Edit: Nevermind, just saw you already had the rest of the drivetrain.
new build for bikepacking - would you go for gx axs or xo1 mech?
On my newest build I am debating if I want to go xo1 mechanical or pony up for gx axs...I keep going back and forth. On this build I only need a rear der. and shifter, so either way need to buy a new one. Already have the rest of the drivetrain...got lucky and scored a gently used xx1 cassette which I am excited to try out.
This is a hardtail build and will be used for lots of general trail riding, but also bikepacking. If I wasn't using it bikepacking I would probably go axs without a second thought, but for bikepacking I am a little more hesitant to go axs. Wondering if anyone has experience using axs on long bikepacking trips/races - has it been reliable enough that you don't worry about it? Do you typically just carry an extra battery or do you bring the charger + battery bank with you too just to be safe?
On one hand, I figure just go mechanical x01, set it and forget it. On the other, more vain hand, axs looks awesome and I like tech. Decisions decisions...
good news is I probably can't go "wrong" with either!
This is a hardtail build and will be used for lots of general trail riding, but also bikepacking. If I wasn't using it bikepacking I would probably go axs without a second thought, but for bikepacking I am a little more hesitant to go axs. Wondering if anyone has experience using axs on long bikepacking trips/races - has it been reliable enough that you don't worry about it? Do you typically just carry an extra battery or do you bring the charger + battery bank with you too just to be safe?
On one hand, I figure just go mechanical x01, set it and forget it. On the other, more vain hand, axs looks awesome and I like tech. Decisions decisions...
good news is I probably can't go "wrong" with either!
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no problem, definitely like shimano stuff too but yeah already have a bunch of sram stuff and XD driver on my hub!Edit: Nevermind, just saw you already had the rest of the drivetrain.
I have HT that I ride Singlespeed and have thought about bikepacking with it. The issue is I want gears for bikepacking and AXS is easy to slap on since there is not cable routing to deal with. But if the AXS fails on the trail you are screwed. Seems like mechanical is less headache to deal with in remote locations or if you need to roll into a bike shop for parts you probably can deal with mechanical easier than AXS.
On a recent built I choose mechanical over axs simply because i can leave with the bike any time I am ready, and don’t have to remember to charge every once in a while.
I am too busy these days and look for simplicity. Set it and forget it. When I was earlier in my career, life was so simple I dont mind needing to remember to charge things. Too many other misc things now days, brain is fully out of capacity.
I am too busy these days and look for simplicity. Set it and forget it. When I was earlier in my career, life was so simple I dont mind needing to remember to charge things. Too many other misc things now days, brain is fully out of capacity.
Hardtail build I would go cable. The clutch on axs isn’t as strong in my experience.
ive done metric tons of backpacking, and a good amount of mtb, but have yet to combine the two. knowing both worlds and guessing how they merge, if i wasnt planning on any mega long (like multi week) treks i think id opt for axs.
as it stands, batteties last a LONG time on those things. i also carry a spare in my pack because it weighs nothing and takes up no space. i later added the axs dropper which can serve as yet another emergency back battery. i might even add one more spare in my pack for bikepacking, and id feel pretty confident at that point.
aside from just loving how it functions and feels, id have to imagine its an advantage for bikepacking to have less cabling up front where a bar bag might be needed. and if you arent loading up beta firmware (honestly, no real reason to even load routine firmware on these things since they never seem to add anything... what more do ya need it to do other than just shift reliably?) i would trust the system to do its job.
and if theres a mid trip detour to a shop for repairs, even if they dont stock axs id think worst case is just swapping to a complete mechanical system to get going.
as long as you arent among the unlucky who have axs go full brick mode, theres always battery swapping as an option, and manually changing gears with the button on the der (single and double tap i believe will move it one gear up/down) to limp along in a pinch if the controller explodes.
as it stands, batteties last a LONG time on those things. i also carry a spare in my pack because it weighs nothing and takes up no space. i later added the axs dropper which can serve as yet another emergency back battery. i might even add one more spare in my pack for bikepacking, and id feel pretty confident at that point.
aside from just loving how it functions and feels, id have to imagine its an advantage for bikepacking to have less cabling up front where a bar bag might be needed. and if you arent loading up beta firmware (honestly, no real reason to even load routine firmware on these things since they never seem to add anything... what more do ya need it to do other than just shift reliably?) i would trust the system to do its job.
and if theres a mid trip detour to a shop for repairs, even if they dont stock axs id think worst case is just swapping to a complete mechanical system to get going.
as long as you arent among the unlucky who have axs go full brick mode, theres always battery swapping as an option, and manually changing gears with the button on the der (single and double tap i believe will move it one gear up/down) to limp along in a pinch if the controller explodes.
Definitely X01 mech (GX is good too). I'm not against AXS, I think it's sick, but for backpacking I personally wouldn't want it. Already enough to worry about, no use adding to the list of potential problems.On my newest build I am debating if I want to go xo1 mechanical or pony up for gx axs...I keep going back and forth. On this build I only need a rear der. and shifter, so either way need to buy a new one. Already have the rest of the drivetrain...got lucky and scored a gently used xx1 cassette which I am excited to try out.
This is a hardtail build and will be used for lots of general trail riding, but also bikepacking. If I wasn't using it bikepacking I would probably go axs without a second thought, but for bikepacking I am a little more hesitant to go axs. Wondering if anyone has experience using axs on long bikepacking trips/races - has it been reliable enough that you don't worry about it? Do you typically just carry an extra battery or do you bring the charger + battery bank with you too just to be safe?
On one hand, I figure just go mechanical x01, set it and forget it. On the other, more vain hand, axs looks awesome and I like tech. Decisions decisions...
good news is I probably can't go "wrong" with either!
Taking cost out of the equation, it's just a risk vs reward thing ... Reward is you get a cool new gadget to play with, and a cleaner aesthetic that looks pretty sick. Risk is it could potentially ruin your trip or at the very least cause an inconvenience.
IMO best use for AXS is on a trail bike, where you're mostly riding local trails and not too far off the grid.
I'm all about simplicity on my bikepacking setup. That said, even with AXS if the battery dies you should be able to limp out. You might have to push an undesirable gear to do so, but you shouldn't be walking just because a battery dies. I do all of my bikepacking single speed, but if I ran gears my drivetrain would be the least of my concern. A chunk of chain, a breaker and an extra quick link are going to solve the worst of your drivetrain issues, aside from something catastrophic like a broken crank arm (which you can't really plan for).
I'd pick the derailleur you really want for the general trail riding and just plan accordingly when you take bikepacking trips. I'd be more worried about being stranded due to catastrophic failure that you can't plan for (like a broken frame) or an injury.
I'd pick the derailleur you really want for the general trail riding and just plan accordingly when you take bikepacking trips. I'd be more worried about being stranded due to catastrophic failure that you can't plan for (like a broken frame) or an injury.
X01 between those options. My bikepacking hardtail has a mash up of Shimano and SRAM 11 speed parts.
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