Ever dreamt of the crisp, precise shifts of an electronic drivetrain but don’t trust yourself to keep the batteries charged? You’re not alone. Mountain biking has evolved to take more and more time to get out the door, as you have to ensure your computer, lights, drivetrain and dropper batteries are charged as well as the procedural tyre pressure check and bike lube.
SRAM’s Eagle 70 and 90 Transmission, unveiled today, brings the best of both worlds – flawless shifting, unmatched durability, and zero risk of dead batteries, news to the ears of a chaotic raccoon of a rider with organisational skills that don’t leave the office. Built around the Full Mount interface seen on their electronic groupsets, these groupsets ditch the traditional derailleur hanger for a rock-solid attachment to the frame, ensuring bombproof reliability and effortless shifting under load. Whether you’re an all-day adventurer, a full-gas racer, or just a bit chaotic when it comes to bike maintenance, SRAM’s latest mechanical transmission delivers the dream – no batteries required.
SRAM Eagle 90
Designed for riders who demand the absolute best, Eagle 90 Transmission brings mechanical shifting into the modern era. The system integrates T-Type compatibility, meaning it’s fully in sync with SRAM’s electronic Transmission ecosystem while delivering the tactile feel of a traditional cable-actuated derailleur.
Key features of SRAM Eagle 90:
- Hangerless Interface: The derailleur mounts directly to the frame for maximum durability and alignment.
- Eagle 90 Shifter: Featuring a premium textured aluminum shift lever with optimized ergonomics for smooth, precise actuation. Available in a double-click variant for standard bikes and a single-click version for E-MTB use.
- Best-in-Class Shifting Under Load: The X-Sync tooth profile and 44 optimized shift points on the XS-1275 Cassette ensure instant engagement, even when cranking up climbs.
- Rebuildable Derailleur: The most serviceable mechanical derailleur SRAM has ever built – with replaceable parallelogram links, skid plates, and a tool-free threaded cage assembly.
- Forged Aluminum Crankset: Offered in 155mm to 175mm lengths, with 8-bolt chainring compatibility and optional bash guards.
- E-MTB Ready: Shorter 150mm crank arms available, built for pedal-assist rigs with SRAM, Bosch, and Brose compatibility.
- Stealth Cockpit Integration: Optimised cable routing and a low-profile aluminum shift lever keep your bar setup clean.
SRAM Eagle 70
Eagle 70 Transmission delivers rugged reliability without the premium price tag. Sharing much of the same Full Mount technology, the Eagle 70 system is a workhorse groupset for those who value durability and simplicity.
Key features of SRAM Eagle 70
- Full Mount Derailleur: Eliminates the weakest link in traditional drivetrains – no hanger, no worries.
- XS-1270 Cassette: Features a replaceable 8-12 gear cluster, extended 10-52T range, and black nickel chrome finish.
- Stamped Steel Chainring: available in sizes 30-34T.
- Eagle 70 Crankset: Forged aluminum arms available in 165mm, 170mm, and 175mm lengths.
- Flattop Chain: Fully E-MTB approved, engineered for high torque loads.
- Dropper Lever Integration: Matches SRAM Stealth brakes and shifters for a unified look and feel.
Why Eagle Mechanical Matters
For years, riders have asked for a SRAM mechanical groupset with the snap and feel of electronic shifting – without batteries. While the top end of the market has been dominated by SRAM’s AXS offerings, there has been a gaping hole in developing new, affordable technology that isn’t electronic. With the Eagle 90 and 70 Transmission, SRAM states that the benefits of instantaneous shifting under full power, a foolproof installation process, and a claimed strongest mechanical derailleur ever built all add up to a robust mechanical package worthy of everyday abuse.
Final Thoughts
With Eagle 90 and 70 Transmission, SRAM is proving that mechanical drivetrains are far from dead. This is shifting that claims to be ready to take on anything from all-day backcountry adventures to full-gas race days. If you thought mechanical was yesterday’s news, think again.
We have a brand new set of Eagle 90 and Motive brakes on test, stay tuned for our first impressions!
