SRAM X.0
By Jon Sharp

Before the much-anticipated launch of Shimano's XTR 2003, SRAM released their latest and greatest in shifting. The X.0 line of shifters and rear derailleur set a new standard in weight. They're also more expensive than many other systems. How has SRAM improved their greatest, and how well does it stack up to the competition? Let's take a closer look and see.

To save weight, SRAM uses many different materials in different areas, depending on their use. Forged, anodized, CNC'd, ground, and heat treated aluminum parts, as well as some titanium, are the metals used. They also use composites in some areas (though, the carbon-fiber you think you see, is actually just a printed graphic on the composites). By doing so, they've managed to produce a long-cage derailleur that weighs only 204g (200g for the medium cage).

One of the things I liked best about the design of the rear derailleur was the cable routing. By bolting on a composite cable-router, they eliminate the need for the rear cable to make that tight loop in order to enter the derailleur from the correct direction. Instead, all you need is a short piece of housing that hardly bends at all. Very slick. Incidentally, they use this same routing on all of their other (read: less-expensive) derailleurs.

Shifting was light and superb. SRAM's Speed Released Spool (SRS)™ technology meant smooth, easy downshifts (to easier gears, but larger cogs) every time. Upshifting (to the smaller cogs) was a little more difficult than I had imagined, but not so difficult that I ever really noticed it while riding. Every time I went out on the X.O-equipped bike, I always looked for trails that forced me to shift a lot, because it was such a joy. In fact, I have never ridden components that shifted so effortlessly to the easier (larger) gears.

Summary: SRAM has done it right with the X.O group. The shifting is excellent in every way. Because it costs so much ($180 for the rear derailleur alone), I'd expect it to look less cheap (get rid of the faux carbon fiber graphics). Complaining aside, though, I still feel it's the best looking derailleur out there. All in all, the only thing that would stop me from recommending this to anyone (besides being too expensive for some people's budgets), is that some people prefer trigger-style Shimano shifting over twist-style SRAM shifting. It's a matter of preference. For me, I'd take anything that shifted this smoothly.

Jon Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.

For more information, contact:
SRAM Corporation
1333 N. Kingsbury, 4th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60622
Phone: +1-312-664-8800
E-mail: sramusa@sram.com
www.sram.com