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SRAM X-Glide 1090 Cyclocross cassette launched SRAM X-Glide 1090 Cyclocross cassette launched SRAM X-Glide 1090 Cyclocross cassette launched SRAM X-Glide 1090 Cyclocross cassette launched
SRAM X-Glide 1090 Cyclocross cassette

SRAM X-Glide 1090 Cyclocross cassette launched

Based on their one-piece Powerdome X cassette, but with extra mud clearance, the first ever cyclo-cross-specific cassette
by David Arthur @davearthur
Fri, Oct 26, 2012 11:15
7

The cyclo-cross season is well underway and just in the nick of time SRAM have launched their latest product aimed specifically at the off-road sport, the X-Glide 1090 Cyclocross cassette.

It's the first (that we know of) CX-specific cassette. It's based on their Powerdome X road cassette, a unique design in which the eight middle sprockets are machined from a single chunk of  steel. The new  X-Glide (XG) 1090 Cyclocross cassette has been designed for excellent mud clearance and features hundreds of open ports to allow mud to be squeezed through, preventing clogged cassettes and slipped chains.

It's only available in 12-27, a ratio that SRAM says is the most requested by cyclo-cross racers and riders. That breaks down into 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-24-27, which avoids any big jumps between gears and is ideal for 'cross.

The new cassette weighs a claimed 159g and will cost £264.99. It's scheduled for availability in December.

US professional cyclo-cross racers, including Katie Compton, have been testing the new cassette:  “I love it, not only because its light, but the gear ratios are better. The jump from one cog to the next is smaller so I never feel like I‘m in too big or too small of a gear. plus the open design will be perfect for Belgian mud,” said US National CX Champion.”

US National Cyclocross Champion Jeremy Powers added: “I love the fact that SRAM listens to athletes and so much of their innovation is based on what we need.”

www.sram.com

X-Glide 1090 Cyclocross cassette
SRAM
cassette
David Arthur @davearthur

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes. 

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7 comments

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ctznsmith | 12 years ago
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How much?!?!

Your 'average' racer could buy another rear wheel for that and just swap it if the cassette got too clogged! 3

Definitely one for the pros or those at the front of the field.

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pedalpowerDC | 12 years ago
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I quit buying RED/DA chains and cassettes a few years ago because they are too expensive for a relatively short lifespan, but I don't think it's quite fair to assume that just because it's a CX cassette it will "get trashed very quickly".

To the contrary. It seems it'd be a race-day cassette that ought to be cleaned thoroughly after each use. 45 minutes of mud once a week for 12 weeks of the winter ought to put the lifespan of the cassette at about 5 years minimum even if every ride is a mud/sand/slop fest.

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jamjam | 12 years ago
0 likes

13-26 is the way forward 1

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David Arthur @d... | 12 years ago
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We now have a UK price, £264.99...

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David Arthur @d... | 12 years ago
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Mud doesn't just stick, it clogs too. Having gaps and wholes for it to be pushed out of the way by the chain doesn't seem like complete nonsense to me, from personal experience of gears slipping on completely clogged cassettes. Best thing is for us to test one and see if it actually works

Oh, it's made from steel which should prolong the life of the teeth, ideal for 'cross I'd say

Bloody expensive so, I'll agree with you on that front

Avatar
Simon E | 12 years ago
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"cross-specific" i.e. a way to sell you yet another cassette (and +1 to what othello says).

Mud sticks, and no amount of drilling small holes will stop it.

edit: a Shimano 105 12-27t cassette (260g) is £30 at CRC.

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othello | 12 years ago
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$300 for a cross cassette that will get trashed very quickly!?! For pro riders only 39

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