First Look: the SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed groupset
The SRAM NX Eagle has been launched and it’s the most affordable yet! Get all the info you need below.
When SRAM introduced Eagle technology, they revolutionized the MTB world and did so because of the lightweight, robust and intuitive 1x drivetrain. Now, with the NX Eagle groupset, riders looking for a way to get 12-speeds at a great price and no hassle can do so. Finally, there is a way for everyday riders to increase their range without burning a hole in their wallet.
Design & facts
The entire groupset has a clean look as well as a high-quality feel with a black finish and subtle decals. It is filled with technologies from its predecessors like FLOW LINK, X-ACUTUATION, X-HORIZON, X-SYNC 2 and DUB. These ensure that the NX works just a well as SRAM’s higher-end Eagle groupsets. Another great feature is that all the NX parts are compatible with other Eagle drivetrains. So anyone looking for well-priced wear & tear parts, will find them in the NX.
Cassette & chain
The black NX cassette is the crown jewel of the groupset. It has a range from 11-50 t, perfect for every trail and weighs in at 615 g. The best part about the cassette is not needing an XD driver to mount it. It works great on classic 8-, 9-, 10-, and 11-speed spline cassettes. The forged steel sprockets are especially hard wearing and should last quite some time.
Note: The NX cassette is approved for E-bikes, meaning that all SRAM Eagle groupsets are also compatible.
The huge range of the cassette and the individual gear jumps meet a great compromise between the perfect cadence and input torque on the crank axle. Having the proper relation between cadence and torque helps save power in both legs and E-bike batteries. The silver NX Eagle chain is also compatible with all Eagle products, is outfitted with a PowerLock master link and ensures perfect shifts as well as smooth pedalling.
Cranks & chainring
The new NX cranks are made of 6000 series aluminium and look very clean. They come in the new DUB standard which means the axle has a diameter of 28.99 mm. The new NX chainrings are made of steel and feature X-SYNC 2 tech. The chainrings are, like all other NX parts, compatible with all Eagle components and come ready to install on Direct Mount cranks.
The NX cranks match my bike very well.
The cranks come in the new DUB standard.
Sleek and direct mount, these cranks check all the boxes.
Rear derailleur & trigger shifter
SRAM keeps the looks simple here as well, with the entire rear derailleur being black with a white Eagle decal being the only indication of its 12-speed capabilities. The derailleur is based on the X-HORIZON design, which prevent ghost shifting and minimises the power required to shift. The offset of the upper derailleur pulley and the pivot point ensure a constant chain distance. This helps with faster and more exact shifts.
The derailleur cage with its Type 3 ROLLER BEARING CLUTH prevent the chain slap in rough terrain.
The NX Eagle trigger can be attached to various types of brakes with the Matchmaker X to keep the bars clean, but it is available in a classic clamp version as well.
The derailleur features trickle-down tech from the top-tier Eagle groupsets.
The trigger is actually the lightest Eagle shifter out there.
Conversion from 2x10 to 1x12
As previously mentioned, the NX cassette is compatible with 8-, 9- and 10-speed spline freehub bodies. This means that converting to a 1x drivetrain does not require a new wheel or XD freehub anymore!
One of our mechanics, Robert, helped me convert my bike.
Switching from 2x to 1x was easy to do.
Don't forget, DUB is compatible across the board.
All you have to do is put the cassette on your current freehub and change out the rest of the parts as well. It’s as simple as that. The new DUB tech is forward and backwards compatible, meaning you can find the right bottom bracket that fits your frame, no problem. Even older MTBs with 2x or even 3x groupsets can be converted to 1x NX Eagle.
The NX cassette doesn't need an XD driver.
More range!
Setting up the rear derailleur was also a breeze.
Eagle your E-bike
When developing the PG-1230 NX cassette, SRAM kept the compatibility with E-bikes in mind. This resulted in the NX being the first Eagle cassette to be approved for the increased forces applied by E-MTBs.
The NX can also be used to upgrade your E-bike.
This is all that is needed.
Exchanging the trigger and rear derailleur is simple
Because the NX cassette is compatible with all other Eagle groupsets, E-MTB riders can now ride any level of Eagle they want. To go with that, there is also going to be an E-MTB specific NX trigger shifter that reduces each shift to one per click. For the first time, there is now a 1x drivetrain with enough range for E-MTBs!
Note: those whose bikes have a Shimano Steps motor, need to change out their chainring as well for the 104 mm BCD SRAM X-Sync 2 Eagle version.
The cassette is stacked on the freehub.
Once everything is installed, all that's left to do is make some adjustments.
An E-MTB with the E-bike approved NX Eagle groupset.
Availability & test
The new NX Eagle groupset will be available starting mid/late August. I however, am lucky enough to start testing it now and plan on riding it hard. When the groupset is ready to hit the market in full force, I will have a comprehensive review for you to check out. All I can say right now, is the first few kilometres where great and the NX Eagle groupset flies as high as the rest of the Eagle series!
| Rear Derailleur | Cassette | Chain | Shifter | Crankset | |
| SRAM NX Eagle | 339 g | 615 g | 278 g (126 Glieder) | 112 g | 705 g (32t) |
| SRAM GX Eagle | 290 g | 450 g | 270 g (126 Glieder) | 122 g | 621 g (32t) |
| SRAM X0 Eagle | 276 g | 355 g | 250 g (126 Glieder) | 126 g | 471 g (32t) |
| SRAM XX Eagle | 264 g | 355 g | 250 g (126 Glieder) | 122 g | 422 g (34t) |
The NX Eagle is super shreddy!
