It was a game changer really and although Shimano didn’t follow with a move to eleven speeds until a few years later, SRAM offered some unique thinking, which is now on all of their single chainring trail bike transmissions.

‘Seemingly bombproof, reliable, with no problems to report -we definitely used this drivetrain far above its intended purpose’

A key part of SRAM’s transmission is the unique XD driver on the hub allowing the use of a wide range cassette from 10T to 42T. With a choice of front chainring (in a 4 bolt of direct mount fitment), this meant there was no real need for a front mech to achieve a realistic range of gear ratios for most riders. SRAM’s X-SYNC chainrings have a tall, square tooth design to aid chain retention. Add in a roller bearing clutch rear mech and you’ve got a full system that works flawlessly in all conditions. For SRAM, the front mech on a mountainbike is old news, and in their opinion is dead.

To start with though, this top end kit from SRAM was very expensive. XX1, X01, and X1 were fitted to high spec bikes and many riders put it on a wish list of potential upgrades. This changed with the arrival of the GX transmission, a level of kit that was both functional and yet affordable. Straight away we started seeing it as standard spec on many trail bikes. Bikes such as the Orange Segment, Transition Smuggler, Commencal Meta V4 and Whyte T-129 have all sported this gearing and it without question has never let us down.