90 Series Transmission

SRAM just launched the new 90 Series Transmission. All the advantages of T-Type full mount drivetrain with the reliability of mechanical shifting? Sounds good. It's already available on the Edit MX...

So what's all the fuss about? If we cut through the marketing guff it's actually quite simple. Until very recently, pretty much all drivetrains had to contend with the fact that every bike frame is different. And so they needed to deal with a lot of clearances and had to incorporate a wide range of adjustment, just to make sure they work. And that didn't always work. Ever had a drivetrain that you can't quite get 100% dialled? Yeah me too. 

Enter SRAM's UDH standard. I know, we all welcome new standards about as much as a kick in the nuts, but UDH (or Universal Derailleur Hanger) is actually a good idea. It's a single standard for designing the rear dropout/axle/hanger area of a bike that's freely available for us all to use. It means anyone can run any UDH hanger from any shop anywhere in the world. We could see the potential for UDH straight away, so we made a big effort to ensure that the Edit and the Slacker are compatible.

Once that's locked in and enough frames run UDH, the real prize is to get rid of the derailleur hanger altogether. What if you could bolt the derailleur directly to the frame? It would be a lot closer inboard, so out of the way of problems. There would be no need for all those adjustment screws because it would be perfectly aligned from the start. Enter SRAM's Transmission Series (sometimes called T-Type). SRAM started with the top-end X0 AXS Wireless drivetrain that we fit to the Edit MX Works, and they now also offer a GX AXS Wireless version. But for those of us who like good old-fashioned mechanical shifting, nothing until now.

90 Series Transmission offers all the advantages of a direct-mount drivetrain, but with cable-actuated mechanical shifting. It's simple, it's reliable, it's rugged, and it works. It's set to be the go-to drivetrain for core riders. We're on board with it straight away, and we're now offering it on the Edit MX Core (no extra cost).

We fit the 90 Series 165mm alloy crank and spec the 2x optional bashguards, the best combo for a bike like the Edit MX. Note the MRP SL io chain guide which is designed specifically to work with the Transmission series bashguards. One of the many small touches we put into the bikes that make the whole so much better.

You can see how mounting the derailleur Directly to the dropout brings everything higher up and further inboard. It's a much cleaner, simpler solution which over a bike's lifespan means much better reliability.

90 Series Transmission gives you 1x12 gearing with a 520% range. The cassette's a 10-52t as with Eagle drivetrain, which we pair with a 32t sprocket up front.

A Word on Reliability

As you know, reliability and serviceability are important aspects to all our frame designs. So it's great to see that 90 Series represents a big step forward in reliability. Unlike recent generations of drivetrain, 90 Series is serviceable and rebuildable. Or to put it another way, you don't need to buy a new rear mech if you smash it off a rock.

SRAM claim that the 90 Series derailleur is the strongest mechanical mech they've ever made. It certainly looks and feels like it when you see it. But if the worst happens, all is not lost... it has replaceable inner and outer parallelogram links, skid plates and a tool-free threaded cage assembly. If you break or bend the cage, it takes 30 seconds just to wind a replacement on. That's gotta be a good thing.

Available Now on the Edit MX Core

We've already secured stock and as of today, the Edit MX Core is available with SRAM 90 Series Transmission (no extra charge). At time of writing, Raw frames are in the building and Elastoplast are due in a couple of days. So the build queue is short. Order one now and you'll have it in around one week's time.