Manufacturers are increasingly equipping their ebikes with electronic derailleurs. The reasons are obvious: faster, more precise shifting, less maintenance and a cleaner look. But is that enough to switch from an ebike with mechanical gears to one equipped with Sram AXS or Shimano Di2? That’s something only you can decide for yourself. However, Sram is now making the decision a little easier for you. The manufacturer is launching a kit for 650 euros that allows you to convert a mechanical gear system to an electronic one. Here is all the information you need about the conversion with the Sram GX Eagle AXS Transmission Upgrade Kit.
1. What does the Sram GX Eagle AXS Transmission Upgrade Kit include?
2. What requirements must an ebike meet?
3. How is the rear derailleur installed?
4. What spare parts are available for future maintenance?
5. Is it worth the switch?
1. What does the kit include?
The set contains pretty much everything you need for the conversion. First and foremost, we’re talking about a rear derailleur body that supports electronic shifting. That’s right, just a body, not a complete rear derailleur. Sram has deliberately kept the kit as simple as possible to make the actual installation easier. A nice side effect of this is that you only buy the parts you really need. Other parts can be used from your existing rear derailleur.
In addition to the AXS-compatible black anodised GX Eagle Transmission rear derailleur body, the box contains a shifter, i.e. an AXS Pod Controller, an AXS battery for the rear derailleur, a matching charger and a Sram Eagle T-Type PowerLock. The chain lock will be necessary to be able to ride with the existing chain in the new setup.
The following parts from the previously installed Sram Eagle Transmission 90 or Sram Eagle Transmission 70 rear derailleur will be reused and are therefore not included in the kit:
- derailleur cage
- setup key
- knurled ring
- bushing
- derailleur mount bolt
According to Sram, the manufacturer only sells the rear derailleur body together with the entire kit. It will therefore not be available separately.
2. What requirements must an ebike meet?
The most exciting question is, of course: Which mechanical derailleurs from Sram can be converted with the kit? Quite simply, only T-Type derailleurs. In other words, derailleurs from Sram’s ‘Eagle Transmission’ shifting system introduced in 2023.
This also explains the second key requirement. An UDH derailleur hanger must be installed on the frame of the ebike in question. T-Type derailleurs can only be mounted on this universal derailleur hanger standard. They were developed specifically for frames featuring thru axles.
3. How is the derailleur mounted?
The conversion does not require any special skills or tools. Many of you will probably be able to do this in your own workshop. Before starting the conversion, make sure that you have switched off the ebike system. The first step is to remove the chain from the drive. Either you have a bicycle chain with a chain lock and can release it. Or the chain has been riveted in place. In this case, you will need a chain tool to remove a link and take off the chain.
Next, loosen the mounting screws on the existing rear derailleur that connect the body to the derailleur cage, including the derailleur pulleys. Separate the body and cage from each other. Make sure to set the setup key, knurled ring and bushing aside safely. You will need them again in a moment.
Now take the GX Eagle AXS transmission rear derailleur body and mount it on the derailleur cage of the old rear derailleur. Reinsert the setup key, knurled ring and bushing. Finally, thread the chain into the rear derailleur, guide it forward onto the chainring and close it with the supplied chain lock.
Sram GX Eagle AXS transmission rear derailleur body SL-90-A1
- Type: Sram Eagle Transmission AXS
- Cassette: 12-speed, max. 52 teeth
- Weight: 235 g
- Shift type: electronic
- Colour: black
- Compatibility: T-Type only, frames with UDH mount only
- Material: aluminum
4. What spare parts are available for future maintenance?
Sram generally sets a good example when it comes to how well older and newer assemblies and components can be combined with each other. This is once again evident here. The body from the Sram GX Eagle AXS Transmission Upgrade Kit can be used with all other transmission shifters and mounting bolt kits from the Sram GX Transmission, Sram Eagle 90 Transmission and Sram Eagle 70 Transmission. This should ensure a good supply of spare parts in the future.
5. Is it worth the switch?
The retail price of 650 euros for the kit is by no means cheap. The question is always what alternative you are comparing it to. Switching from an ebike with mechanical derailleurs to an ebike with electronic derailleurs is likely to cost considerably more. The same applies if we are talking about a regular bike without an electric drive.
In theory, you could also buy the parts of the set individually. However, this would normally end up costing more. Otherwise, Sram would have miscalculated the price of the kit. At least in terms of new parts. On the second-hand market, the situation could understandably be different.
Seems very expensive and with such limited compatibility. Complete far eastern made electronic derailleur kits with 3-14 gear compatibility are available at half the cost!