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SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS BlackBox prototype, intimately…
Sep
SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS BlackBox prototype
We first bought a have a look at SRAM’s not-so-secret-anymore Eagle AXS derailleur with no hanger final week, following N1N0’s document tenth XC World Championship title. After which once more on the as-yet-unreleased BMC Fourstroke XC bike that coincidentally additionally appears to have given away the coming quickly timing for the brand new SRAM equipment. And now Nino Schurter has earned an eighth total World Cup collection title in Val di Sole, placing himself and his Scott Spark RC again on high of the UCI XCO podium.
All-new direct-mount no-UDH hangerless derailleur
BlackBox Eagle AXS derailleur prototype (l) vs. present XX1 Eagle AXS (r)
We’ve clearly talked about the dearth of a derailleur hanger in SRAM’s new direct-mount BlackBox Eagle AXS derailleur prototype. And we additionally described how it’s lacking hello/lo restrict screws… and perhaps even the B-tension screw (learn what which means right here.)
But it surely’s additionally value noting that this BlackBox Eagle AXS derailleur apparently doesn’t stand out from the body as a lot (like a Shimano Shadow derailleur) AND it sits a lot additional ahead.
The define above is the present Eagle AXS derailleur’s place on the present Scott Spark RC with the already compact SRAM common derailleur hanger (UDH). Shifting up and ahead (& inboard?) means this prototype derailleur is best protected against impacts AND it will get extra chain wrap across the cogs. That seemingly means improved chain retention with much less chain pressure, which suggests much less drivetrain drag, i.e. free watts!
Canyon rider c. Val di Sole, picture by Michel Modini
We additionally get the sensation that this BlackBox derailleur additionally ditches the mechanical Sort 3 Curler clutch and replaces it with the hydraulically-damped clutch we discovered a SRAM patent on 4 years in the past.
The form of the P-knuckle on this prototype derailleur is totally new, with a extra cylindrical form and no outboard instrument bolt head to entry.
Curiously, this dusty entrance racing view makes some black masking tape seen on the highest of the outer parallelogram, suggesting that even Nino’s prototype already has some manufacturing naming or graphics being lined up in the interim,
New Eagle SL cassette 10-52T gearing
We already broke down the brand new development of the prototype Eagle 12-speed cassette – 3 higher alloy cogs pinned to the center (eleventh) cog as their provider, plus a machined X-Dome cluster of the remaining 9 gears.
What we now additionally see are revised gear ratios for the BlackBox SRAM Eagle SL cassette. Total gearing is similar 520% with 10-52T cogs, however the spacing is tighter for smoother shifts in these best gears. Now, the 52 will step to a 44 then a 38 (in comparison with the present 52-42-36) so riders can preserve a smoother cadence up steep inclines. That successfully implies that the tenth & eleventh gears can be a bit simpler as nicely, probably making them extra versatile. The decrease 10-32 cogs seem unchanged.
The brand new smoother steps are extra like these of the unique 10-50T Eagle days, however whereas conserving the broader total vary.
Eagle SL MTB FlatTop T-Sort chain
The brand new Eagle FlatTop chain takes Purple’s larger-roller flat-topped chain to the following stage with lighter, hollowed-out facet plates. It additionally will get a brand new T-Sort designation to remind you that it’ll not be backward appropriate with different Eagle 12-speed cassettes (or perhaps even most chainrings?)
We don’t actually see something extra, however it does have a FlatTop-shaped PowerLock fast hyperlink. However that’s nothing new as the identical form is already shared by SRAM Purple & XX1.
Subsequent-gen SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS SL coming quickly!
We don’t have any official phrase from SRAM apart from the usual sort of ‘after all, the world’s finest professionals riders are testing and serving to to develop the following drivetrain advances’ replies. However… BMC’s countdown timer on their new Fourstroke teaser touchdown web page has a cropped picture of a extra polished, seemingly production-ready hangerless SRAM derailleur. And their launch date is October 5, 2022.
Lower than one month to go, now… keep tuned!
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