SRAM GX Eagle Groupset [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.

In late Spring 2020, SRAM released the newly updated SRAM GX Eagle 10-52 group-set.  It has a new look, updated workings and offers the biggest range to date at 520%!  Do the 2 extra teeth really matter? Amato gives his Maine approved review below! 

Introduction

Like anything else, a bike is only as good as the sum of its parts. This was my first bike build and I just so happened to chance upon a brand new Yeti SB66 on sale. Like the frame, I built the complete bike using last year's parts to save money. However, there is an exception and that is the SRAM GX Eagle 52 tooth Groupset. Actually, there are two exceptions as a seller ran out of the 2019 Fox 36 and upgraded me to the Fox 38 for the same discounted price, but that review has already been posted on that merchant's website so I digress.

Picking SRAM GX

I waited for months to see if the SRAM Eagle GX 50T Groupset would go on sale with the launch of the brand new SRAM Eagle GX 52T Groupset. I looked day after day in hopes of that price drop. Nothing! Even as I write, the price for the 50 tooth and 52 tooth are the same. I said, "hell with it" and just as I was about to pull the trigger...170mm or 175mm cranksets? Damn it! Thankfully, Worldwide Cyclery throws out knowledge packed videos breaking down of all their gear! The decision became final upon listening to this sentence, "I choose 170mm because I do not like my knees going up to my chest when I pedal".

Best Transmission with a lesson in Marketing?

As this blog has a 450 word minimum, I will take a moment on the packaging as only SRAM (out of all the bike parts I have ordered in the last four months) can put a package together that aspires to be marketing majors or package engineers, as there is such a thing, wet dream. They layered the parts individually in this gorgeous blood red box to unveil Christmas after Christmas of the best transmission you will ever buy! Did I say "best transmission"? Can 2 extra teeth (1 extra tooth if you are riding the latest and greatest from the good old fishing company, Shimano) make that big of a difference?

Well, take it from me as I am from Maine, two extra teeth make all the difference and we're not just talking bike parts...

The cassette is noticeably larger than SRAM's previous Eagle 50T cassette as it takes up about three-quarters of the rear wheel; it kind of looks like those old school Olympic bikes that you can only find black and white pictures of. However, it's like pedaling on clouds. Seriously, it makes hiking look difficult!

The Final Conclusion 

The installation of the SRAM Eagle GX Groupset was as easy as pedaling in granny gear. SRAM puts out just as stellar "How To" videos as WWC puts out "buy this gear" videos and with ease and know how I had the transmission installed and running faster than I could answer the question, "Why is the Reverb Dropper Post so hard to install?" Buy this groupset and love every ride.