SRAM T-type failure across all transmission type e-bikes

[steve_sordy]

I think Santa Cruz just want to blame someone else and not there bikes, did you fit the t type system or was it on the bike when you got it ? Also Iv had bullet and the heckler and found both bikes where rubbish and I changed back to specialized levo s which I found where so much better n every way , currently now on px amflow and even they can get a bike correct out of the box with amazing t type system

Santa Cruz the organisation are not involved in this, other than that the local dealer is overseeing the repair. The T-type system and the e13 hub were all on the bike when I bought it. It is the original equipment for the Vala 90. I have found the SC Vala 90 to be a fantastic bike. That this problem occurred has not put me off the bike one bit.

If the problem is caused by some peculiar interaction between the hub and the cassette, or an assembly error (I don't know yet which it is), then it will be fixed eventually. It will not have diminished my regard for the bike. I love it.

 

[Will Slatcher]

@steve_sordy could you private msg me, I have the exact same problem as you describe with the same setup, so would be good to have a chat with you. I think it is the E13 hub free hub that is the issue, as I have around 2mm+ play on mine side to side and have added spacers washers to stop the play.

 

[Mikerb]

Santa Cruz the organisation are not involved in this, other than that the local dealer is overseeing the repair. The T-type system and the e13 hub were all on the bike when I bought it. It is the original equipment for the Vala 90. I have found the SC Vala 90 to be a fantastic bike. That this problem occurred has not put me off the bike one bit.

If the problem is caused by some peculiar interaction between the hub and the cassette, or an assembly error (I don't know yet which it is), then it will be fixed eventually. It will not have diminished my regard for the bike. I love it.

Thats good. Having a bike failure can sour your love of a bike but it certainly helps if you have the kind of support you have had......and at the end of the day it is just a component that has failed.

 

[Mikerb]

@steve_sordy could you private msg me, I have the exact same problem as you describe with the same setup, so would be good to have a chat with you. I think it is the E13 hub free hub that is the issue, as I have around 2mm+ play on mine side to side and have added spacers washers to stop the play.

Interesting. SRAM specify the use of a 1.85mm spacer if installing a XD compatable cassette onto a XDR driver/freehub. Check whether your freehub is XD or XDR

 

[Mikerb]

Interesting. SRAM specify the use of a 1.85mm spacer if installing a XD compatable cassette onto a XDR driver/freehub. Check whether your freehub is XD or XDR

That applies to both standard Eagle and T Type 12 speed cassettes because the XDR freehub is slightly longer than a XD freehub.

 

[DrDexx]

I've just had this happen to me, Hope pro 5 (ebike) hub and SRAM XO cassette, locktite and correct torque were used when I installed the cassette. Has been installed for over a year with just a the odd check to see if it was tight.

Yet to remove the cassette to see what damage if any it has caused, but has left a nasty scuff on the inside face of the mech. luckily seems to have protected the frame.

My bike uses the bosch gen 4 motor, so less torque than then gen 5 on the Vala, will do some investigating and report back once Ive fully removed the cassette.

 

[Mikerb]

I've just had this happen to me, Hope pro 5 (ebike) hub and SRAM XO cassette, locktite and correct torque were used when I installed the cassette. Has been installed for over a year with just a the odd check to see if it was tight.

Yet to remove the cassette to see what damage if any it has caused, but has left a nasty scuff on the inside face of the mech. luckily seems to have protected the frame.

My bike uses the bosch gen 4 motor, so less torque than then gen 5 on the Vala, will do some investigating and report back once Ive fully removed the cassette.

wow...a year without servicing it! Could be a range of issues. My only experience with Hope kit was on my son's bike. On that occasion the end cap was the issue...it did not secure the freebub on the axle.

 

[DrDexx]

wow...a year without servicing it! Could be a range of issues. My only experience with Hope kit was on my son's bike. On that occasion the end cap was the issue...it did not secure the freebub on the axle.

Not much you can do to service a cassette other than clean it and check its tight.

 

[Mikerb]

That applies to both standard Eagle and T Type 12 speed cassettes because the XDR freehub is slightly longer than a XD freehub.

