SRAM Eagle 90 [Rider Review]

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for.

When SRAM launched T-Type AXS, mechanical fans felt left behind—until now. Check out what our customer says about the new SRAM Eagle 90 drivetrain!

Overview

When SRAM first released AXS Transmission, I was super interested in the system, but I absolutely refused to run electronics on my mountain bike. I never wanted to charge a battery to ensure my bike would work, and I still don't. I prefer something simple—put some air in the tires, hop on, and go. So, as soon as the cable version of the Transmission came out, I ordered it the next day.

I've heard mixed reviews on the Eagle 90, especially from some YouTubers who don't share my opinion about the derailleur, cassette, and chain combo performance. Setting it up is definitely different from a normal Eagle groupset because there are no limit screws, B-tension adjustments, or anything similar. The setup process is fairly straightforward if you watch the SRAM video and follow the steps, though the step about turning the barrel adjuster until it quiets down is somewhat vague.

Set Up:

However, I had no issues with the setup. I literally threw this thing on, following the instructions, tightened the barrel adjuster a few turns, and it was shifting perfectly straight out of the garage.

Riding Impressions

I've put about 75 miles on it so far, and it is impressively good. Living in Western Washington, some of the technical climbs and trails here require frequent gear changes. It’s incredibly nice to bang through gears without having to let off the pedal pressure—the shifting is flawless every time without skipping a beat.

I've already smacked the derailleur pretty hard a handful of times, but haven't needed to get off and reset it. From what I gather, resetting is only required after a really hard impact. I also love the clutch on the derailleur; it has significantly quieted my bike down compared to the GX groupset I've been running for the last couple of years.

The shifter seems to attract criticism in some reviews I've seen, but I honestly have no issues with it since I've always used GX. The paddles have a nice feel, and it’s easy to cycle through gears without straining my thumb. I did have to fabricate a small offset piece to position my shifter further inboard since I run my brake levers pretty far inboard, have larger hands, and dislike when the shifter sits against my thumb knuckle.

The GX-level cassette looks rad for what it’s worth and has received plenty of compliments already. I opted to build my kit instead of getting the complete Eagle 90 kit, mainly due to the weight of the cranks and chainring included with the kit. I went with a 5Dev chainring since they and Wolf Tooth are the only two manufacturers I know of making T-type chainrings compatible with 3-bolt Eagle cranks. I highly recommend this setup, particularly if you prefer compatibility with other 3-bolt cranks in the future.

I'm a fan of "less is more," especially regarding standards. The 8-bolt standard on Transmission cranks seems unnecessary. Additionally, I chose this route because the chainring that comes with Transmission cranks has a 0mm offset and a 55mm chainline. After some research, I followed recommendations to stick with a 3mm offset to maintain a 52mm chainline. Since I spend most of my time climbing steep forest service roads in my two lowest gears, the 3mm offset suits my needs perfectly.

Final Thoughts

Overall, SRAM's cable version of Transmission has exceeded my expectations. It delivers reliable, crisp shifting under load, reduces drivetrain noise significantly, and provides impressive durability. For anyone hesitant about electronic components but seeking the performance benefits of SRAM's latest technology, the Eagle 90 setup is a fantastic choice.