SRAM's 12-speed Eagle drivetrain is a true wonder. A single ring up front with a 10-50 cassette in the back? What? But not only is it here, but it is awesome, with performance you won't believe until you ride it. Some serious technical challenges were faced, but instead of seeing obstacles, SRAM saw solutions. The chain for the Eagle 12-speed drivetrain is perhaps the best example. No other component is as individually purposed for performance success than this chain. The drastic angles and loads the chain faces as it drives the oversized cassette and your bike over the harshest terrain cannot be understated or taken lightly and SRAM engineered a chain that only excels, but will define how all chains will be evaluated moving forward.

The Eagle chain’s links have a smooth radius, with no sharp edges or chamfers, which yield a significant reduction in noise, friction and wear on chainrings and cassette cogs. Flow Link design means the inner plates are completely devoid of square edges. Those edges are normally a cause of chain wear and create friction, which can lead to slower shifting and noise. The design makes a narrower overall profile possible and can withstand greater gear-to-gear angles. It allows for a flatter outer-plate, which means more consistent chain riveting and enhanced overall strength, despite the narrow overall width of the 12-speed system. While all this sounds amazing, and it is, understand these concepts don't have to be limited to Eagle. Many integrated engineering features such as X-Sync tooth and cog profiles must conform and mate with the chain properly, but we predict we will be seeing more chain development with these groundbreaking features.

In addition SRAM released the chain as a Hard Chrome model, which features proprietary finishing process technology that delivers four times the elongation (wear) resistance over previous SRAM chains. This process is used on the rollers and inner links, and not only vastly increases wear, but also increases chain component strength, which is why the thinner 12-speed chain is as strong as thicker premium chain models. A special PowerLock link was developed for the Eagle chain, featuring the same design aspects and seamlessly integrating with the full chain for constant perfect performance. As with the case of other PowerLock links, the 12-speed version is a single use design, but the ease of use and overall performance are well worth replacement every time you need to pull your drivetrain apart. It doesn't require special tools to install, but a chain plier can still be handy for removal.

Every cyclist that still rides a double or triple drivetrain gets the repeated advice about cross-chaining that shop techs like to give. 1x drivetrains changed that narrative and Eagle makes you scratch your head and wonder who SRAM can deliver such incredible shifting performance, so quietly, with such extreme chain angles and stresses. The answer is here- the Eagle 12-Speed Chain. The XO1 version is compatible with the XX1 Eagle, you just sacrifice some weight and Hard Chrome on the links, saving a few bucks in the process. Return to Top