Ps....the "R" in XDR stands for Road. It really has no reason to be fitted on a mountain bike.

 

[Mikerb]

Not much you can do to service a cassette other than clean it and check its tight.

What you should be cleaning , and regreasing is the freehub which of course means removing the cassette

 

[Mikerb]

I've just had this happen to me, Hope pro 5 (ebike) hub and SRAM XO cassette, locktite and correct torque were used when I installed the cassette. Has been installed for over a year with just a the odd check to see if it was tight.

Yet to remove the cassette to see what damage if any it has caused, but has left a nasty scuff on the inside face of the mech. luckily seems to have protected the frame.

My bike uses the bosch gen 4 motor, so less torque than then gen 5 on the Vala, will do some investigating and report back once Ive fully removed the cassette.

There is no SRAM XO cassette!. If you have a full XO groupset the cassette is a XS 1295 which fits on a XD freehub.....same way as every other SRAM XD compatable cassette. No threadlocker should be used.
Maybe you need to identify exactly what cassette you have by reading the description or reference number on the back face of the cassette.

 

[Will Slatcher]

This is the issue I have,

Yesterday on the trail at Sherwood Pines my bike (Santa Cruz Vala) suddenly became sluggish. I checked all the usual things: Motor, was I dragging anything, obstruction, brakes binding and so forth. I came to the conclusion that the freehub was at fault. Pines bike shop are a Santa Cruz dealer so I went straight there.
Half an hour late I was told the following: The e13m freehub has seized and unwound the Sram Cassette. The cassette has been rubbing against the inside of the frame (fortunately, up against a metal piece that looks to have been put there for that purpose). The cassette is scrap. The wheel bearings were OK, but the hub was solid. Not e13 again I thought. So I wrote to the head of customer support in the USA, someone that had contacted me on another thread on this Forum about e13 hubs.
This was his response (spoiler alert - Not the fault of e13, but SRAM!)

Chris Costello (e13 Support)​

​

Jun 23, 2026, 15:49 PDT​

​

Hi Steve,​

Sorry to hear about this. Ive added James at Sherwood Pines Cycles to this email. ​

​

Unfortunately the hub failure was the result of your SRAM Transmission cassette loosening under normal use, contacting the derailleur mount and creating extreme inward force on the driver body. This issue is starting to be seen more and more on all Transmission spec ebikes despite it likely being installed to correct torque specification. ​

​

The cassette loosens to the point that it contacts the derailleur mount, and then the contact with the cassette lockring end causes a rapid loosening and heavy inward force on the driver. With some hubs it will cause excessive binding and lock the wheel up. With others it will cause the driver shell to push inward ​

​

Here is a Facebook post in the SRAM Transmission FB group where many riders of different model hubs are experiencing the issue: ​

​

We are in the process of drafting a Technical Service Bulletin about it. Despite the issue not being caused by our hub and being a direct result of the cassette loosening, we are helping riders with hub parts and SRAM should be contacted about parts and labor outside the hub. Ive been in contact with SRAM's USA Customer Experience Manager and he asked that cases be directed to SRAM. ​

​

Im going to pass your ticket to Joe at our UK office and he can work with James to get you sorted as quick as possible. From our end, I would suspect we can get something out to you quickly but need to confirm with Joe. The rest of the timeline would depend on SRAM and Sherwood Cycles service availability. ​

​

You guys should hear from Joe shortly. If you need anything further from my side, please send me a message .........​

​

Thanks,​

​

Chris​

I am happy about that response from e13. Not so happy that SRAM have this issue and are waiting for riders to experience the problem for themselves, rather than doing a recall or announcing a fix whatever... But maybe they have and I just am unaware of it. I will keep you informed.

So a further update with my issue.

Joe Poyzer at E13 was excellent in diagnosing my issue after a brief email conversation and phone call today, the spacer arrangement for which there are many was incorrect leading to my issue with play in the free hub. This has now been resolved.

It might be worth checking this article if some of you are getting similar issues as this has certainly identified the issue I had.

https://support.ethirteen.com/hc/en-us/articles/37762578419483-Freehub-spacer-arrangements-on-common-hub-models

Seems to be all good now , thanks to Joe at E13, great service.

