SRAM XO Eagle, worth the buck? 7k to replace the cassette...

[cadenceblur]

Having gone that route if you ask me if I would do it again,the answer would be no.Not because of the cost tho.im probably 8 months and a few thousand km on the groupset with no problems.Like any groupset if you take care is chain/cluster and replace chain often the cassette will last a loooong time.Im pretty sure by the time my cassette needs replacing sram will have a cheaper version out or one of the competitors will have something cheaper.

If I did it again I would go the e thirteen route.

The jump from the 46-50 on the eagle irritates me sometimes.you riding a gear that's a little too tough and then change to one that is way too easy.

They should have made it a 48 not a 50.

Riding with my mates with the 9-46 e thirteen it seems like a much nicer ratio than the eagle.

the e thirteen has a bigger jump though? Goes from 39 to 46

[Matchstix]

From working on eagle I don't like it. To a point it feels the range is too big for the derailleur system in My opinion.

Then there is also this article

 

http://www.ridingfeelsgood.com/topic/marketing-wank-analysis-sram-eagle-chain/

Most "innovation" is to make money.

If you Google to try and find that article you will find all the marketing bs of how great it is.

Believe marketing and buy it it's the best ever

[RiverInTheRoad]

GX 12 speed will be released soon.

[Danger Dassie]

Wait and and GX Eagle will be available. At far less of a premium, otherwise there's a host of alternatives in 2x10, 2x11 and 1x11 that work exceptionally well and won't break the bank. 
Ie: SunRace have three different range options on 11 speed cassettes for a fraction of the price.

 

Like anything, want the latest and greatest. It will cost more, wait a while and you pay a lot less.

[solty]

Cost of Eagle is justified, imho. Apart from the premium you should expect for latest/greatest/coolest, etc , its machined from a single billet of steel. More difficult and time consuming to manufacture than say XT 11-42 which is stamped from steel plate and then cobbled together with a couple of rivets with an alu ring thrown in. Then the shimano cassette is bolted on the bike with a couple of spacers thrown in the mix. This can't match the precision or tolerances of Eagle or other high end Sram cassettes. So durability and shifting precision of the latter should be better. Fewer places for error or misalignment that will be "exploited" by dirt, bad shifting, worn chain and cause the cassette to wear.

My bike has Shimano because the costs are sensible and there are aftermarket options.

Sunrace should make a 10-46.

Spec an XD freehub when you get wheels and Shimano is sunk.

[Traveler]

GX Eagle will be out soon, and that is certainly my next upgrade.

Going to 1x11 was the best choice in drivetrain yet; 1x12 can only be better; because then I can go for a 36t chainring.

 

[michaelbiker]

If you can afford it, it's worth it. But it's probably better to buy it with a new bike, rather than upgrade. Just my 2c.

[shaper]

Am happy to stay 1 x 10 on my HT and 2 x 10 on my FS !!

[Schnavel]

Rather look at the sun race cassettes for 11speed. They are considerably cheaper and last just as long as the other brands.

 

They also offer great range from 11 - 46 even 50.

 

I'm running 1x10 on my HT and using the sun race cassette - works perfectly

[Jurgens Smit]

Maybe of people could learn to pedal high cadence they won't need 12 spd.... i got no problems grinding at 60kp/h with 30T ring

 

Thats like 110-120 rpm cadence?

[Clinton H]

Maybe of people could learn to pedal high cadence they won't need 12 spd.... i got no problems grinding at 60kp/h with 30T ring

60 kmph with a 30 Tooth front ring ? please you must show me how you grind this without any problems .

[arendoog]

Rather look at the sun race cassettes for 11speed. They are considerably cheaper and last just as long as the other brands.

 

They also offer great range from 11 - 46 even 50.

 

I'm running 1x10 on my HT and using the sun race cassette - works perfectly

Also running 34 x 11-46 sunrace 11 speed .I like the the range of this cassette .Last cogs are 36 /40/46 .

[Jehosefat]

Maybe of people could learn to pedal high cadence they won't need 12 spd.... i got no problems grinding at 60kp/h with 30T ring

 

On a 30/11 that's a cadence of almost 160... I'm not convinced.

 

On 30/9 it's around 130 which is a lot more believable but still really, really fast

[Skinnyone]

I agree with BaGearA...if people learned to pedal more efficiently perhaps there would be no need for 11 and 12 speed stuff? I used to ride a 1x9 setup, I had a 36 ring and 11-36 cassette...never had a days issue or mountain I couldn't get over...

 

Don't get me wrong, if I had the cash I would go for Sram 1x system but doubt I would go to the eagle option - that is overkill in my mind.

[Groadie]

We are spoiled for choice really. We are in constant search for newer (and flashier?) components...and they do have a pricetag! 

The Eagle is very cool and has a proven track record (already) amongst the world's elite riders. Personally I prefer Shimano (and that's my prerogative) and opted for a 1x11 (32: 46-11) for this years Epic. I'm a 90kg-plus rider and got up all rideable hills to finish top 30 in the Masters (OK - I am proud of that!)

If someone gave me an Eagle groupset for free and said "Its yours! Enjoy it!", then I would ride it - no doubt. But when I'm paying, then my legs might need to work that slight extra percentage more to cover the financial shortfall. But if you don't mind dropping that much tin then I say enjoy it! (until the next innovative groupset comes along)

[Thor Buttox]

Also running 34 x 11-46 sunrace 11 speed .I like the the range of this cassette .Last cogs are 36 /40/46 .

Me too, except 11x42. Just as good for my skill set. R790. Thanks. Very few hills I can't get up, and mostly that is my lack of tech skill