GX AXS Upgrade Kit [Rider Review]

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Let's face it. We all know electronic shifting is pretty rad, especially when there's no wires attached. Unfortunately, the prices weren't that rad. But, since SRAM released GX AXS at a lower price point, it has made AXS much more accessible! This customer has been testing out the GX AXS, see what they think!

Overview

When young, you get tired of hearing “back in my day” or “I don’t need this new technology” and you tell yourself that that will never be you…until it is. I’ll admit I was a little slow to add a dropper on my bike, but now I will never own a bike without one. It opens doors I didn’t know existed beforehand. But can wireless shifting really be that big of a deal, this must be a money grab, and what about batteries dying or falling out. My cable shifting worked just fine; sure it needed some tension adjustment occasionally or a new cable entirely when stretched or ripped out, but that’s part of the regular maintenance, right? These were some of my thoughts since SRAM released AXS. Honestly, I had no plans on going wireless until the GX AXS went on sale at Worldwide Cyclery. Then my brain started thinking, why not, can it be that bad if so many others are using it. Plus, it looks pretty cool! So, I put the SRAM Eagle GX AXS Derailleur Upgrade Kit in my cart and clicked Submit. From there, the rest is history.

Using the App:

The app is simple, not much to it, but useful. Pairing the derailleur and shifter was simple and quick. The app gives you a few, although not many, options to customize your shifting. You can switch which paddle downshifts or upshifts, while also choosing how many gears to shift when the paddle is held down (can do two, three, or all gears). You can also see the micro adjust setting if that matters to you. Overall, the app is essentially a set it and forget it one, there is not much need once set up. Setup and Initial Impressions:

Like any derailleur, the SRAM Eagle GX AXS Derailleur installed easily, that’s no surprise. What was surprising was how easily I was able to get it dialed in and shifting smoothly. I am far from a bike mechanic and derailleurs have always “scared” me with all the mico-adjustments necessary for a properly shifting bike, but with the help of the B gap tool and watching a few videos the shifting was quick, consistent and smooth. To be honest, the derailleur comes pretty dialed in. The shifting while not perfect was almost 90% of the way there, just requiring some minor micro adjustments. After a quick test ride to confirm the shifting, I was done.

Final Thoughts

Now I switched over from Shimano so I was curious to see if I would notice any difference between the two. I had heard that Shimano was a smoother and quieter shift, and after riding a little on the SRAM I would agree. Shimano, with its hyperglide system, seems to shift smoother and a little quieter. Granted, SRAM is not loud or super clanky, it just isn’t quiet. None of this makes me regret the buy or want to go back to Shimano though. As long as the battery does not die, I think this will be a big benefit on the trails since I will no longer need to worry about a cable stretching and effecting my shifts. For those with SRAM components already, this is an easy switch, and for those with Shimano…well I’ve seen it work with their drivetrain even if the two companies say it doesn't. Regardless, add it to your cart on Worldwide Cyclery and give it a try!