 

[Mikerb]

This is the issue I have,

So a further update with my issue.

Joe Poyzer at E13 was excellent in diagnosing my issue after a brief email conversation and phone call today, the spacer arrangement for which there are many was incorrect leading to my issue with play in the free hub. This has now been resolved.

It might be worth checking this article if some of you are getting similar issues as this has certainly identified the issue I had.

https://support.ethirteen.com/hc/en-us/articles/37762578419483-Freehub-spacer-arrangements-on-common-hub-models

Seems to be all good now , thanks to Joe at E13, great service.

I bet every bike shop mechanic has all that dialled!.........NOT!

 

[Astro66]

There is no SRAM XO cassette!.

I don't want to be a stickler. But SRAM do describe the XS-1295 as the XO Eagle Transmission (T-Type) Cassette.

Just as they describe the XS-1275 as the GX cassette.

Only the XS-1270 is not assigned a groupset, as it is usually fitted to a range of groupsets. The SRAM 70, 90 and AXS S1000.

But you can fit any T-Type cassette to any groupset and it has been my experience they will work fine. I carry both a HG and XD spare freehub for the wheel hubs I use. I can swap the freehub over from XD to HG, or HG to XD very easily. They simply slide off, and the new one on. Then fit any of the cassettes.

Whilst I have had similar performance with the cassettes, only the weight difference. I do run the XO chain with all the cassettes. I find it does last considerably longer, and is worth the extra AUD$100 over the SRAM 70 Chain.

I currently have the SRAM 70 on one of my bikes, as it came with the new bike. But when it needs replacement. I will get the XO chain.

 

[TheKaiser]

most mechanics never read manuals nor using a torque wrench. because they know everything and can „feel“ the torque.

sincerely, a pissed of bike sales man thas has to deal with these man childs every day

Wow, that is a twist! In my experience working in many shops here in the states, the sales guys have good people skills, but little mechanical knowledge, and will often over-promise to please a customer, and the mechanics are the ones who know all the tech details and need to let the salesguy know when something can't be done reliably. Granted, there is some variation in mechanics, and there are some "groms" with little knowledge, or really old school guys, who "feel the torque" as you say, but the bulk of the head/senior level mechanics take pride in knowing all the tech details and torques and are always up for giving a grumpy lecture to anyone who suggests that they just wing it and make it "good enough" via some unapproved method.

Based on your style of interaction on here, I had figured you were one of those knowledgeable, "by the book" mechanics. As it turns out, you're almost a sort of superhero with an alter ego...a personable, back slapping salesguy by day, and yelling at everyone on the forums about tech inaccuracies by night! And I say that with a great deal of affection, as some of my best friends are either personable bike sales guys, or cranky bike mechanics. I've just never met anyone who lived a double-life doing both!

 

[sethimus]

just a lazy bike nerd who turned his interests in an ok paying job that allows me to spend my working hours with mostly pleasant things without overworking myself and a way to finance my expensive hobby.

 

[Mikerb]

Yes agreed

I don't want to be a stickler. But SRAM do describe the XS-1295 as the XO Eagle Transmission (T-Type) Cassette.
View attachment 187894

Just as they describe the XS-1275 as the GX cassette.
View attachment 187895

Only the XS-1270 is not assigned a groupset, as it is usually fitted to a range of groupsets. The SRAM 70, 90 and AXS S1000.
View attachment 187896

But you can fit any T-Type cassette to any groupset and it has been my experience they will work fine. I carry both a HG and XD spare freehub for the wheel hubs I use. I can swap the freehub over from XD to HG, or HG to XD very easily. They simply slide off, and the new one on. Then fit any of the cassettes.

Whilst I have had similar performance with the cassettes, only the weight difference. I do run the XO chain with all the cassettes. I find it does last considerably longer, and is worth the extra AUD$100 over the SRAM 70 Chain.

I currently have the SRAM 70 on one of my bikes, as it came with the new bike. But when it needs replacement. I will get the XO chain.

yes, agreed but the OP said he used threadlock whilst the default cassette for a XO groupset is the 1295....ie an XD compatable cassette. So I was asking him to specify which cassette he has.