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I've got a SRAM AXS Rival 2x12 speed setup. For reasons beyond my control I've had to use it for CX this season, wasn't the plan but here we are - only changed the 2x rings with a 1x ring from China (not actually cheap either, I just couldn't find any other 107BCD 1x rings, this one) and removed the FD.
I've had two races ruined by the chain getting clogged a then refusing to stay on the chainring. First time was on the last lap - I crossed my fingers after that hoping it was a one-off, but it started first lap on Sunday. Lots of cursing and running...
Anyway, is the whole MTB world about to experience this with the new SRAM groupsets, or is it just me?
Talking to a few people after the race, they reckon that flat top is known for it, and that a Shimano 12 speed will work fine despite the roller diameter differences, so that's my first plan. I've used Shimano MTB 12 speed in mud baths before and it was fine.
Could it be the chainring? Probably contributes, but doesn't look massively different to other Shimano, SRAM, Superstar you name it chainrings that I've never seen this with.
Also, I wax my chain. Can't really see how that could be a problem, but you never know.
And could it be the wrong type of mud?
Talking to a few people after the race, they reckon that flat top is known for it
Not heard it myself, and I know someone with it who was deliberate shoddy with both lube and set up for a bit just to see how it faired in shitty weather and conditions, and he said it was annoyingly unfazed, and he lives and rides in the Chilts where the mud is pretty awful lumpy-sticky clay
I’ve got them on mountain and gravel (XO and Rival), and had them both in really filthy conditions including a muddy 40 miles today on the gravel bike: neither have never missed a beat so far.
I’d be skeptical of the weird chainring
Yeah, I am too. Not really wanting to throw good money after bad though, but so far it seems it's just me here, so... That said, the chainring doesn't look wildly different to others, and I'm not too keen on a chain that is so screwed by a particular chainring.
Only issues I’ve had with the flat top on 1x is with narrow wide chain rings in cx races with exactly what you describe. They just clog with grassy mud around the nw chainring teeth and don’t want to sit. Fine on plain steel chainrings.
Possibly because the higher spec SRAM chains have really tight tolerances hence why they last so long and not as efficient initially as a new Shimano chain, this according to ZFC. So together with waxing there's going to be so little gap in the chain it might mean it gets clogged up more easily. Also the chainring.
If I understand correctly, have you gone from 2x12 to 1x12, whilst keeping the same mech?
Don't know about what mech is used for 2x12 AXS, but its certainly different when changing 2x11 to 1x11 mechanical ... I assume partly due to mech capacity, but also the clutch needed for a 1x set up?
Also, did you resize the chain?
If I understand correctly, have you gone from 2×12 to 1×12, whilst keeping the same mech?
Yep, SRAM claim AXS mechs are good for 1x and 2x (the XPLR version is just higher capacity). Anyway, the chain has been fine in the dry on all sorts of courses, this is more a low speed claggy thing.