Are AXS upgrade worth it?

[nv70]

I have old GX that works just fine. But was suprised how fast last casette was toast (and chain).
Goal is that maybe casettes last longer with axs vs my bad non electric shifting and less adjusting.
Was looking at a new gx axs upgrade kit w latest rocker paddle controler for 472€

 

[mustclime]

Not a fan

 

[Stihldog]

It is worth it. Almost 4 years now without an issue. Pogo pins, battery, jockey wheels, cage and main body …all fine.
I have the wireless paddle shifter …which I like better than the pod shifter.
I use the Shimano XT cassette, HG chain and the ethirteen chainring. Fast, quiet and smooth.

When it’s setup properly, through the app, there is not excessive wear or noise.

My AXS T-Type is even smoother.

 

[RustyIron]

I have old GX that works just fine. But was suprised how fast last casette was toast (and chain).

I don't think that cassette wear would normally be attributed to the derailleur. But the question was if the AXS upgrade was worth it. If you can handle the price, then I think AXS derailleurs are worth it. However, if I was shelling out the cash, I would go with the Transmission. The chains are stronger, and you can shift whenever you feel like it. It really does make a difference.

 

[TommyC]

I got my original axs derailleur and dropper for about 50%RRP on eBay. They’re great but if I’m honest, it’s a lot of money for marginal gains. Not sure I’d want to pay full price for them.

 

[rzr]

up to you. for me it's not worth it at all, on MTB (on a road bike i run Di2)
we (and my mates) were destroying Sram 12s AXS (and non-axs) mechs in 4-5 months - they are gargantuan ! we're hitting rocks or stumps on every ride.
I run XT M8000 now, way cheaper and way smaller, hidden in a silhouette of a frame.

 

[whitymon]

I think that it is worth if you want to experience free coasting and autoshift or if you really cannot maintain your bike through a cable,it can be a game changer for these features if wanted (eg: sram powertrain is awesome for some).

It is very precise and works underload which is something if you need it is also a game changer, sometime you cannot just anticipate or do the wait for it. Still shifting under load wears more the drivetrain there is no sugarcoat here.

The reason it also wears way more on an ebike is that people play the game incorrectly, using the wrong speed and asking too much torque. You usually also do way more km than on a muscular bike, otherwise it would be a total nonsense.

Will it make a better ride, not really, worth the full price, no, fun to use, definitely.

Personally, if I do not have free coasting, autoshift, wireless shifting is a gimmick I have absolutely no need for. I know how/when to shift and maintain my bike.

 

[Mikerb]

I have one bike with the original AXS and one with T Type......both original kit. Would I pay to upgrade from a cable change set up.....original AXS maybe if the existing mech was toast....TType...no...not worth the cost. Both work fine, not much difference between them when riding. Original AXS is smooth quiet and quick with just a little back off of crank torque, T Type is slower and noisier on some changes .......but supposed to be subject to less wear. My T Type is not old enough for me to see if that is the case yet but with the cost of T type chains and cassettes it had better be!!

 

[RickBullotta]

Not a fan

That's transmission, not AXS Eagle. AXS Eagle has been bombproof on all our bikes (GX, X0, and XX on XC bikes, eMTBs, enduro bike and fatbikes).

 

[RickBullotta]

The smart money right now is to upgrade to AXS Eagle, not SRAM transmission. Much cheaper, 95-98% of the performance (and actually shifts a bit faster). Plus if you have an older bike without a UDH hanger, Transmission is not an option.

I have old GX that works just fine. But was suprised how fast last casette was toast (and chain).
Goal is that maybe casettes last longer with axs vs my bad non electric shifting and less adjusting.
Was looking at a new gx axs upgrade kit w latest rocker paddle controler for 472€

The upgrade kit usually doesn't include a cassette, so if your cassette is worn you'd need a new one (unlikely though - it's probably fine). Get an XO1 chain though.

 

[Stihldog]

I’m probably not telling everyone something they don’t already know. Maintaining the correct cadence is important whether it’s an eMTB or MTB or road. The motors on our eMTB’s are powefull enough to start of in turbo and 12th gear …but the drivetrain won’t last very long.

When my wife and I would go for a casual ride I would notice that her cadence was too low …maybe 40-60. A number of times I tried to explain the importance of maintaining a cadence of 80+. I must be a bad teacher because it took several rides and different analogies.

I can destroy a drivetrain pretty fast if I want to …but I don’t. With regular maintenance and cleaning my cassette, chain, chainring and motor last a long time. But most importantly is your cadence.

