AXS Install Question

Hi, i swapped a X01 RD for a AXS GX RD, i used original chain then set the B tension with the provided tool and all worked fine for me..

I'm not sure about the chain length but I'd just try it and see if it's right or not according to the instructions. If you want to be sure you'll be riding that same day you could always pick up a new chain first and either use it if you need it or save it for later if you don't. I have a feeling the length will be fine though, assuming it was sized right to start with.

I wouldn't worry too much about the backpedaling issue. It is good that you're getting a tool to check/adjust alignment because that's an important first step.

Good luck and have fun!

I have my 2 AXS derailleurs on SRAMano set ups, but I do remember SRAM saying that the AXS cages are 10mm shorter than the cable versions. I assume that could have an impact on necessary chain length?

I too read about the shorter cages but also read that the RD makes the chain 'wrap around' the cassette a bit more, so i guessed that kinda balanced out the shorter cage length for me and i left the chain stock length, but i am a novice here ...

fftfk said:

My wife got me the XO1 AXS upgrade kit for Christmas. I have a couple of questions related to installing it:

1. My bike is fairly new, has an X01 drivetrain, and only has about 130 miles on it. All of the install videos mention sizing the chain correctly for installing the kit. Is there any major difference in chain length between the original x01 and AXS version? Just wondering if I should get a new chain before attempting the install. I do not have any extra links for the chain.
2. Starting two rides ago my bike has been dropping the chain off the largest gear when backpedaling. Does this sound like a chain fitment issue? About the same time I also had a slow speed crash onto the drive side. I have been thinking the hanger might have a slight bend to it so was going to get the Park Tool derailleur tool. There seems to be a lot of differences of opinion on chain dropping with some saying it is common on 1x and others pointing to various issues. Just trying to figure out the best/correct order of steps to look at since I am going to working on the drive train anyway.

Thanks.

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Backpedaling my be a chainlink issue. It may go away as you wear in your chain and and largest cog.

Since you are having issues with the rear derailleur, I would definitely check the hanger, I have a new bike with Sram AXS, I was having an issue of the bike not shifting easily thru all the gears. I was using the micro adjust to dial in the shifting, but no matter what I did, one or two of the gears would hang up either shifting up or down depending my micro adjustments. Bought a hanger alignment tool, my hanger was out of alignment, fixed my issue.

Chain length is determined independent from the derailleur, so if your chain is sized correctly for your X01 drivetrain it will work perfect with the AXS derailleur 👍

Chain length:
Set suspension at full compression (take air out of shock and compress fully, or remove coil) and wrap chain around chainring and largest cog in rear. Chain length should be where the links meet plus 2 links.

Mine is a coil and a little trickier to do. I had to remove shock and stuff towel in rear swingarm between tire and seat tube to keep suspension from slamming into seattube and use tape measure between shock mounts to set it at 140mm (190mm shock - 50mm full travel).

Thanks for all of the input. Questions on the derailleur hanger - if it is bent is it better to replace it or try to bend it back? Do they all need some adjustment when on? It looks like all of the videos show the hanger being bent while on the bike. It is the sram universal hanger.

fftfk said:

Thanks for all of the input. Questions on the derailleur hanger - if it is bent is it better to replace it or try to bend it back? Do they all need some adjustment when on? It looks like all of the videos show the hanger being bent while on the bike. It is the sram universal hanger.

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I kind of hate those sram universal hangers because of that plastic(?) mounting bolt but the hanger itself is really stout and hard to bend. The whole idea of derailleur hanger alignment tools is to be able to align the hanger on the bike but it can be scary trying to straighten one that requires a lot of force. Always worrisome but I've never damaged a frame, yet 🙃

Replacements are relatively cheap for those I think. Good luck!

fftfk said:

Thanks for all of the input. Questions on the derailleur hanger - if it is bent is it better to replace it or try to bend it back? Do they all need some adjustment when on? It looks like all of the videos show the hanger being bent while on the bike. It is the sram universal hanger.

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I always have a backup hanger for all of my bikes, I usually ride with it in my tool kit.

If it's a slight bend, I would realign it and also buy a new one as a back up.

Just an FYI for the chain dropping off the largest cog while back pedaling. I've had/have Eagle on 3 different bikes, all with different length chainstays and all 3 dropped the chain in less than 3 crank rotations... usually one. All 3 bikes had/have GX 10-50 cassette and a GX chain.

I upgraded one of the bikes to an X01 chain due to supply limitations and low and behold the chain drop was gone. I can back pedal in the stand forever and it won't come off. I made no other changes... not even a single click of barrel adjustment.

I then bought 1 more X01 and a black XX1 for my other bikes and both of them had the same result... back pedal forever without a drop and not a single change other that the chain swap.

The GX chain is laterally much stiffer than either the X01 or XX1 and you can feel it while holding the chains in each hand and then turning them sideways. That lack of lateral flexibility by the GX chain is the only thing I can point to as the cause.

Chain length stays exactly the same

your chain dropping issue could be a bent hanger or your derailleur could be misaligned.
Also what chainring are your using and on what crankset?

Brad said:

Chain length stays exactly the same

your chain dropping issue could be a bent hanger or your derailleur could be misaligned.
Also what chainring are your using and on what crankset?

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Everything should be XO1 per the specs. Is there a way to confirm the version of the chain?

I ordered an extra hanger and the alignment tool…will update when I am able to check everything.

I'm pretty sure the X01 chain has hollow pins, the GX has solid pins

XO1 chain is silver with hollow pins.
GX is silver outer plates , black inner plates with solid rivets pins. The version of the chain won’t cause the issues you’re trying to solve. The chains are also interchangeable as long as it’s on an Eagle system. I also use the eagle chains on my 11 speed road bike drivetrains and these outlast the Shimano 11 speed chains by a huge margin. I’m on my second eagle XO1 chain on my one road bike. Just replaced it after 24000kmmkf service (3years)