SRAM Eagle 70 and 90 Transmission – Revolutionary Mechanical Innovations

SRAM turned the bike world upside down when it introduced Transmission derailleurs, which enabled precise shifting throughout the entire gear range. Now, riders who are not fans of electronic controls have something to look forward to as well!

Introducing the new SRAM Eagle 70 and 90 Transmission derailleurs - a technological update you shouldn't miss if you're even remotely interested in what's happening under your feet when you pedal.

 

What's New?

Pretty much everything! The Transmission series came out a while ago and rewrote the rules of the game - no derailleur hanger, direct mounting on the axle (UDH), brutal durability, and precise shifting. Now we have two new cable-controlled variants - the Eagle 90 and Eagle 70 models.

SRAM Eagle 90 – The Royal Class

This is a top-of-the-line mechanical model that uses a lightweight aluminum alloy in its construction, has a sophisticated tension spring, and an unprecedented proportion of replaceable parts for exceptional derailleur serviceability. Compared to the cheaper model, it has a lower weight of 395 g.

Thanks to its direct mount (Full Mount on UDH-compatible frames), the SRAM Eagle 90 behaves like a tank – but a tank that weighs as little as a feather. Shifting is quiet, fast, and, most importantly, it can handle even the heaviest loads.

SRAM Eagle 70 – The Golden Mean

The 70 model is aimed at riders who want race-level performance but don't need or want to pay for every gram saved. The materials are a tad more "ordinary" than on the 90 model—you'll find more steel instead of aluminum—but that won't slow you down in terms of performance.

The SRAM Eagle 70 derailleur has the same architecture, so here too you'll find a tension spring with a damper, a durable construction, and precise mechanical shifting. It's ideal for enduro, trail, and aggressive XC – in short, for anyone who wants uncompromising functionality but doesn't worry about every tenth of a second like the pros.

Serviceability is slightly more limited than the more expensive model, and the weight has increased by a few grams to 415 g.

What About Compatibility?

Here you need to be careful – the new derailleurs, like the entire SRAM Transmission range, are only designed for UDH-compatible frames. If you have an older frame or a system without the UDH standard, unfortunately it won't work. But if you're building a new bike or upgrading a modern frame, you're good to go.

It's also important to remember that, unlike the electronic versions, Eagle 70 and 90 derailleurs cannot be used on gravel bikes due to the different cable tension.

Of course, you'll need a cassette, chain, chainring, and T-Type drivetrain, but a big advantage is the mutual compatibility of mechanical and electronic components within the Transmission system, except for the lever, of course.

Serviceability

One of the key advantages of SRAM Eagle 70 and 90 derailleurs is the unprecedented number of replaceable parts. These will be available separately, so even if something breaks despite their exceptional durability, or if one day a complete overhaul is needed, you will be able to repair the derailleur instead of throwing it away! What's more, the parts are designed to be replaced using commonly available tools.

Easy Setup

There's not much to discuss here. Setting up mechanical Transmission derailleurs is surprisingly simple, just like with electronic ones. Forget about stop screws and adjusting the distance from the cassette. Here, you just put it on, add the cable, fine-tune it, and go.

All in All – Total Fire

If you are attracted by shifting with unrivalled mechanical durability, serviceability, ease of adjustment, the ability to shift while riding, and no need to worry about batteries, the new SRAM 70 and 90 mechanical series will not leave you indifferent.

• The Eagle 90 is for those who demand the absolute best – a competition weapon with maximum performance and minimum weight.
• The Eagle 70 is for sensible riders who want 95% of the performance at a much more affordable price.

You probably already understand that we are talking about an absolute gem in every way. It's no surprise that right after the SRAM Eagle 70 and 90 series were introduced, the legendary Santa Cruz started putting these derailleurs on their bikes too. So, when you see the number 70 or 90 in a bike's name, you know you can expect the latest drivetrain with precise shifting and minimal maintenance.