Wireless Shifting - SRAM GX AXS Review - Is it worth it?

We have passed this bike around, driven it across the PNW in terrible weather, ridden it through moondust, mud and snow in the name of this SRAM GX AXS Review. Without a doubt the SRAM GX AXS wireless upgrade kit has been one of the coolest bits of gear we’ve tested in 2021. No matter who’s on board or what we’re doing to the bike, the electronic SRAM GX AXS stuff just works. The durability, performance and simplicity of use all make this stuff easy to recommend, if you’re willing to drop the coin.

The GX AXS derailleur is just as water and dust proof as the higher end X01 and XX1 units, we don’t think it shifted any slower than those units and still held up to impacts and abuse thanks to SRAM’s Overload impact technology. As long as your derailleur hanger is straight, your chain isn’t bent and you’ve got all the teeth on your cassette in good shape, this system will shift without worry mile after mile. Battery life was pretty solid on this unit and we’re still running the original battery in the shifter. Cold temps and long road trips with the battery installed could affect battery range a bit. Since the system is motion activated, you may want to pull the battery out for long road trips to save all that battery power for shifting instead of bouncing down the highway. This of course presents the problem of losing your battery or forgetting it somewhere. When there’s nothing to forget, or discharge on a mechanical system, it could certainly be something to consider, but we’d risk it for how well this stuff works and how much easier it makes shifting and tuning.

There is a slight learning curve with the shift paddles, as they’re a bit different than mechanical versions, but we wouldn’t say it was anything major, or that we couldn’t get over. Plus, with the app you can customize which shift paddle does what, so you can easily set it up to work the way your brain thinks it should.

THE WOLF'S LAST WORD
Mountain biking is a passion pursuit for people of varying incomes and abilities. For many it’s a hobby, maybe even a lifestyle or even an addiction for some. For that reason, there will never be an agreeance on what exactly “budget” is, but when SRAM set out to create the GX AXS system, the goal was to bring World Cup-level athlete performance to a price point that more people could enjoy. It’s still far from cheap, but the fact you can have a top-tier wireless mountain bike shifting system for $600 is pretty damn cool. We are huge fans of the SRAM GX AXS wireless system and think it’s a very worthwhile upgrade if you’re looking to hop up your ride. Far from necessary, but absolutely welcome. Maintenance is reduced, performance is increased and so is ease of use, comfort, and the tidiness of your bike’s cockpit. We’re stoked on wireless shifter and hope to see a lot more mid-tier bikes coming spec’d with GX AXS in the future.

Price: $600 (Kit)

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[bmaclaps]

Spending $600 on this kit gave me pause but after running it for nearly 4 months now I have zero regrets. I'll run this on all future bike builds.

[gunny]

I have a 2021 Trek Roscoe 6 and just upgraded to SRAM GX AXS.. Great Review and NEW Subscriber…. 🇺🇸

[Alexandros_Patsialidis]

Have it installed for about 3 months now, one of the best upgrades i’ve done so far on my rig 🤙🏼

[JaredHoff]

Lovin’ the intro. My SRAM XO1 drivetrain is pretty amazing. Don’t know if this is a must have upgrade, but if I was going to build a new bike from scratch… I’d definitely get the GX AXS kit.

[RIMTB]

I upgraded to this setup on my stumpy evo comp been using it since May w lots of crashes even some downhill and its still working perfectly well worth the money imo.
Great vids guys 🤘

[averagepinoyrider]

Just got my xx1 and so excited to install it

[robertennis]

For it will come down to is if i can spend the 600 on something else to improve my bike/riding. This more of a nice to have for me so will stick to cables until i cant upgrade anything else, then will consider. Great video guys, one of the only channels that give honest reviewz and advice

[sgtkurry]

I have had two gx axs kits installed both on ebikes. One on a rise m10 and the other on the rail 9.7. I love the reduced clutter, reliable actuation on the controller every time, instant shifts and no worries about adjustments. Won’t go back, I plan to buy a third for a sentinel or ripmo whichever I can get first.

