Marginal gains for SRAM’s direct-mount Eagle drivetrains
CeramicSpeed has launched a new Oversized Pulley Wheel System designed specifically for SRAM’s Eagle Transmission drivetrains.
According to CeramicSpeed, the OSPW X for SRAM Eagle Transmission offers improvements in both efficiency and durability.
The design is based on CeramicSpeed’s new ‘Further Drive’ technology. This comprises of the ‘Active Debris Remover’ and ‘Alpha Disc’ two-piece construction.
CeramicSpeed’s OSPW systems are relatively common on pro-level WorldTour road bikes, but less so on high-end mountain bikes. Oversized pulley wheel systems are typically accompanied by claims of reduced drivetrain friction and, as a result, improved efficiency.
Here, however, CeramicSpeed has taken an oversized system and focused on “the robustness that the Eagle Transmission group is celebrated for”.
The ‘Active Debris Remover’ encloses the bearing, according to CeramicSpeed, with a “new dust cover design that sits safely anchored in a groove in the pulley wheel. This is paired with a bladed groove structure that surrounds the dust cover, which dynamically extracts debris from the pulley wheel when it’s rotating”.
CeramicSpeed says a prototype version was tested at this year’s Cape Epic XC marathon race.
‘Alpha Disc’, meanwhile, is a 20-tooth solid disc pulley wheel. It’s a two-piece construction, combining the narrow-wide tooth profile – apparently made from a “composite material that offers prolonged wear protection and noise reduction” – with a solid aluminium disc.
This, according to CeramicSpeed, eliminates the potential of external objects getting stuck between the spokes of the pulley wheel.
While CeramicSpeed offers an OSPW Aero system, this new Eagle design isn’t accompanied by any aerodynamic claims. “Our development and focus for Alpha Disc was specifically related to the functional attributes and protection afforded by the solid pulley disc,” says CeramicSpeed.
SRAM’s Eagle Transmission drivetrain was first introduced in March, utilising a direct-mount rear derailleur design that removes the derailleur hanger from the equation.
SRAM says it honed in on the durability of the design, with user-replaceable components, such as the cage, Skid Plate and outer parallelogram links.
The toothed outer portion of the Eagle Transmission derailleur’s lower pulley wheel can also rotate independently from the spoked centre section. If blocked, the outer portion of the pulley continues to rotate on the stationary centre’s spokes, reducing the chances of chain jam and damage.
While the stars of CeramicSpeed’s show are the solid-spoked jockey wheels, a new carbon fibre derailleur cage is also included.
According to the brand, the cage uses a weightier construction “without adding unnecessary bulk”.
Presumably, however, the need for an updated cage is to accommodate the massive 20-tooth lower jockey wheel, up four teeth from the standard wheel.
CeramicSpeed is quick to claim the carbon cage is “in line with the robustness” of a standard Eagle Transmission.
CeramicSpeed’s new OSPW X system is compatible with XX SL, XX, X0 and GX versions of Eagle Transmission.
It runs with a 10-52t cassette and the oversized pulley systems weighs a claimed 110g, according to CeramicSpeed.
OSPW X for SRAM Eagle AXS Transmission costs a cool €579 / $669, comes in two colours – black and silver – and is available now.