical setup and cash my way, so all good.

That's the funny thing though. On a road bike, I can swap from Shimano to SRAM to Campag, from mechanical to electronic, doesn't make a difference to me. I can swap between any of them readily. On MTB I'm happy swapping between SRAM and Shimano mechanical too, happy to ride whatever. In fact, having tried Shimano XT Di2 too, was happy enough riding that too. I just find the AXS Paddle shifter totally counter intuitive sadly! A shame, but certainly not the end of the world... It's gonna put quite a bit of cash back in my pocket at least!

So the op is a private bike trader!?

Hmmmmm, okay then

How about on the road Sola? Getting a gravel bike as my only bike and debating 1x Vs 2x, either will be AXS. I’m historically an MTBer and never minded 1x in there, but the small gaps are nice on the road.

I use my gravel bike as a winter bike and find 1x perfect. I was running 1x Red (40, 10/33 and while the gaps were good the smallest gear was a tad too high. I then moved to Eagle at the back and perfecto! I can climb anything in comfort (maybe that’s a sign of my age!).

So the op is a private bike trader!?

Hmmmmm, okay then

Well, no. But whatever. Why is that a problem?

Back to the issue. Did you try the supplied separate clamp? I find them better than the matchmakers, ergonomically.

I have had AXS for a little over a year now. I cant fault it. Yes it takes a bit of getting used to the shifter, but once you do, the pure pleasure of pressing a paddle a couple of mm's for a perfect shift, is sensational.

When I watch youtube vids, it used to be the 'chong' of a freehub that used to do my head in, now its the multiple clicking of a shifter as the cameraman gets into the correct gear (first world problems!)

Considering picking up a full Eagle X01 AXS groupset, Tweeks have it for £1199 which isn't an awful price... few questions for current users, has anyone tried the new rocker paddle? I see some older comments where people didnt get on with the OG shifter paddle. Then I saw a video on YouTube where the new rocker paddle would foul the lock on grip collar, anyone had this issue?

How has the mech held up to any accidental drops of the bike, knocks when riding or sticks going near it? If it has taken a knock, has the trim feature helped resolve any shifting issues?

Not tried the new paddle but really like the original switch.
Have dunted my mech a few times (scratches to prove) and it's still fine. I'm even brave/stupid enough to demonstrate the double clutch by thumping it with my hand sometimes! The trim feature works but probably only necessary if you put you hanger out a wee bit.
Intrigued by the thought of up and down shifts on different sides with the dropper using the back button on the RH shifter, now that would take some getting used to.

So does one shifter do gears and dropper ????
I didn’t get on with mine at first either. I fitted the AXS dropper and set it up so the left shifter moves to a bigger cog, the right main shifter to a smaller cog then the top right shifter works the dropper.

It’s perfect for me like that.

I'm two rides in on mine and I'd say I'm pretty much there..... Only the occasional wrong button pressed. It's just remembering it's not a trigger...

The Reverb AXS is by far the nicest dropper I've used (and I've had pretty much all of them over the year's), AXS gears are great, seems to provide as perfect shifting as a a mech and cassette can give, every time with a button press. But cost vs mechanical xtr or eagle is huge.

So does one shifter do gears and dropper ????

You have 2 functions on the right hand controller. Pick 2 from gear up, gear down or dropper activation. But if you have a dropper and gears, you have to have both controllers.

No, you can't have 1 shifter to do both.

I really like it and I reckon the new rocker switch is a backward move - as it is wireless, there is no need for much movement - you just need to press a button and that is what the original design does. The rocker seems to have been designed to work the way a cable-operated unit would (in my mind) and I just don't see why there is any need for that as it isn't cable-operating anything.

My rear mech has a few scuff marks on it but working very well - I'm giving the picots a good skoosh of GT-85 after a wash as it did develop a bit of stick but a skoosh seems to be keeping that all working smoothly.

Tried the new paddle but didn’t really like the ergonomics. Went back to the original instead.