 

[Ou812]

Not a fan

This is a common issue with the GX derailleur, the battery sits flat on the pogo pins so any water that gets in there doesn’t drain away and eventually corrodes the pogo pins. SRAM has been replacing them under warranty for original owners for a while now. My mate has been buying up “broken” GX derailleurs, replacing the pogo pins then reselling them.

 

[Ou812]

Its kit like this that is on this topic.
Soo some say yes others no here to worth it /thanks

For me it was worth it, I won’t ever go back to anything with cables because I can’t stand the rats nest of cables that you’d have otherwise. Shimano is releasing a wireless setup soon so they’ll be more options than just SRAM.

 

[Stihldog]

My mate has been buying up “broken” GX derailleurs, replacing the pogo pins then reselling them.

This sounds like something I could do quite easily …

This is the position or orientation that my AXS GX battery lives all the time. Vertical. Whether it’s in 1st gear or 12th gear. When I charge the battery I always brush or clean the battery holder. I don’t recall if I’ve ever seen water in this area which could affect the pogo pins.

I’ve never lost a battery on the derailer or reverb dropper …but I did lose the original battery cage during a crash once. I replaced that with a tighter fitting red one for about $10.

 

[Ou812]

This sounds like something I could do quite easily …

This is the position or orientation that my AXS GX battery lives all the time. Vertical. Whether it’s in 1st gear or 12th gear. When I charge the battery I always brush or clean the battery holder. I don’t recall if I’ve ever seen water in this area which could affect the pogo pins.

I’ve never lost a battery on the derailer or reverb dropper …but I did lose the original battery cage during a crash once. I replaced that with a tighter fitting red one for about $10.

View attachment 149339

That GX derailluer is fine, there’s no issues with that one. The battery is horizontal on the GX transmission stuff, water can’t escape and it corrodes the pins. The video that was posted was about the transmission, not the older AXS eagle stuff. Honestly I prefer the AXS eagle stuff, it shifts a good bit faster and worked better on my levo.

 

[Stihldog]

That GX derailluer is fine, there’s no issues with that one. The battery is horizontal on the GX transmission stuff, water can’t escape and it corrodes the pins. The video that was posted was about the transmission, not the older AXS eagle stuff. Honestly I prefer the AXS eagle stuff, it shifts a good bit faster and worked better on my levo.

Maybe I don’t understand, or haven’t seen, a horizontal sitting AXS battery. I can certainly see how this could become a problem with the pogo pins.

Could it be the type of derailer hanger?

My T-Type AXS battery (location ) sits vertical also.

Edit; wait…it’s not. It’s almost horizontal. The pogo pins are still a factor but there is a slight slope to the battery holder. My power comes directly from the main battery so I don’t remove the power very often …or ever. I recognize this as a potential problem but a small amount of dielectric grease ( or something similar)in this area may reduce failure.

This area is still dry and clean even though I ride in all weather conditions.

 

[Ou812]

Maybe I don’t understand, or haven’t seen, a horizontal sitting AXS battery. I can certainly see how this could become a problem with the pogo pins.

Could it be the type of derailer hanger?

My T-Type AXS battery (location ) sits vertical also.

The battery sits vertical on the XO and XX derailleurs but is horizontal on the GX. It’s a different design so it could be made cheaper to meet a certain price point.

 

[Stihldog]

Well, that’s not good. I had to have a Quick Look at my Fuel EXE which has the AXS GX T-Type derailer. I would consider the position to be horizontal with a slight slope down towards the front of the bike.

After seeing this I might consider some dielectric grease in this area. The pogo pins seem good though …so far.

 

[Ou812]

Well, that’s not good. I had to have a Quick Look at my Fuel EXE which has the AXS GX T-Type derailer. I would consider the position to be horizontal with a slight slope down towards the front of the bike.

After seeing this I might consider some dielectric grease in this area. The pogo pins seem good though …so far.

View attachment 149341

View attachment 149342

My mate uses dielectric grease on his GX derailleur and it’s survived the weather up here in Scotland so far. It’s just a poor design that traps water around the pins, still can’t believe SRAM didn’t discover it during testing.

 

[mustclime]

Hey, let’s take a peace of electronics out in the woods and cover it in mud, soak it in water then cover it in moon dust and smack it with rocks and tree limbs…..What could go wrong?

 

[Ou812]

Hey, let’s take a peace of electronics out in the woods and cover it in mud, soak it in water then cover it in moon dust and smack it with rocks and tree limbs…..What could go wrong?

I’ve had an old XX1 AXS setup since 2019, the derailluer has been through hell and back but still works like a champ. It’s in my spare parts bin if I ever need it but it’s been super reliable. I’ve had issues with the new transmission stuff though, SRAM took care of it under warranty.

