I’m riding a 2025 Revel Rascal SL with the new SRAM XO Transmission setup (cassette is CS-XS-1295-A1). The bike’s basically brand new — only five rides total.
On a short punchy climb today, I was in too easy of a gear, so I downshifted to a harder gear while pedaling. Heard a loud thud, and the drivetrain instantly felt off. Stopped mid-ride, looked closer, and saw four teeth completely bent outward on the 3rd gear of the cassette (pics attached).
I actually stopped on the trail and bent the teeth back by hand just to finish the ride — stuck to harder gears the rest of the way out.
I’ve been mountain biking for 8 years and have never bent cassette teeth before — especially not on something that’s supposed to handle “shifting under load.” SRAM markets Transmission as bombproof, but this feels pretty fragile.
I’ve always liked the Eagle GX and X0 (non-Transmission) cassettes — those things are bombproof. Maybe SRAM is chasing too much weight savings and not enough tensile strength here?
Curious if anyone else has had similar failures on the 1295 cassette. I already filed a warranty claim, but I’d love to hear how others’ XO or XX versions are holding up.
by nvaxballer
7 Comments
Sheesh that’s nuts. I’d say you were riding as intended lol
Yes, it can happen from torque.
Good news is you are strong.
Bad news is you need the heavier, and stronger, GX cassette.
I have tried all different drive trains but swear by GX cassettes as well. Just food for thought, I would pop chains and shred hubs at 240lbs but seems to be a non-issue at 215lbs (or I learned to shift a lot smarter) 🤷🏽♂️
I’ve been riding the same stuff at 175lbs on my older (2019) Intense Tracer and 3 year old enduro both with GX cassettes and zero point zero issues minus blowing apart a chain a couple times.
Also, it’s my first time with transmission and I feel with a “fly-by-wire” system you lose that in tune feeling with the bike that you get with a cable shift. Hopefully SRAM covers. GX version on order and if they cover it then I’ll have a spare. MTB=Copays and bike parts.
Don’t worry, they won’t warranty it, ask me how I know.
IT sHiifTS undErLoAD BetTa
I’ve just bought a new bike with the same drive train and am really struggling with the AXS. It shifts worse than my previous x01 cabled set up. I’ve taken it to another bike shop after one ride of it just shifting like crap and dropping gears. I was looking forward to the crisp shifts and increased ability to shift underload but so far it’s been a massive step down.