Considering picking up a full Eagle X01 AXS groupset, Tweeks have it for £1199 which isn’t an awful price

I've been looking at those thos week as well for the gravel bike. It's not a bad price considering the upgrade kit is £890 anywhere in the UK so by the time you add cassette and cranks it seems ok.

I was going to order a groupset from one of the German stores back in December as they had some really good prices but needless to say, I forgot!

you just need to press a button and that is what the original design does

I haven't tried the new one, but I would describe the original as a rocker paddle, certainly not buttons. It would be much better if it was 2 distinct buttons. I have had it over 12 months now, and still haven't got used to it. The new one just looks like a differently designed paddle, it doesn't look like it really addresses the basic issue of being a paddle that rocks between two switches behind it.

As great as it is mechanically I just don't think I could recommend it due to the poor ergonomics of the paddle. Given the freedom of design they had I just don't understand how they came up with something so poor.

I'm the opposite, I think it is a near-perfect design for how it should work, so clearly this works for some and not for others.

It would be much better if it was 2 distinct buttons.

One on the front and one on the back? Thumb and forefinger, Like there is now?

I see the 'up / down' thumb only action as a bonus.

If the rear button had a bigger trigger, and the front only had one function, it would be great. But position the front rocker correctly for your thumnb, and the rear switch is a reach rather than just being there. I did wonder if doing it more ergonomically that way caused problems with shimano patents.

I am a big guy, so maybe smaller hands find the paddle better, although then I would have thought the rear switch would be worse for small hands.

Holy thread resurrection Batman! 😂

All I have to add is that since going back to mechanical, I haven't regretted it at all. The shift quality of AXS was amazing, but the first ride back on mechanical reminded me just how important it is to feel "right" on the bike and not to worry about anything otherwise it can and will put you off. I've had a brief play with an updated paddle on someone elses bike, can say it's an improvement but not a significant one. Certainly I don't regret going back to mechanical.

Shame really, as in my experience SRAM really tend to get ergonomics much better than Shimano in my experience...

If you took your eagle mech and shifter off, could you use shimano 12 speed mech and shifter on the eagle cassette and chain?

You could, but you wouldn't benefit from shimanos superior shifting under load that comes from the cassette and chain.

Sram (AXS) mech & shifter, shimano cassette and chain is the best of all worlds.

Sram (AXS) mech & shifter, shimano cassette and chain is the best of all worlds

This is what I'm about to do but going for a shimano chainring too just to be sure of chain retention.

I love the electronic aspect of axs but for me the issue seems to be eagle cassettes. The shifting has always been a bit clunky and clangy and shifting up under any power is awful compared to my old 11 speed shimano. I've set the b-gap correctly using the tool while at sag point and the clunkyness is still there, have experimented with setting b-gap out of recommended spec but to no avail. So I'm hoping the shimano cassette and chain will give the smooth quiet changes I want...

While I'm here, has anyone had an axs reverb sent back under warranty recently?
Mine went back with a good 20mm of squish that couldn't be fixed with the vent valve procedure.
It went back half way through January then got word that it was going to be replaced but the bad news was that 20th April was the expected due date for a replacement. The long wait really didn't bother me, I can manage with a normal post and so didn't kick up any fuss.

But I was surprised that they seemingly didn't have any stock to send. I suppose the pandemic and brexit are obviously causing supply issues for many other brands.

Anyone here work in the industry and hearing similar wait times for axs reverb warranty?
I also wondered if there maybe an updated version possibly coming in the spring that might explain the 20th April date.

Ever since I snapped my 3rd XTR mech in a week I've avoided consumables that if they broke mid-ride and I was near a bike shop, I wouldn't just buy another (at probable full-retail) without a thought.

I'm running my AXS with a garburuk cassette and a Shimano chain. I did have a slx cassette on a different wheel set, but I can't tell any difference between them shifting wise. The garbarkuk one is a third cheaper than xtr or SRAM and is a thing of beauty (and lighter then either) - I now have one on both my wheel sets.