 

[mustclime]

I’ve had an old XX1 AXS setup since 2019, the derailluer has been through hell and back but still works like a champ. It’s in my spare parts bin if I ever need it but it’s been super reliable. I’ve had issues with the new transmission stuff though, SRAM took care of it under warranty.

Just like my knees, it’s not the age, it’s the mileage

I guess what I am trying to say is electric derailleurs are kinda like the Boy Scouts Of America . Hey let’s hand my kid over to a stranger and they can go into the woods together over night……who thought this was a good idea? Same goes for electrics hung off the bike in the woods.

 

[Gavalar]

I have old GX that works just fine. But was suprised how fast last casette was toast (and chain).
Goal is that maybe casettes last longer with axs vs my bad non electric shifting and less adjusting.
Was looking at a new gx axs upgrade kit w latest rocker paddle controler for 472€

Shimano Cues, bullet proof.

 

[mooby77]

Well, that’s not good. I had to have a Quick Look at my Fuel EXE which has the AXS GX T-Type derailer. I would consider the position to be horizontal with a slight slope down towards the front of the bike.

After seeing this I might consider some dielectric grease in this area. The pogo pins seem good though …so far.

View attachment 149341

View attachment 149342

This is good stuff for these type of contacts

I use it on my AXS dropper and mech, contacts, Pogo Pins

Caig DeoxIT Shield Contact Cleaning Fluid S100L-2C

Caig DeoxIT Shield Contact Cleaning Fluid S100L-2C at Analogue Seduction

www.analogueseduction.net

 

[KnollyBro]

I have run the same stock SRAM GX derailleur on all of my bikes since I bought them and maybe it's the Luddite in me but I can't figure out why anyone wants to spend that much money on a drive train to shift a millisecond quicker.

 

[PNWmtnBKR]

Well, that’s not good. I had to have a Quick Look at my Fuel EXE which has the AXS GX T-Type derailer. I would consider the position to be horizontal with a slight slope down towards the front of the bike.

After seeing this I might consider some dielectric grease in this area. The pogo pins seem good though …so far.

View attachment 149341

View attachment 149342

I want that setup.
Although I’ve trained myself to check all battery levels (watch/phone/garmin/bike/axs) and if needed can charge in the car on the way. I also really only use my watch for rides anymore.

 

[Stihldog]

I want that setup.
Although I’ve trained myself to check all battery levels (watch/phone/garmin/bike/axs) and if needed can charge in the car on the way. I also really only use my watch for rides anymore.

Surprisingly my Scram AXS batteries have never depleted during a ride, On the Reverb dropper or derailer. I wasn’t sure about the hardwired battery connection on the T-Type derailer …but it seems to work.

…to shift a millisecond quicker.

Milliseconds Matter …sometimes . But my main reason for the AXS system’s was to cleanup the cockpit. If I could make the Kiox disappear I would but apparently I need that.

 

[KnollyBro]

Surprisingly my Scram AXS batteries have never depleted during a ride, On the Reverb dropper or derailer. I wasn’t sure about the hardwired battery connection on the T-Type derailer …but it seems to work.

Milliseconds Matter …sometimes . But my main reason for the AXS system’s was to cleanup the cockpit. If I could make the Kiox disappear I would but apparently I need that.

Haha... for that kind of money, you can get a lot of hoes and blow that can potentially put a bigger smile on your face for a longer period of time. Aethstics aside, to each their own of course but I have yet to feel the need to do a bar spin when riding down a steep tech trail or over a big drop. The cost seems not worth the consequence. Now if I could learn to do a 360 or back flip, I would be happy with that (no AXS required but possibly where the blow comes in)!

 

[Mikerb]

The benefit of either system is that once adjusted there is no reason to have to do any further adjustments. I have not touched my AXS for 2.5 years! Possibly ( not yet had time to prove this) but T Type AXS should require even less given there is no high/low or B tension adjustment.

 

[RustyIron]

The benefit of either system is that once adjusted there is no reason to have to do any further adjustments. I have not touched my AXS for 2.5 years! Possibly ( not yet had time to prove this) but T Type AXS should require even less given there is no high/low or B tension adjustment.

The Tranny is the same way. Sometimes I futz around with a couple clicks one way or another, but it really doesn't make much difference. It shifts that well. It's the most trouble-free system I've ever run.

The only exception is every once in a while I'll be riding along and the shifting will get weird. I'll stop to look, and there might be a piece of grass or a twig in there. Pull it out, and shifting is back to normal.