SRAM’s XX1 1x11 mountain bike drivetrains blew up the market when they were launched in 2012. They were simpler, lighter, looked cleaner and ran quieter. Though they lacked the full range of a 2x10 system, the advantages outweighed what was lost. 1x11 was such a hit, it has even influenced mountain bike design, with a number of companies eliminating front-derailleur compatibility from their frames.

And when you have a hit, you make a sequel—as many as you can. NX is the fifth, and least expensive, sequel of XX1’s 1x11 premise. And though this one-by drivetrain lacks a few of the details that made XX1 so influential, it’s about one-fifth the cost, but performs nearly 100 percent as well. (Keep up with the newest innovations in bike gear by subscribing to the !)

     RELATED: You Should Get a 1x Drivetrain on Your Road Bike

What You Need to Know:
  • SRAM’s fifth, and least expensive, 1x11 mountain bike drivetrain
  • Complete group weighs 2,105 grams and costs $352 (as tested, with bottom bracket and Grip Shift) compared with 1,553 grams (claimed) and $1,595 for comparable XX1 group
  • Black finish and clean graphics look nice on almost any bike—these are not cheap-looking components
  • All parts compatible with SRAM’s other 1x11 groups

Derailleur

I’ve ridden all of SRAM’s 1x11 derailleurs and, when they’re new, I can’t tell a bit of difference between them—including the $310 XX1 version. The NX is the heaviest (about 71 grams more than an XX1), and it may wear faster because of its lower-cost materials. But it shifted quickly and precisely with no drop-off in performance through a month of hard use that included a few crashes. It works so well, I bought an NX rear derailleur to replace a broken derailleur on my XX1-equipped personal bike.

SRAM NX 1x11 Rear Derailleur, $74.00, $73.95 from Competitive Cyclist

At a Glance

  • Shifts quickly and precisely with no drop-off in performance after weeks of use
  • Competitive with pricier SRAM chains, though heavier

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Chain

The 1130 chain is SRAM’s bread-and-butter chain. Used for both road and mountain drivetrains, the 1130 has chromed outer plates for a bit of flash and rust protection, and solid hardened pins for durability. SRAM’s tool-free PowerLock link takes the hassle and anxiety out of installing the chain.

We’ve ridden these chains a lot, and they’re pretty rugged, and shift well with SRAM or Shimano drivetrains. The 1130 is not "1x specific" like the SRAM's PC-X1 or XX1 HardChrome chains, but it's cheaper than those chains, and seems to hold onto 1x rings just as well. 

Here's how you should really be lubing your chain:

preview for Ask Bicycling: How Much Chain Lube Is Enough?

SRAM PC-1130 Chain, $28.95, $17.99 from Competitive Cyclist

At a Glance

  • SRAM’s bread-and-butter chain
  • Compatible with both road and mountain drivetrains
  • Works well with 1x drivetrains, despite not being designed with them in mind

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Cassette

The NX cassette costs almost 50 percent less than SRAM’s next-least-expensive GX 10-42 cassette, and is a hell of a lot cheaper than the most expensive, the $416 XX1. It is considerably heavier, and with 11-42 cogs, it has less range. But it mounts to a standard hub driver, making it easier and cheaper to upgrade a 2x bike (with the 10-42 cassettes, SRAM’s XD hub driver is required). Shifts are on par with XX1: fast, precise, and reasonably smooth. After a month of riding, the cassette is showing minimal wear.

SRAM NX PG-1130 11-Speed Cassette, $79.00, $78.95 from Competitive Cyclist

At a Glance

  • Incredibly affordable—more than 50-percent less expensive than SRAM's next-least-expensive GX 10-42 cassette
  • 11-42 range
  • Mounts to a standard hub driver, making it easier and cheaper to upgrade a 2x bike

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Shifter

I tested the NX Grip Shift twist shifter ($33, 103 grams), and with my shiny happy hat on, I say it is light-action and directs each shift precisely. When my grump hat is on, I say it is cheap-feeling. Really, it’s all of those things: functions great, feels meh.

SRAM also offers an NX trigger shifter (shown) that works well, but it’s not compatible with SRAM’s Matchmaker X integrated clamps system for controls (which allows brake, shifter, and dropper controls to mount to one clamp, opening up more bar space). It also doesn’t have SRAM’s ZeroLoss feature, which takes up cable slack to eliminate dead throw in the paddles.

SRAM NX Trigger Shifter, $27.00, $27.00 from Competitive Cyclist

At a Glance

  • Cheaper than NX Grip Shifter
  • Works with all SRAM 1x drivetrains
  • Not compatible with SRAM’s Matchmaker X integrated clamps system for controls

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Crankset

As far as making the bike go, the NX crank works, and the included chainring provides good retention. I still recommend a mini-guide, which weighs as little as 40 grams, for all 1x bikes other than a weight weenie’s hardtail. As good as the retention is, it’s still possible to bounce a chain off, and a guide keeps the chain on the ring when the rear wheel is out for a flat repair.

If you buy an NX crank aftermarket, it comes with an integrated spider and cannot accept direct-mount chainrings or a chainring smaller than 30-tooth. But cranks that come on complete bikes may have a removable spider with more options.

     RELATED: Understand Your Drivetrain

SRAM NX 1X GXP Crankset, $116.00, $116.00 from Competitive Cyclist

At a Glance

  • Use with a mini-guide, which weighs as little as 40 grams, recommended
  • Made for use with SRAM 1x drivetrains
  • Aftermarket NX cranks come with integrated spider, cannot accept direct-mount chainrings or chainrings smaller than 30t

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