Now that the SRAM Eagle 1×12 groups offer a complete lineup from entry level up to top of the line, we wanted to see what the difference is between NX, GX, X01 and XX1 groups. Is it worth upgrading from NX to GX? What about X01 to XX1? Why is one part better or lighter than the other? We answer all that and more in this video, showing how the cranks, cassettes, shifters, derailleurs and chains differ as you move up the line.
The video provides the complete overview, but here’s the nutshell bullet point version of how each SRAM Eagle component improves as you go from NX to GX to X01 to XX1:
SRAM Eagle Cranks Comparison
All Eagle cranks now come with their DUB spindle and direct-mount chainrings, which have X-Sync tooth profiles optimized for the 12-speed chain.
- NX: Forged 6000-series alloy arms with stamped steel chainring
- GX: Upgrades to lighter 7000-series arms and stamped alloy chainring
- X01: Upgrades to carbon fiber arms and CNC machined alloy chainrings to save weight and increase stiffness.
- XX1: Upgrades to hollow carbon fiber arms with one-piece spindle+insert, with additional machining inside spindle and on chainring to save more weight.
SRAM Eagle Derailleur Comparison
All Eagle rear derailleurs work the same way and have their clutch with Cage Lock features. The main differences are in materials used, and the top-level derailleurs have tighter tolerances and more precise manufacturing and assembly methods to improve longevity.
- NX: Standard steel pins riveted into place, stamped steel pulley cage.
- GX: Upgrades to steel pins with bushings and C-clips for smoother, more durable action.
- X01: Upgrades to an alloy outer pulley cage and revised parallelogram arms to save weight.
- XX1: Upgrades to ti bolts, stainless steel pins, and a carbon outer pulley cage to save weight.
SRAM Eagle Shifter Comparison
The shifters’ internals are virtually identical across the range, so it’s mainly materials and adjustability improvements as you move up. All are available in eMTB versions with single click downshifts, too.
- NX: Full plastic construction, but is the lightest shifter with Matchmaker mounts. Also, the only shifter offered with a standard fixed bar clamp mount.
- GX: Upgrades to alloy lower body.
- X01: Upgrades to adjustable thumb shifter lever, letting you adjust the starting position and an alloy upper cover.
- XX1: Upgrades to a carbon fiber upper cover, keeps the adjustable thumb lever.
SRAM Eagle Cassette Comparison
The cassettes have the most dramatic differences, using three different construction methods across the four options. All are 12-speed, and the top three require an XD driver body on your rear hub. Only the NX Eagle cassette fits on a standard splined freehub body.
- NX: Standard stamped steel cogs, and other than the three-cog cluster at the top, each are individual pieces with plastic spacers between them, offering 11-50 range.
- GX: Upgrades to a one-piece construction with all cogs pinned together, and increases to 10-50 range.
- X01: Upgrades to a one-piece hollow machined steel main cluster with alloy 50-tooth cog pressed onto the back. Premium black and coating to reduce friction and increase durability.
- XX1: Same construction as X01 cassette, upgrades to PVD gold Ti-Nitride-like coating to improve corrosion resistance and durability.
SRAM Eagle Chain Comparison
If you’re looking to get the biggest durability bang for your buck, look to the chains. SRAM’s product managers told us the difference from NX up to X01/XX1 chains can be 2x the lifespan. Not just total lifespan, but the performance will be better for longer throughout that lifespan, too. All Eagle chains use their Flow Link construction to remove sharp edges from the inside of the plates, making shifting smooth and quiet in both directions, and they all come with their Eagle-specific Power Link quick connect.
- NX: Standard steel plates and solid pins.
- GX: Upgrades to chrome treatment on the pins to increase strength. I misspoke in the video, this chain still has solid pins…not hollow ones.
- X01: Upgrades to Hard Chrome plate and pin treatment to drastically increase total strength and reduce the wear that’s typically considered “chain stretch”, and gets hollow pins to save weight. Black Ti-Nitride treatment reduces friction and helps prevent corrosion.
- XO1: Upgrades to a slightly more corrosion resistant gold treatment, otherwise exactly the same as X01 chain.
SRAM Eagle Group Weight Comparison
| NX Eagle | GX Eagle | X01 Eagle | XX1 Eagle* | |
| Crankset | 698g | 632g | 520g | 493g |
| Rear Derailleur | 340g | 290g | 276g | 265g |
| Cassette | 612g | 448g | 354g | 360g |
| Trigger Shifter | 111g | 122g | 124g | 124g |
| Chain | 271g | 262g | 260g | 260g |
| TOTAL | 2032g | 1,754g | 1,534g | 1,502g |
| DIFFERENCE | +530g | +252g | +32g | — |
*All groups are weighed with stock 32-tooth chainrings and DUB cranksets except XX1 Eagle, which is weighed with the original non-DUB 30mm spindle version.
SRAM Eagle Price Comparison
| NX Eagle | GX Eagle | X01 Eagle | XX1 Eagle* | |
| CRANKSET | $105 | $120 | $390 | $425 |
| DERAILLEUR | $107 | $110 | $220 | $289 |
| SHIFTER | $42 | $40 | $127 | $162 |
| CASSETTE | $100 | $195 | $360 | $420 |
| CHAIN | $26 | $30 | $60 | $85 |
| TOTAL | $380 | $495 | $1,157 | $1,381 |
Pricing shown for lowest priced option, which is typically the standard configuration with normal mountain bike spindle. The fat bike spindle costs a little more. That’s the complete SRAM Eagle group overview. Check out our individual coverage and first ride reports for each group at these links:
- NX Eagle overview and first rides
- GX Eagle overview and first rides
- X01 Eagle weigh-in and install
- XX1 Eagle weigh in, install and first impressions
- Eagle 12-speed introduction
- Eagle 12-speed tech overview
