The new SRAM GX Eagle group gets a few updates, improving both function and looks, making it fully compatible with the new 520% range Eagle cassettes they’ve just launched.
The rest of the Eagle family gets a new Copper color, adding a fourth hue to the XO1 and XX1 level drivetrains. As always, all parts from these three top end 12-speed mountain bike groups are interchangeable. Here’s all the details…
2021 GX Eagle 12-speed group
The biggest structural change on the new GX group is the updated pulley cage on the rear derailleur. Optimized to work with the new 10-52 cassettes, it more robust and has a repositioned upper pulley wheel.
SRAM says the stronger cage improves chain management and shift precision. The upper pulley sits ~2mm further back from the cage’s pivot point on the lower knuckle, which helps it clear the larger 52-tooth cog more easily.
Aesthetically, the entire group gets a makeover in Lunar & Black, as well as updated graphics that help it match the other Eagle groups and parts. The overall impression is now one of higher quality, and it blends into more bikes better without the original GX group’s light gray logo and graphics.
SRAM says the GX alloy cranks are their best alloy mountain bike cranks on offer. But, there’s also a GX-level carbon crank with a claimed weight of 555g (about 80+ grams lighter than the alloy ones, see actual weights below). Retail for this one will be $275.
The shifters carry over unchanged save for color and graphics. There’s a single-click trigger offered for e-bikes (limits the big lever to one shift at a time to prevent binding things up when the motor is laying down the power), as well as a Gripshift version.
All parts are backwards compatible, but you’ll need this new derailleur if you want the best performance when adding a larger 10-52 cassette. Check out this post to see why.
Visual comparison between GX Eagle groups
The new GX group has a higher end finish and raised chromed logo on the rear derailleur. The pulley cage is more robust with a front section wrapping around the lower pulley.
On the bike, it’s a little harder to tell much of a difference at a glance. The 50-tooth cog, when it first debuted, seemed monstrous compared to the prior 42 max. So, a simple 2-tooth increase nowadays hardly stands out.
At least until you need to use it going up a climb, anyway. Check out our first impressions and ride review in the Eagle 10-52 launch coverage.
2021 GX Eagle actual weights
The new Eagle GX parts’ actual weights are:
- 299g – rear derailleur ($125)
- 452g – 10-52 cassette ($215)
- 633g – alloy crankset w/ 175mm arms and 32-tooth X-Sync chainring ($135-$185)
- 76g – DUB BSA threaded bottom bracket with spacers
- 121g – GX Eagle shifter ($45)
- 272g – GX Eagle chain ($33)
A complete group will set you back $545.
XX1 and X01 get new 10-52 derailleurs & cassettes, too
The XX1 and X01 groups also get the new 10-52 cassettes. And the mechanical derailleurs see the same pulley cage upgrades as GX, with stronger cages and offset upper pulley wheels. They both also get fresh graphics across the way, along with the…
New SRAM Eagle Copper colorway
Black, Gold, Rainbow Oil Slick…and now Copper. The 10-52 cassette is $449 (€457 / £408), and the chain retails for $85 (€90 / £80). All parts and groups should be available in June 2020.
