Words: Matt Phillips Photos: Jonathan Pushnik
If you’re looking to dabble in the dark art of mountain biking, chances are you’ll be looking at a bike with SRAM NX components – and that is no bad thing.
CASSETTE ($124.95 // 537g)
The NX cassette costs almost 50 percent less than SRAM’s next-least-expensive GX 10-42 cassette and is a hell of a lot cheaper than the most expensive, the XX1. It is considerably heavier, and with 11-42 cogs, it has less range. But it mounts to a standard hub driver, making it easier and cheaper to upgrade a 2x bike (with the 10-42 cassettes, SRAM’s XD hub driver is required). Shifts are on par with XX1: fast, precise, and reasonably smooth. After a month of riding, the cassette is showing minimal wear.
CRANKSET ($239.95 // 723g – 30T RING)
As far as making the bike go, the NX crank works, and the included chain ring provides good retention. I still recommend a mini-guide, which weighs as little as 40 grams, for all 1x bikes other than a weight weenie’s hardtail. As good as the retention is, it’s still possible to bounce a chain off, and a guide keeps the chain on the ring when the rear wheel is out for a flat repair. If you buy an NX crank aftermarket, it comes with an integrated spider and cannot accept direct-mount chain rings or a chain ring smaller than 30-tooth. But cranks that come on complete bikes may have a removable spider with more options.
DERAILLEUR ($119.95 // 316g)
I’ve ridden all of SRAM’s 1×11 derailleurs and, when they’re new, I can’t tell a bit of difference between them – including the XX1 version. The NX is the heaviest (about 71 grams more than an XX1), and it may wear faster because of its lower-cost materials. But it shifted quickly and precisely with no drop-off in performance through a month of hard use that included a few crashes. It works so well, I bought an NX rear derailleur to replace a broken derailleur on my XX1-equipped personal bike.
SHIFTER ($49.95 // 103g)
I tested the NX Grip Shift twist shifter, and with my shiny happy hat on, I say it is light-action and directs each shift precisely. When my grumpy hat is on, I say it is cheap-feeling. Really, it’s all of those things: functions great, feels meh. SRAM also offers an NX trigger shifter (shown) that works well, but it’s not compatible with SRAM’s Matchmaker X integrated clamps system for controls (which allows brake, shifter, and dropper controls to mount to one clamp, opening up more bar space). It also doesn’t have SRAM’s ZeroLoss feature, which takes up cable slack to eliminate dead throw in the paddles.
CHAIN
$39.95 // 273g
To cut costs on chains, manufacturers forgo things like hollow pins and links (which save weight) and coatings and treatments that make chains shinier, tougher, and more corrosion-resistant. The PC-1110 chain SRAM recommends for NX is plain gray, with solid pins and links. But it has worn well and performed its duties as well as SRAM’s higher-end stuff. And because it hasn’t had premium hardening treatments, it actually may be gentler on your cassette and ring than a more expensive chain.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
* SRAM’s fifth, and least expensive, 1×11 mountain bike drivetrain.
* Complete group weighs 2,105 grams (as tested, with bottom bracket and Grip Shift) compared with 1,553 grams (claimed) for the comparable XX1 group.
* The black finish and clean graphics look nice on almost any bike – these are not cheap-looking components. All parts compatible with SRAM’s other 1×11 groups.
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