SRAM X.9 Rear Derailleur

Review: SRAM X9 10 Speed Component Group

For 2010, SRAM completely redesigned their entire component group line to the new 10 speed standard in mountain biking. With available options in 3×10 and 2×10 with a wide range of gearing and color choices, the new X9 component group looks to capture the enthusiast market right below the exclusive X0 and racer inspired XX groupos.

From SRAM.com

Performance Trail Technology No matter what you throw at it, SRAM X9 keeps coming back for more. The all new X9 family puts the SRAM 2X10 unrivaled shift speed and smoothness within easy reach of racers and experienced enthusiasts alike. Add Avid Elixir CR brakes with TaperBore™ Technology and you have performance trail technology you can trust to smoothly and quickly get you there and back again, no matter where “there” may be.

SRAM X.9 is designed with the mountain biking enthusiast in mind. While the weight conscious will hit XX and the blinged out rigs will see X0, X9 strives to bring top of the line performance at a cost that is more affordable for the general mountain biking public by giving up a couple of features and adding a little bit of weight. Let’s take a look at how the X9 groupo from SRAM performed over the past couple of months while bolted up to our Turner 5.Spot test rig.

Review: SRAM X9 10 Speed Component Group

SRAM took a huge step forward this year by trying to unify their component group offerings. At the time of this review, SRAM had not released their new Elixir 9 brakes yet, so you will see color matched Avid Elixir CR’s in this lineup. However, with the introduction of the new brakes, SRAM now has a complete, branded line that can go head to head with Shimano. Outside of the new gearing, this is the biggest advancement from a marketing and usage standpoint that SRAM has taken since its introduction.

SRAM X.9 Color Choices

As mentioned before, you can get this new X9 groupo in a variety of color (red, white, silver) and gearing combinations (2×10, 3×10) to fit your needs. For the purposes of this review, we picked the 2×10 setup (28/42 Crank w/12-36 cassette) in dark gray to match the test bike.

SRAM X.9 Crankset

SRAM/Truvativ X9 Crankset

For the first time this year, the Truvativ cranksets get the X9 branding treatment to match the rest of the lineup. This ano black with colored accents crankset is constructed out of 7075 aluminum that equates to a relatively light crank that is strong enough for some serious abuse.

During the review process, we were running the harder of the 2x gear ratios with the 28-42 setup. While the bigger 42 was great on long descents and forest service roads, the 26-39 setup would have been a lot better for big mountain riding. As a general recommendation for most mountain bikers, we recommend getting the 26-39 over the larger 28-42 unless you are on a light hardtail. For heavier, longer travel bikes that still have to climb, the smaller 26T was missed even with the 36T rear.

Throughout the review process, the X9 crankset performed flawlessly. There was plenty of stiffness through rough terrain and drops while also providing a finish that was durable to rock hits and crashes. Even the typical shoe rub on the crank arms was hidden with the rough ano finish as you can see in the picture. The bottom bracket and installation was very straight forward with a simple bottom out bolt design and this never came loose while riding. There was also no creaking as the installation process provided proper pre-load on the bearings. While I still prefer the Shimano method for crank installation, this SRAM bottom out bolt has been the best version of this design to date.

Overall, the X9 cranks did exactly what you want them to on the trail…disappear. With zero creaking and quick, clean shifts and minimal to zero flex, you can focus on riding and putting power to dirt. The new black ano finish is also a welcomed change that is durable and looks like new for a long time.

SRAM X.9 Rear Derailleur

SRAM X9 Shifting and Derailleurs

Component groups all come down to shifting. If you don’t get this crucial function right, the rest of the looks, weight and design do not matter. SRAM has been known throughout the years to provide bulletproof 1:1 actuation ratio shifting, and the new 10 speed X9 groupo keeps that same trend.

The rear derailleur is available in short, medium (tested) and long cages to match a variety of needs. In most 2x setups, you will end up with the crisper shifting medium cage since you do not have a 40+ tooth big ring. The derailleur shares the same overall design with its 9 speed counterpart with the addition of a carbon outer cage. Throughout the testing period, the X9 derailleur performed at a level that we are used to for the X9 groupo. Shifts were quick and painless, overall setup was easy via the external adjustment bolts and the derailleur stayed in adjustment even under some larger encounters with rocks and the ground (one of our favorite features of 1:1 shifting).

