If you’re fortunate enough to be converting to SRAM’s 11-speed gearing (such as XX1 or X01), you’ll probably be aware that the slightly odd yet wonderful cassettes have a unique mounting system.
You will need either a new hub/wheel with a compatible freehub body, or you’ll need to convert your existing hub by adding an XD driver body. Since not all hubs have the same dimensions, there isn’t a universal SRAM driver available (or a universal price), but most high-end wheel/hub manufacturers do offer them — check below to see if your hub is included.
For this guide, we will be demonstrating the swap using a DT Swiss hub. The procedure is the same for all DT Star Drive (ratchet system) hubs and the principle is much the same for others too.
Thinking of upgrading?
Check below to see if you’ll need a whole new wheel or just a new driver. Companies are adding XD driver bodies on a weekly basis, so check with the manufacturer/distributor first. These are the currently available drivers, and their prices:
- DT Swiss (hotlines-uk.com) £70
- Fulcrum (i-ride.co.uk) £144.99
- Hope (hopetech.com) £65
- Mavic (mavic.co.uk) £64
- Spank (hotlines-uk.com) £79.99
- Novatec (extrauk.co.uk) £90
- Crank Bros (extrauk.co.uk) £49.99
- No Tubes (paligap.cc) £60
For a full step-by-step guide to fitting a SRAM XD driver, see the April 2014 issue of MBR, out on Wednesday March 5.