{"id":129953,"date":"2016-05-17T16:00:06","date_gmt":"2016-05-17T14:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mtb-mag.com\/?p=129953"},"modified":"2016-05-19T07:48:53","modified_gmt":"2016-05-19T05:48:53","slug":"first-ride-srams-new-ex1-e-bike-drive-train","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mtb-mag.com\/en\/first-ride-srams-new-ex1-e-bike-drive-train\/","title":{"rendered":"[First Ride] SRAM’S New EX1 E-Bike Drive Train"},"content":{"rendered":"

[ad3]<\/p>\n

Pedal assist mountain bikes have come a long way in the last few years, however the drive trains that have been used are generally adapted from the normal pedal bikes, which means that in some instances, due to the increased power that an E-bike produces, performance is not optimized.\u00a0 SRAM recognised this and have been developing the EX1 drive train specifically for E-bikes.<\/p>\n

During their presentation event in Finale Ligure, we were also able to test ride the new parts which will be hitting the market in September.<\/p>\n

\"untitled<\/a>
The new EX1 drive train components.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"untitled<\/a>
Mounted on our test bike.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Specifications<\/h3>\n

The EX1 group-set has a range of new features that we take a look at below.<\/p>\n

X-HORIZON\u2122 Derailleur<\/h4>\n

\"untitled<\/a><\/p>\n

    \n
  • SPEEDS\u2028 – 8<\/li>\n
  • CABLE PULL RATIO \u20281:1<\/li>\n
  • MAX TOOTH\u2028 48<\/li>\n
  • \u2028COLOR\u2028 Black<\/li>\n
  • PULLEY BEARINGS MATERIAL \u2028Steel<\/li>\n
  • CAGE MATERIAL\u2028 Aluminum<\/li>\n
  • WEIGHT \u2028289g<\/li>\n
  • Price \u20ac165<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Shifter<\/h4>\n

    SRAM has engineered a new shifter that only allows shifting in single steps reflecting the thirty percent ratio differences now between gear cogs.<\/p>\n

    \"untitled<\/a><\/p>\n

      \n
    • SPEEDS \u20288<\/li>\n
    • COMPATIBILITY \u20288-speed rear derailleur<\/li>\n
    • CABLE PULL RATIO \u2028X-ACTUATION\u2122<\/li>\n
    • COLOR \u2028Black<\/li>\n
    • CABLE LENGTH\u2028 2200mm<\/li>\n
    • X-ACTUATION\u2122 TRIGGER SHIFTER<\/li>\n
    • SHIFTER TYPE\u2028 Trigger<\/li>\n
    • MATCHMAKER COMPATIBLE\u2028 Yes<\/li>\n
    • MAX UPSHIFTS \u20281<\/li>\n
    • MAX DOWNSHIFTS\u2028 1<\/li>\n
    • \u2028MULTI-POSITION\u2028 Yes<\/li>\n
    • \u2028PART WEIGHT\u2028122g<\/li>\n
    • Price \u20ac55<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      E- Block\u2122\u2028 Cassette<\/h4>\n

      The largest improvement is the new 8 speed cassette: SRAM has engineered a cassette that allows smooth shifting under high loads.<\/p>\n

      \"untitled<\/a><\/p>\n

        \n
      • 8\u2028GEARING\u2028 11-48t<\/li>\n
      • \u2028COG FINISH\u2028 Black<\/li>\n
      • TECHNOLOGY\u2028 XG<\/li>\n
      • COG SIZES \u202811t, 13t, 15t, 18t, 24t, 32t, 40t, 48t<\/li>\n
      • COGS ON CLUSTER \u20285<\/li>\n
      • Price \u20ac450<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \"untitled<\/a>
        The chain path across the cassette is highly controlled. The chain can only sit in a specific place on the cassette, correction teeth ensure this happens on every rotation or shift if the chain is out of sync.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        SRAM says:<\/p>\n

        “11-48 8-speed cassette machined\u2028 from case-hardened tool steel.\u2028 The ideal mid-ship motor gear range\u2028 with increased chain wrap on the \u2028climbing cogs\u2028. Symmetric shifting geometry allows\u2028 fast, precise gear shifts. The \u2028new optimal inboard and outboard\u2028 shifting performance\u2028 works with bigger steps between cassette\u2028 cogs under control. It is a completely new cassette \u2028technology engineered specifically\u2028 for the demands of E-MTB and it is \u2028Non XD\u2122 driver body compatible.”
        \n<\/em><\/p>\n

        [ad45]<\/p>\n

        Crank set And Chain Rings<\/h4>\n

        SRAM has also engineered a new crankset and range of chain rings for the various motors on the market.<\/p>\n

        \"untitled<\/p>\n

          \n
        • \u2028CRANK ARM LENGTH \u2028170mm, 175mm<\/li>\n
        • COLOR \u2028Black<\/li>\n
        • \u2028CRANK ARM MATERIAL\u2028 Aluminum<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          \"untitled<\/a><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Direct mount (Bosch);\u2028104 BCD (Brose) \u2028TEETH\u202814, 16, 18 (Bosch); 34 (Brose)<\/li>\n
          • COLOR\u2028 Black<\/li>\n
          • MATERIAL\u2028 Aluminum (Bosch); Steel (Brose)<\/li>\n
          • BB COMPATIBILITY \u2028ISIS<\/li>\n
          • Price \u20ac20<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Chain<\/h4>\n

            SRAM’s new eight speed chain deals with all the forces that an E-bike drive train can exert while it\u00a0transmits power.<\/p>\n

            \"untitled<\/a><\/p>\n

              \n
            • COMPATIBILITY \u20288-speed<\/li>\n
            • \u2028COLOR \u2028Grey<\/li>\n
            • \u2028CHAIN CONNECTOR<\/li>\n
            • PowerLock\u00ae<\/li>\n
            • INNER LINK FINISH\u2028 Polished<\/li>\n
            • OUTER LINK FINISH\u2028 Nickel<\/li>\n
            • PIN VARIANT \u2028Solid Pin<\/li>\n
            • PIN TREATMENT\u2028 Chrome Hardened<\/li>\n
            • Price \u20ac30<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
              \"untitled<\/a>
              The cassette is clearly engineered with weight in mind and the large 48T cog should allow almost vertical climbing…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
              \"untitled<\/a>
              The new cassette sits on a standard non XD driver body. The rear of the cassette has a special interface that spaces the cassette properly and allows up to 650nm of force.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
              \"untitled<\/a>
              The various stages of the design and production process are shown here. Again SRAM has developed a special method to make the rear cassette similar to the XX1 cassette production.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
              \"untitled<\/a>
              SRAM’s chief cassette engineer Henrik Braedt was on hand to show us how the cassette works and talk us through the thought process that went into developing it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

              On The Trail<\/h4>\n

              The only true way to see how new components work is to actually try them. In this case, SRAM had arranged a test fleet of bikes with the components mounted to test, including their new Guide RE brakes which are also being announced today. The idea was to ride for a day and get a real world understanding of how shifting has improved. Our base for the test was in Finale Ligure, without shuttle support!<\/p>\n

              \"untitled<\/a><\/p>\n

              \"untitled<\/a><\/p>\n

              Our first ride out was from close to the beach in Finale, we rode almost 1000 metres uphill on our first accent. We tracked our route so it is possible to see where we went and how much is possible with an E-bike.<\/p>\n