When mated with the 12-36T 10 speed cassette, shifts were quick and efficient while also providing a really wide range of gear choices. However, having the 36T in the rear did require some mindset adjustment as the spacing between gears is larger, but once you get used to the change…you can set right in.

SRAM X.9 Shifter

The X9 shifters are a pretty simple setup. The all black with X9 logo on the paddle is pleasing enough to the eye and matches the rest of the group. They aren’t going be as flashy as the X0’s or new XTR’s, but they get the job done. With the X9’s you lose the ability to adjust the front paddle shifter angle, but the stock location is probably perfect for 95% of riders anyway.

On the rear shifter, you get the ability to move up the cassette 5 gears at a time and 1 at a time down via SRAM’s push/push method. We actually prefer the push/push over the conventional trigger, but it would be nice to see a dual stage run down the cassette (1 or 2 gears at once) like Shimano has done on their lineup. Shifting was crisp but noticeably stiffer than with the X0 or XX setup. At first we thought it was the housing, but even after we replaced that…it was still a little on the stiff side. For future generations, we would like to see that same light shifting action brought to the X9 shifting platform.

SRAM X.9 Front Derailleur

The X9 front derailleur is incredible from a setup standpoint. All of the installation and adjustment bolts are front and center on the derailleur to make everything easy to get to from the drive side of the bike. This design is incredible and it makes the headache of front derailleur adjustment and installation a lot easier than before. Given this new design, we did run into a small issue with the Turner 5.Spot review bike. As you can see by the picture, we couldn’t quite get the front derailleur as low as it needed to be which caused the chain to be able to jump over the big ring. For 99.9% of bikes on the market, this will not be an issue but due to our frame design…it was.

Shifts were quick and painless after setup and the front derailleur performed just as it should.

Avid Elixir CR Lever

Avid Elixir CR Brakes

The SRAM X9 group now comes with the new branded Elixir 9 brakes, so these are dated as you read this. In the beginning of the new X9 groupo, SRAM packaged color matched versions of their Elixir CR to mate up with the component group until the Elixir 9 branded and redesigned versions were ready.

We have tested/reviewed the CR’s in the past (Full Avid Elixir CR Review) and these brakes performed incredibly well just like our last set. While we have heard reports of noisy braking and other issues, we have not gotten any of that with either of our test sets. The modulation was incredible as you get a nice linear braking force throughout the stroke (it doesn’t have an on/off switch feel) that allows you to feather and control the bikes speed. We also found that braking was quiet and with the 185mm rotors, there wasn’t any fade across long downhill runs.

Avid Elixir CR Caliper

Installation and adjustment of the calipers is just as easy as any other set of post mount brake setups. Avid’s do have their concave washers that adjust to differences in frames and forks a little bit easier as they are able to pivot while also moving side to side. Line shortening and bleeding is also an easy task with their bleed kit via the two plungers.

In the end, the Avid Elixir CR’s provided powerful, well modulated braking that was quiet throughout the day.

Overall: SRAM X9 10 Speed Component Group

SRAM put together a winner with the X9 component group. For most riders, this will be perfect for a variety of mountain bike setups and unless you are super weight conscious or just want to spend the money…I do not see any real persuasive reason to jump to X0 or XX. The durability and cost structure of the X9 group far outweighs the weight difference and bling factor. While we would like to see a little lighter shifting action on the front paddle of the shifters, that is about the only negative feedback we can provide. The 1:1 actuation ratio that SRAM has designed their shifting around beats out Shimano with the ability to take hits easier without having to be adjusted and the new all black with colored options look is a welcomed changed from silver components. We will be keeping the X9 group on our test bike for the foreseeable future.

Positives: SRAM X9 Component Group
  • Durable construction and coating that stays looking new
  • 1:1 actuation ratio shifting is more forgiving to adjustments and on trail obstacles
  • Wide gear range for a variety of applications
  • Finally…black components
  • Price point that is in the reach of more riders without being really heavy
  • Powerful but well modulated braking
Negatives: SRAM X9 Component Group
  • Stiffer shifting on front paddle shifter
  • Would like to see 2 step move down on the rear shifter
  • Doesn’t have the X0 “bling factor”

If you are looking for a component group that is durable enough to last a long time and provides top level performance…the X9 groupo from SRAM is a great choice.

Get your best pricing on X9 components here and submit your own review of X9 by clicking here.

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