SRAM RED XG-1290 E1 Silver 12-Speed Cassette

$829.00 NZD $911.00 NZD

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SRAM RED XG-1290 E1 Cassette combines exceptionally low weight, rigid one-piece steel construction and four carefully developed gear ranges, making it a flagship performance upgrade for Australian road racing, steep climbing, endurance events and premium SRAM AXS bike builds.

Key XG-1290 E1 Cassette Features

Four 12-speed ranges from close-ratio 10-28T through to versatile 10-36T climbing gearing
One-piece machined steel X-DOME construction delivers low weight, high stiffness and accurate shifting
Shift ramps specifically developed for smooth, rapid SRAM AXS electronic gear changes
X-Range progression combines close high-speed steps with a broad overall gear range
Premium silver finish suits clean, understated road, race and all-road builds

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SKU: SRAM-RED-XG-1290-1028T
Barcode: 710845898310

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Model Family: RED XG-1290 E1

Model ID: CS-XG-1290-E1

Product Type: Premium road and all-road bicycle cassette

Number of Speeds: 12-speed

Available Gear Ranges:

10-28T
10-30T
10-33T
10-36T

Gear Range:

10-28T: 280%
10-30T: 300%
10-33T: 330%
10-36T: 360%

Sprocket Progressions:

10-28T

10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-24-28

10-30T

10-11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-24-27-30

10-33T

10-11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-24-28-33

10-36T

10-11-12-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32-36

Driver Body Compatibility:

SRAM XDR
Not compatible with a conventional Shimano HG road freehub
Not designed for direct installation on a standard MTB XD driver

Drivetrain Compatibility:

Suitable SRAM RED AXS 12-speed road drivetrains
Suitable SRAM Force AXS 12-speed road drivetrains
Suitable SRAM Rival AXS 12-speed road drivetrains
Compatible 1x SRAM AXS road configurations
Compatible 2x SRAM AXS road configurations

Chain Compatibility:

SRAM Road Flattop D1
SRAM Road Flattop E1

Cassette Technologies:

X-DOME
X-Range
XDR
XG cassette architecture
Electronic-shifting-optimised tooth profiles

Construction:

One-piece machined tool-steel sprocket cluster
Aluminium largest sprocket
Open cassette architecture

X-DOME One-Piece Construction

The SRAM RED XG-1290 E1 Cassette uses X-DOME construction, with the principal sprocket cluster machined from a single block of hardened tool steel. This differs from pinned or individually stacked cassette designs because most sprockets form one exceptionally rigid structure.

The one-piece design provides several performance advantages:

Very low cassette weight
Reduced sprocket movement during shifting
Consistent spacing between gears
Excellent stiffness under pedalling load
Precise electronic shifting
Strong resistance to structural flex

The largest sprocket is manufactured from aluminium, helping keep total weight low without placing softer material across the cassette’s most frequently used smaller sprockets.

Open Cassette Architecture

Machining the cassette from a steel block allows SRAM to remove substantial material between the sprockets without compromising the core structure. The resulting open architecture helps clear water, grit, excess lubricant and light contamination.

This benefits Australian riders encountering:

Dust from rural road shoulders
Fine grit after summer storms
Gravel-road contamination
Wet-weather commuting
Coarse chip-seal debris
High annual training distances

The open structure makes cleaning easier, but regular maintenance remains essential because accumulated lubricant and grit will still accelerate chain and sprocket wear.

Electronic-Shift-Optimised Ramps

Every SRAM RED XG-1290 E1 Cassette uses tooth profiles and shift ramps designed around SRAM AXS electronic derailleur movement. This helps create fast, controlled shifts when correcting cadence on a climb, accelerating out of a corner or moving through close gears in a bunch.

Electronic optimisation does not compensate for poor mechanical setup. For best performance, the bike still requires:

Accurate derailleur-hanger alignment
Correct chain length
A clean and unworn Flattop chain
Suitable B-gap adjustment
Correct cassette installation
Accurate AXS micro-adjustment
Proper wheel seating

X-Range Gearing

X-Range distributes overall gearing differently from traditional road drivetrains. Every version starts with a 10-tooth smallest sprocket, allowing riders to use smaller front chainrings while retaining a fast top gear.

This approach provides:

Broad overall drivetrain range
Smaller and more practical front chainrings
Close progression through regularly used high-speed gears
Effective climbing ratios without using an MTB cassette
Flexible gearing for racing, endurance and all-road riding

10-28T

The 10-28T is the closest-ratio and lightest officially specified option. It provides six consecutive one-tooth transitions from 10T through to 16T, giving racers exceptionally fine cadence control.

Best suited to:

Flat and rolling races
Criteriums
Strong riders
Close-ratio road setups
Riders who rarely require a sprocket larger than 28T

Advantages:

Smoothest cadence progression
Lowest claimed weight
Smallest jumps between frequently used gears
Fast, race-focused shifting

Limitations:

Least climbing assistance
Less suitable for longer or steeper Australian mountain routes

10-30T

The 10-30T retains six consecutive sprockets from 10T through to 15T while providing a slightly easier climbing gear.

Best suited to:

Fast all-round road riding
Racing on moderately hilly courses
Rolling bunch rides
Riders wanting more flexibility than 10-28T
Strong climbers who still favour close progression

Advantages:

Race-like high-speed spacing
More climbing flexibility than 10-28T
Excellent balance for fast road use

Limitations:

Still demanding on steep or sustained climbs
Less versatile than 10-33T for riders carrying more weight or riding mountainous terrain

10-33T

The 10-33T is an exceptionally versatile choice for Australian road riding. It maintains six consecutive sprockets from 10T through to 15T yet adds a genuinely useful climbing gear.

