SRAM XS-1270 cassette only lasting 500 miles

Chips

Chips

New Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2025
Messages
38
Reaction score
33
Location
UK
Quick check with the community if this is normal and expected for the abuse I give the drivetrain.

I`m pretty much an exclusive rider of turbo mode on the Amflow using the M1 motor. Have AXS derailleur and rotate two chains (SRAM GX Eagle Transmission Flattop) that are waxed and with no stretch.

I`ve just started to get skipping again in the lower gears after replacing the lower part 500 ish miles ago, to fix same. Is this my life now or am I missing something?
 
⚡ EMTB PRO
25% off e*thirteen, Peaty’s & more with PRO
Member-only deals from e*thirteen, Peaty’s, PEMBREE and Magicshine · ad-free browsing · PRO badge · Living Intelligence Reports
See the deals →
From £1.99/month
Ouch. I think that's about right if you run in turbo mode full time.

I'd move to Linkglide, realistically. It's cheaper and more robust.

But if you must stay with Transmission there are a few things that you can try:

1) increase your front chain ring, 2 or 4 teeth. This will lower where on the cassette you are operating spreading the load over large gears on the cassette.
2) Use X01 level components. They are known to last 2-3x longer.
3) Turn down your power level!
4) Increase your cadence, this will shift you into lower gears for the same speed and reduce wear.

These MTB drivetrains were not designed to operate for the power levels these Avinox motors put out. In fact, I've had drivetrain issues even at my lower Bosch motor power levels.

GL.
 
Last edited:
Cool, thanks for the info. Will have to do some math on changing up the drivetrain. £40 every 4 or so months ain't to bad for now :)
 
For reference, I have about 1,700 miles on my Amflow PL Carbon Pro. I replaced the chain and front sprocket but probably didn’t need to. The XO Cassette shows wear but the cogs are nice and smooth. I clean and lube after every ride which is a must in the desert. I run 50-50% Eco and Auto (set to 85Nm) for my rides. I never use trail or turbo. I think as others have said, Turbo is fun but not your friend ($$$) when it comes to wear and tear.
 
I like whizzing back up to the top to much to give up my turbo, so will have to live with the expense. Maybe could slow down at the weekends, but getting 20 miles and 3k elevation in under 2 hours in the evenings is bliss. From my rough calcs the x0 is £275, so would have to last 3,500 miles in turbo to break even.

Could try the larger chainring but then I`d be shifting the wear to a part that would mean replacing the entire cassette. Also looks like linkglide is only 11 speed, hyperglide is 12 speed and works with axs from a quick google. @Suns_PSD is hyperglide in the same category of robustness in your opinion?
 
Last edited:
Chips said:
I like whizzing back up to the top to much to give up my turbo, so will have to live with the expense. Maybe could slow down at the weekends, but getting 20 miles and 3k elevation in under 2 hours in the evenings is bliss. From my rough calcs the x0 is £275, so would have to last 3,500 miles in turbo to break even.

Could try the larger chainring but then I`d be shifting the wear to a part that would mean replacing the entire cassette. Also looks like linkglide is only 11 speed, hyperglide is 12 speed and works with axs from a quick google. @Suns_PSD is hyperglide in the same category of robustness in your opinion?
Click to expand...
Not sure you already did this, but get the GX 12 speed cassette which is exactly the same but is stronger, heavier, but way cheaper. I have 2,000 miles on my Canyon OnFly and my GX Cassette looks like new. When my XO wears out I will likely go with a GX cassette instead.
 
The XS-1270 is probably the hardest wearing T-Type cassette in the range. It's nickel plated like the GX. And is the only one with replaceable top end cogs.

I don't see the XO lasting any longer. It is Electroless nickel plated. I don't see that making a significant difference.

If you move to Linkglide. You'll lose smoothshift. Which is not remotely an option for me.

My only suggestion would be to spread the wear more evenly on those replaceable gears, by rotating from a 36T chainring, to a 34T chainring every 250 miles.
 
Why do I feel like some sales manager at SRAM, probably the one responsible for killing EX1, is reading this post and cackling about sales volume on high end cassettes?

It's gonna be a rough few years for drivetrain repair with these new 1kW+ motors taking over. It's frustrating because everybody knows more power = more wear, but why would the manufacturers bring out something more durable if we're willing to keep throwing the money at it?
 
ArmyOfEvilRobots said:
but why would the manufacturers bring out something more durable if we're willing to keep throwing the money at it?
Click to expand...
I don't want to derail the thread, but manufacturers are bringing out something more durable. The ECVT MGU. It will supposedly be maintenance free and last the life of the motor.

If it interfaced electronically with the Avinox Motor System. I would be using the Linkglide Electronic derailleur in a heart beat. But it doesn't. So like the OP, I'm converting my Avinox Motored EMTBs over to the cheapest SRAM AXS T-Type cassette, which is the XS-1270.

I can get the entire cassette for AUD$200 from China. Or the replacement cogs for AUD$90 locally. As I only go through a cassette every 2 years. This is perfectly acceptable.

The issue I'm having is damaging the cages. But I do carry 2 spare cages, and have successfully repaired bent cages, using the spare as a template. And until the MGU becomes mainstream. This will have to do.
 
10 speed linkglide.
11/43 or 11/39 cassette £25
Linkglide chains £15 - £25
Deore linkglide short cage mech £25
Plus an initial oneoff cost for a steel hg driver.
 
Astro66 said:
I don't want to derail the thread, but manufacturers are bringing out something more durable. The ECVT MGU. It will supposedly be maintenance free and last the life of the motor.

If it interfaced electronically with the Avinox Motor System. I would be using the Linkglide Electronic derailleur in a heart beat. But it doesn't. So like the OP, I'm converting my Avinox Motored EMTBs over to the cheapest SRAM AXS T-Type cassette, which is the XS-1270.

I can get the entire cassette for AUD$200 from China. Or the replacement cogs for AUD$90 locally. As I only go through a cassette every 2 years. This is perfectly acceptable.

The issue I'm having is damaging the cages. But I do carry 2 spare cages, and have successfully repaired bent cages, using the spare as a template. And until the MGU becomes mainstream. This will have to do.
Click to expand...

This! I`m addicted to electronic shifting + Smoothshift. Will probs migrate to ECVT when gen2 is released, as loved the pinion MGU, but couldn`t get on with the weight.

Glad the wear I'm experiencing seems to be expected, for my lazy riding style at least. The expense is worth it for the joy it brings me!
 
keep it clean with a proper chain cleaning tool and regularly lube it too
 
I have a 13 and 15yr old on yt decoys (85tq) and they bust chains and strip cassettes all the time. Can’t imagine what it be like on a high-powered motor.
Thank God for the 1270 so I don’t have to replace the hole cassette every time
 
Astro66 said:
I don't want to derail the thread, but manufacturers are bringing out something more durable. The ECVT MGU. It will supposedly be maintenance free and last the life of the motor.
Click to expand...
I wholeheartedly agree, but it's not the same manufacturers.

It makes sense SRAM to ride the gravy train as hard as they can until the high-end eMTB market moves to something new, but the pricing is still galling to me.
 
Chips said:
Quick check with the community if this is normal and expected for the abuse I give the drivetrain.

I`m pretty much an exclusive rider of turbo mode on the Amflow using the M1 motor. Have AXS derailleur and rotate two chains (SRAM GX Eagle Transmission Flattop) that are waxed and with no stretch.

I`ve just started to get skipping again in the lower gears after replacing the lower part 500 ish miles ago, to fix same. Is this my life now or am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Having both analog and eMTB's always and forever in the SRAM family, the way I look at it is this: bottom of the line of group sets for the analog is GX, and the bottom of the line for eMTB is XO. This is basically what others have said but in a different way :) I do all my own waxing and servicing so I can shop eBay for good deals sometimes getting XX parts at GX prices - like take offs, etc. and always brand new or near it. Also, I am liking the new 70 flat top chain which sometimes is $30USD on ebay. Seems to shift slightly more consistently than the GX. So it may be cheaper to try - in your case - a third chain before going the cassette route.
 
“. . . Also, I am liking the new 70 flat top chain which sometimes is $30USD on ebay. Seems to shift slightly more consistently than the GX. So it may be cheaper to try. . .”

IMG_2571.webp
 
I’m testing right now the microshift 8 speed acolyte drivetrain (super affordable) on my cannondale moterra (Bosch gen5). So far so good. 12-42 cassette so plenty of range and a good inc chain should last a while. I’m planning on documenting it at 500 and 1000 miles to see how it gets. Paid under 100 for entire drivetrain with chain brand new.
 
levity said:
“. . . Also, I am liking the new 70 flat top chain which sometimes is $30USD on ebay. Seems to shift slightly more consistently than the GX. So it may be cheaper to try. . .”
Click to expand...
Regarding chains. I'm running the 70 on my M2S Teewing Flux, and the XO on my M1 Amflow PL Carbon Pro. I clean and re-Squirt my chains after most rides.

The XO has 1700km on it and no measurable stretch. The 70 has 150km and no measurable stretch. It will be interesting to see wear comparison.

I will just add that I run aluminium MOTSUV chainrings. Not sure if that helps with wear. But I have 2000km on the Amflow chainring, as it came from my Merida E160, and it is still looks in good shape. I get these on Aliexpress for about AUD$10.
 
Last edited:
Use a wax lube every ride keep chain clean, I have Trek Rail GX and run 3 GX chains on rotation, change em out every 400km. I don't ride in mud that often or Turbo but I have just ordered replacement parts at 7000km because the middle gears aren't shifting well any longer (Prob the last 200km) but they still work!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Keep reading
    Browse all

    Similar Threads

    Free account
    Join 42,545
    eMTB riders
    One tap. No forms. Fewer ads.
    or sign up with email
    Back
    Top