Looking back on the past 24 months in BikeLand, it seems as though every fortnight a new revolutionary product is hitting the market, such is the pace of advancing technology in modern day mountain bikes. It kinda feels like we’re being bombarded by new bottom bracket standards, steerer tube sizes, drivetrain options, thru-axles, carbon fiber layups and suspension technology, making it hard to sift through the marketing spiel to see what is actually going to improve your riding. At the end of the day, a lot of these innovations are genuinely better than the component they replace, but whether it means anything to you, your riding style, riding conditions or budget is an entirely different kettle of fish.
Today’s example; The 10 speed Drivetrain.
10 Speed – what’s it all about?
While road bikes have been using an extra gear for a few years now, Mountain Bike 10 Speed was only introduced by the impressive XX groupset from SRAM back in late 2009. The 10 speed drivetrain shook up a somewhat stagnant market by adding an additional cog to the cassette to rework gearing ratios. The big push from SRAM was to use a double crankset up front instead of the usual triple, made all the more viable by a wide-range cassette out back. Instead of 11-34t ratio used on 3x9 drivetrains, the new 2x10 system got a big 11-36t cassette ratio, allowing for a similar high and low gear, with more usable shifts in between (think of all the gearing overlaps there are in a 3x9 system). What we are seeing now are a whole new range of drivetrain setups with both triple, double and single front chainring options, with riders being able to select the perfect setup for their riding style and track conditions.
However, along with a heavy marketing push, we’re also seeing many riders on setups that aren’t suited to their local trails or riding style.
Aside from gearing ratios, there are 2 other advantages of a 10 speed drivetrain. The first is smoother shifting, as the extra cog in the cassette provides smaller changes between each sprocket size, allowing for an easier transition for the chain between gears. The second is a stronger chain (converse to what many think) as the rollers of the chain are shorter than on a 9 speed chain, resulting in less flex and a higher torque rating. Sure you can still bust a chain from mis-shifting, but overall they’re stronger and the wear rate appears to be no different from 9 speed options, if not slightly better.
SRAM
Being the purveyor of 10 speed, SRAM have certainly gone deep into the new platform, with 5 different groupset levels available from the World Cup XX, down to the entry-level X5 groupset. While SRAM are still making triple cranksets, they believe that with the new 11-36t cassettes out back, most riders can benefit from downsizing to a double crankset to reduce front shifting and are really pushing the whole 2x10 shebang. However, up until now the available chainring sizes for their 2x cranks have been a little tall for our liking, making us recommend triple cranksets for weekend warriors, 29er riders and those frequenting steep terrain (the smallest double chainring option being 39/26). For 2012, SRAM have recognized that some of their gearing options were too high for all but XC riders and racers, and so have introduced new 2x chainring ratio options as an aftermarket upgrade (such as a 38/24 option).
SRAM XX: Superlight and super trick parts that make up SRAM’s top-tier groupset.. Lots of carbon and Titanium, and the CNC machined cassette is a real work of art. Available crankset ratios include 39/26t and 42/28t, with the cassette coming in both 11-32t and 11-36t.
- Buy Me: If you’re building the ultimate lightweight bike and want the best there is.
- Don’t Buy Me: If you’re not XC racing and you require lower gearing options.
SRAM XX Groupset 2x10 Speed
SRAM X0: Not a whole lot cheaper than XX, but many similar technologies in a package for more aggressive riders. Sweet carbon cranks, punchy trigger shifters and a bomber rear derailleur that is available in 3 cage lengths. Also available for 2012 is the X0 DH groupset with specific cranks and rear derailleur.
- Buy Me: If you have a carbon fetish and want bulletproof and lightweight
- Don’t Buy Me: If you’re on a budget and need to spend money on other thing…such as food.
SRAM X0 Groupset 2x10 Speed
SRAM X0 3x10 Groupset
SRAM X0 DH Groupset 1x10 Speed
SRAM X9: Excellent value gruppo with trickle-down technology from the XX components. Not quite as slick and punchy in shifting as its bigger brothers, but hollow alloy cranks are stiff and overall weight is very good.
You can get a triple crankset and the double in both 39/26t and 42/28t following the X-Glide 1:1.5 ratio for uber-fast shifting up front.
What do you think of the whole 10 speed movement? Is it as good as your previous 9 speed drivetrain? Do you think SRAM have the 2x10 market stitched up or is this one big marketing fad you want to avoid? Let us know what you think and leave a comment below.
Tune in next time for our in-depth look at offerings from Shimano, as well as other drivetrain options currently spreading into the market.
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