[davidstepro]

Do it! Best upgrade I've ever done

[NerdsonDirtMTB]

I really need to get one of these kits!

[inlikeflynt]

I’m putting together a ‘21 Moots Mountaineer YBB, and the frame has no rear derailleur cable mounting.
My mechanic suggested the AXS upgrade and it’s being mounted now. Seemed like a worthwhile upgrade and will
help maintain a very clean look. Should be ready tomorrow can’t wait to ride it.

[kennydilger]

I rode a bike with upgraded Shimano XT drivetrain. I was amazed how much better it felt and shifted than my SLX components. Being they this is a Budget version of the ALX systems am I going to get the performance and solid feel of the Shimano XT system I used. I learned the hard way picking an SLX build…

[IADMTB]

I own both the GX AXS and XX1 AXS kits. I use the GX AXS on my 12 speed XTR setup (XTR cassette, XTR chain, AB oval chainring, XTR crank) and I feel it shifts better than an XTR shifter and derailleur. Much smoother and less effort (I always felt the XTR shifter/shifting was stiff) plus it makes the correct shift every time. I don’t have to worry about readjusting the shifting due to cable stretch, don’t have to replace shifter housing and cable, etc. I know folks will say that’s a small price to pay, but there’s definitely less maintenance to do with electronic shifting, plus there’s less cables on your bike. Do I think AXS is worth it? Heck yeah and I won’t go back to mechanical shifting.

[Jacksquatch]

I have a hard enough time remembering to charge my GPS and my GOPRO. So probably stick with cables for now lol. Also just Subscribed from Bend :)

[ianfurqueron]

I've been running the GX AXS kit on my enduro bike (2019 Megatower) essentially since it was released. I agree the setup is so freakin' easy and shifting quality under load is great. I'm running this with a 12 spd Shimano 10-51 cassette and chain. As a long-time Shimano user (this is literally the first time I've run SRAM since the Grip-Shift days 25+ years ago) I love the shifter. I quickly released the forward part of the paddle could be used like a Shimano trigger with the index finger, so I acclimated to it instantly.

So far, the only issue I've had is the B-tension screw seemed to back itself out as when I was cleaning and adjusted the bike recently, I noticed the upper pulley was shifting into the cassette. I reset the B screw and it's back to normal. Most of the riding the bike gets is at bike parks, so it gets a bit more abuse than regular trail riding.

I also added a Reverb AXS dropper post to complete the full-wireless conversion. Because... why not. I find the Reverb AXS isn't quite as responsive as the cable-actuated droppers on my other bikes (Bike Yoke and Manitou), but it's acceptable.

Removing batteries for long drives is somewhat annoying, but so far hasn't been an issue for me.

[kangsterizer]

i use a xx1 eagle since release day but i dont see the point for electric. its cool but eagle is super reliable for me, with a good quality cable i adjust it less than once a year. i see these as much more useful on 2x road bikes where adjustments are needed a lot more often.

[simonwilltrack]

Just ordered a trek slash with gx axs. Was cheaper to buy the axs version than the Xt. Trying to decide whether to strip it off and and sell it and replace with a cable mech or give the axs a go 🤔.

[unknownKnownunknowns]

My SLX shifter also has the ability to shift from the non-thumb lever in case that wasn’t well known

[frankparisi]

Awesome video.I am looking to install a SRAM GX AXS drivetrain. Can I mount my phone on my bike and use the SRAM AXS app to see what gear I am in? I really don't want to shell out another 400.00 for a Garmin. Thanks

[golokeung]

I am so regretted to not pull the trigger to buy one when I found it's on special on eBay months ago. I have been spending too much time fine tuning my 4.5 years old Giant with mixed brands drivetrain, given that I name myself a seasoned mechanic. Now they are all sold out! Until gearboxes and ebike motors come with gearboxes are common enough, I believe it's the best upgrade for most people.