SRAM’s existing Downhill drivetrain – XO1 DH – has been around a while but it’s still priced way above what a lot of riders like to pay for mechs and cassettes. So SRAM have brought out a DH version of their ‘everyman’ GX drivetrain.

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Like XO1 DH, the new GX DH is a close-ratio 7-speed system designed for single chainring setups. Downhillers don’t need a huge range of gears so the cassette is 11-25T.

Whilst not exactly cheapy cheap, the new GX DH stuff has significantly lower price tags than XO1 DH stuff. We’re talking about £26 for a cassette rather than £230.

The new GX DH range essentially compromises a rear mech, a cassette and a shifter.

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There’s no GX DH crankset or GX DH chain in the line-up. SRAM advise using a Truvativ Descendant DH crankset and a PC-1130 chain as suitable pairings with GX DH bits.

We also expect plenty of existing XO1 DH owners to be delighted to hear about the release of GX DH components. More affordable bread-and-butter components. Less wincing as you crash down over rough tracks. The two drivetrains are entirely interchangeable and compatible.

SRAM GX DH 1x X-Horizon rear mech

• X-Horizon body design limits unwamted horizontal movement, resulting in less shift force, less ghost shifting and less cage slap
• Medium cage only
• Max tooth 28T
• Large top jockey wheel with offset design maintains constant chain gap through whole gear range
• £88.00 SRP

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SRAM GX DH 1x X-Actuation trigger shifter

• Max upshifts: 5
• Positive click-y feel
• £35.00 SRP

Above video: How to set up your rear gears

SRAM PG-720 cassette

• The GX DH cassette
• 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 22, 25 teeth
• £26 SRP

No weights have been released as yet. Obviously they’ll be heavier than XO1 DH components but it’ll be interesting to see how they compare – and if the pricing of XO1 DH stuff begins to drop.