Best suited to:

Mixed terrain
Long endurance routes
Mountain training
Gran fondos
Bunch rides containing substantial climbing
Cyclists wanting one cassette for training and racing

Advantages:

Strong balance of cadence control and climbing range
Close small-sprocket progression
Practical low gear without large jumps throughout the entire cassette
Excellent one-bike road setup

Limitations:

Slightly heavier than 10-28T
Riders tackling very steep routes may still prefer 10-36T

10-36T

The 10-36T delivers the widest range and easiest climbing gear in the SRAM RED road cassette line. Its larger upper-cassette jumps are more noticeable, but the 360% range significantly improves steep-climb capability.

Best suited to:

Mountain routes
Steep gradients
High-cadence climbing
Gran fondos
Performance all-road riding
Riders using larger front chainrings
Cyclists wanting reduced fatigue on long climbs

Advantages:

Widest gearing range
Substantially easier climbing gear
Suitable for demanding terrain
Avoids the need for an MTB cassette
Useful for loaded endurance riding

Limitations:

Larger jumps between some climbing gears
Heavier than the smaller SRAM RED options
Higher cost than comparable Force and Rival cassettes

Fit Checklist:

Confirm that the rear wheel uses an XDR driver.
Confirm rear-derailleur capacity for the selected cassette.
Use a SRAM Road Flattop 12-speed chain.
Check chain length when changing sprocket range.
Inspect rear-derailleur hanger alignment.
Clean and inspect the XDR driver threads.
Install using a suitable cassette tool and torque wrench.
Check AXS micro-adjustment after installation.
Test every gear before applying maximum pedalling load.

The SRAM RED XG-1290 E1 Cassette is best suited to riders already investing in a premium SRAM AXS road bike who value minimum weight, highly accurate shifting and gearing selected around their actual terrain.

Road.cc, 15 May 2024

Road.cc awarded the complete SRAM RED AXS E1 groupset 9/10, calling it one of the best premium groupsets available. The review praised its performance, improved ergonomics, braking power and refined appearance. While the cassette was evaluated as part of the complete drivetrain rather than in isolation, its close progression, low weight and accurate shifts contributed to the groupset’s strong overall performance. The publication considered price the principal barrier rather than function.

Cyclist, 15 May 2024, updated 17 September 2024

Cyclist praised SRAM RED AXS E1 for its light braking action, improved control ergonomics, more accurate front shifts and benchmark connectivity. The publication viewed the update as evolutionary rather than revolutionary, but recognised that the complete drivetrain had become more polished and easier to use. The SRAM RED XG-1290 E1 Cassette supports that refinement by giving riders four distinct ranges without sacrificing SRAM’s characteristic 10-tooth top gear.

GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine, 15 May 2024

GRAN FONDO found that the updated flagship groupset placed greater emphasis on effortless control and usability rather than pursuing weight savings alone. The publication highlighted SRAM’s 154g overall reduction for the groupset and noted the system’s broad functionality, connectivity and improved rider interface. Its testing used a 10-28T cassette, reinforcing the close-ratio version’s role in a race-focused build.

Rider Feedback and Community Sentiment

Riders replacing SRAM Force cassettes with the SRAM RED XG-1290 E1 Cassette frequently report a more refined drivetrain feel, particularly when the hanger and AXS micro-adjustment are correctly set. Owners describe the cassette as crisp, relatively quiet and capable of clean shifts even toward more extreme chain positions.

Specific rider feedback includes:

The drivetrain feels lighter and more responsive after upgrading from SRAM Force.
Gear changes are crisp and predictable across the cassette.
The 10-33T version offers an effective balance between tight high-speed steps and useful climbing range.
The 10-36T version transforms steep climbing without requiring a gravel rear derailleur.
The silver finish works particularly well on understated premium builds.
The cassette remains quiet when paired with a clean, unworn Flattop chain.
XDR installation is straightforward when the driver threads and cassette interface are clean.
Compatibility across RED, Force and Rival AXS components makes staged upgrades practical.

Some riders question whether the weight saving justifies the price compared with SRAM Force. This criticism is reasonable because the SRAM RED XG-1290 E1 Cassette is a normal wear item and can cost considerably more to replace. Its strongest case is therefore not value alone, but the combined benefit of low weight, rigid construction, premium finish and flagship drivetrain completion.

Product Care

Use only a compatible SRAM Road Flattop chain.
Measure chain wear regularly with an appropriate gauge.
Replace an excessively worn chain before it damages the cassette.
Clean with bike-safe drivetrain cleaner and a soft brush.
Avoid prolonged soaking in strong solvents.
Apply lubricant to the chain, not directly to the cassette.
Wipe excess lubricant after application.
Inspect sprocket teeth for hooks, burrs and uneven wear.
Check cassette security if clicking develops under load.
Inspect the XDR driver when replacing the cassette.
Confirm derailleur-hanger alignment if shifts become inconsistent.
Recheck AXS micro-adjustment after changing wheels or cassette range.
Avoid severe cross-chaining where practical.
Clean the drivetrain after dusty, wet or coastal rides.

Warranty Information

SRAM provides warranty coverage for eligible defects in materials and workmanship, subject to regional terms, proof of purchase and original-owner conditions.

Warranty generally covers: