SRAM X9 Groupset 2x10 Speed
The awesome new X9 drivetrain from SRAM combines the best of the X0 and XX groupsets in a more robust and budget-friendly package. While you don't get the carbon cranks, the hollow aluminum X9 units are impressively stiff for their weight, coming in within 100 grams of their more expensive X0 brother. Features like the Impulse trigger shifters, X-Glide technology and GXP bottom bracket with the new Gutter Seal design provide incredible performance that would have been at a World Cup level only a couple of seasons ago, and make the new X9 components very hard to beat at their pricepoint. And with the new 10 speed design being applied to the wide-range cassette and double-chainring crankset, there has never been a better time to experience the shifting quality that SRAM X9 has to offer.
Far from simply adding a cog in the cassette and removing a chainring off a traditional 3x9 drivetrain, the 10 speed system has been engineered to provide a more usable range of gears that are smoother and require less front shifting. By increasing the range on the cassette up to a 36t big cog (from 32/34t on 9 speed cassettes) SRAM were able to use a double-specific crankset thanks to the bigger spread of gears out back. There are 2 ratios available for the crankset; 39/26t and 42/28t, depending on whether you need lower gearing for steep climbs or prefer a taller ratio for smashing the descents. While these ratios may seem higher than your usual 3x9 drivetrain, the beauty about the narrow 10 speed chain and tighter chainline of the 2-ring crankset means you can use the full range of gears on the cassette from each chainring - so you stay in one gear up front for longer. Sure you may not have the super low gearing of a 22t granny, or the fireroad cruising 44t chainring that you have on a traditional 3x9 drivetrain, but the total range is very close and the shifting is much smoother and faster on the 10 speed. For riders who just can't do without those extremes however, the X9 groupset is also available in a 3x10 version.
X-Glide Technology
Designed as an integral part of the chainrings, cassette, chain and front derailleur, the X-Glide system incorporates very specific chainring ratios, shift gates, ramps and pins to create the fastest shifting drivetrain available. Traditional chainring geometry forces a compromise between up and down shift locations, none of which have ideal timing. In fact, half of the possible shift locations are skipped on each crank revolution. The more shift locations you try to incorporate, the worse the timing compromise will be: either your chain jams, causing chain suck, or the chain just fails to shift and runs across the top of the rings until it hits the next shift location. Those days are over with X-Glide.
X-Glide is the common denominator that gives X0 and X9 their unmatched shifting performance. With X-Glide, all four upshift locations are identical and can be picked up by any outer link. The result? Up and down shift locations have perfect timing, for an almost instant shift—even under load!
From SRAM:
"Engineered to Endure. From steep, endless climbs to hair-raising, technical descents, X9 is engineered to handle whatever comes your way. Smooth, precise shifting helps you cover more ground, faster. The lightweight, stiff and always reliable crankset lets you maintain your momentum through the rough stuff. Whether you’re sprinting for the finish or tackling an all-day epic, your best ride starts with X9.".
The SRAM X9 Groupset includes:
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Technology: X-Glide, Exact Actuation
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SRAM X9 Crankset
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SRAM X9 Shifters
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Front X9 Derailleur
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Rear X9 Derailleur; Medium cage for 2x10 setups
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SRAM PC-1091 10 speed Chain
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SRAM X9 10 speed Cassette PG-1070
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Includes the GXP Team Bottom Bracket with GutterSeal technology
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Colours: Grey or White
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Total System Weight: 2066 grams (including BB)
Choosing your X9 Drivetrain
With a number of different available options to suit different frames and different riding conditions, you will need to select the necessary components for your bike and riding style.
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Crank Length: Coming in both 170mm and 175mm lengths for different length legs, most riders will need the standard 175mm option. Riders under 5'6" should choose the shorter 170mm length.
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Chainring Ratio: X9 Cranks are available in a smaller 39/26t ratio that will suit 29er bikes, trail riders and those who frequent steep terrain. For flatter trails or powerful XC riders, the larger 42/28t ratio will provide a higher gear, at the expense of a smaller chainring for steep climbing.
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Bottom Bracket: The majority of frames on the market are designed around a standard threaded bottom bracket shell, though many modern bikes are now coming with a press-fit bearing system. The standard GXP axle (24mm) fits regular threaded bottom brackets with the addition of the GXP Team BB. It will also fit pressfit bottom brackets that use GXP bearings or Shimano bearings with a GXP adapter. BB30 relies on a larger diameter bottom bracket axle (30mm) that requires a BB30 specific frame. Unless you have a BB30 frame, choose the standard GXP crankset.
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Front Derailleur Clamp: The X9 front derailleur comes in 4 different mount options. Low (Top Swing) & High (Bottom Swing) mounts use a standard band-style clamp that wraps around the seat tube and come in both 31.8mm or 34.9mm diameters. E-Type Direct Mount (referred to as S3 in SRAM speak or as "lower direct mount) uses two lower mounting holes that bolt onto the frame instead of a clamp like a traditional high/low mount front derailleur. Direct Mount (sometimes referred to as "upper direct mount") uses a single bolt to attach to the seat tube of the frame above the crankset. Check with your frame manufacturer to determine which model you require.
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Front Derailleur Cable Pull: Bottom or Top pull refers to the direction that the front derailleur cable is routed. If the cable comes up from under the bottom bracket shell, it is a Bottom Pull. If the cable comes down from above the seat tube, it is a Top Pull.
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Cassette Ratio: While most riders will choose the wider 11-36t cassette ratio for maximum gear range, the X9 cassette is also available in a tighter 11-32t ratio for even faster and slicker shifting. However, you do lose some low end gears so this ratio would be recommended for smoother terrain with less elevation.
Get onto the latest SRAM X9 components for slick XX inspired performance and exceptional value