All I have to add is that since going back to mechanical, I haven’t regretted it at all. The shift quality of AXS was amazing, but the first ride back on mechanical reminded me just how important it is to feel “right” on the bike and not to worry about anything otherwise it can and will put you off. I’ve had a brief play with an updated paddle on someone elses bike, can say it’s an improvement but not a significant one. Certainly I don’t regret going back to mechanical.

The "not to worry about snything" does bother me, I like my bike to be solid and not to have to think about it when riding, not sure if the fear of the ruining a pricey mech would haunt me! Although I've survived the move to carbon frame and parts with no issues.

The paddle feel is the one for me that bugs me the most, I may see if any LBS have AXS on a bike on the shop floor so I can have a feel of it, maybe see if they can get close-ish to the Tweeks price and buy from them.

I love mine. Ran for a year on hardtail and then added to ebike after a month as I missed it that much.
Can’t say I’ve ever had an issue with the paddle. Front button is far forward in sitting position but it’s supposed to be a sprint button and when you’re out of the saddle it’s suddenly exactly where you want it.
If you run it on a mmx mount then try playing about with the two different mounts. I prefer them mounted more inwards than you’d expect.

My X01 groupset just arrived this morning from Tweeks.

It's still got the old type rocker on the shifter, has anyone seen stock of the upraded rocker? I can't seem to find one to try anywhere.

@notmyrealname Did it come with the 10-50 or the 10-52?

10-50

I thought the new rocker was an additional purchase rather than replacing the current design?

Possibly.

I thought they were rolling it out with newer shifters but possibly not.

Just ordered it from r2bike in Germany, its available as a "upgrade" or ships on the new shifters. Also available from Bike24 but unavailable from a large number of online retailers.

Not sure how available it will be in the UK.

Notmyrealname, ping me a message as I’ve got one you can have for a tenner. Tried it and didn’t like it.

@mattbee Cheers matey, PM coming your way!

But I was surprised that they seemingly didn’t have any stock to send. I suppose the pandemic and brexit are obviously causing supply issues for many other brands.

The warranty dept runs from the distributor stock, which is low and will remain low for some time to come.

Ah OK thanks for the info, do you work at sram?

I've been running a normal post and surprisingly haven't missed the dropper since all my local riding is mini-dh type runs with push up tracks.

But once things open back up it would be good to have it for normal riding.

Ordered the tweeks AXS kit - great value
Just need to find the SRAM EAGLE AXS ROCKER kit in stock now
Bike24 dont ship to the UK and cant see it on R2bike ?

Have you tried the existing shifter? If not, give it a bash before ordering the new rocker as it might work well for you as it is currently. (Haven't read the whole thread to see if you have already posted about this, if so, ignore my laziness)

I've just received a full XX1 AXS groupset 10-52 rainbow - came with the older shifter

edir - I see you can ore-order (expected next week) the newer paddle off Tredz for £20

Well i've just installed GX Axs on my MTB and i cant for the life of me get all the gears dialled in correctly.
I got it so the chain just drops off top ring, then the 4th ring from bottom rasps badly and occasionally jumps.
I sort that out and then the chain refuses to drop off large ring. I'm going round in circles. Its driving mr nuts.
Running and Sram NX cassette and chain

cant see it on R2bike ?

https://r2-bike.com/SRAM-Eagle-AXS-Controller-Shifter-Lever-Rocker-Paddle-black May 21 tho

Sounds like a bent mech hanger maybe...

@widge34 - got the b-tension screw adjusted properly? The mech spacing from cassette is really vital on eagle mechs...

Thanks for the suggestion, but yes its set correctly

Well i’ve just installed GX Axs on my MTB and i cant for the life of me get all the gears dialled in correctly.
I got it so the chain just drops off top ring, then the 4th ring from bottom rasps badly and occasionally jumps.

That's a bent hanger or a bent frame. My axs did the same until I put a new hanger on and it was instantly perfect. My hanger didn't look bent on first inspection, but when compared to a new hanger there was a very slight twist in it. The bent hanger also worked fine with the previous shimano 12 speed mech.

Only had the bike 5 weeks, but i have now booked it in with a bike mechanic to have a look