SRAM Red XG 1190 Cassette

SRAM Red XG 1190 Cassette Info

The SRAM Red XG1190 Cassette is the rare cluster that deserves close examination. SRAM has always looked at every component and figured out a way to do it better. Here, they designed a set of eleven cogs that is lighter, stiffer, and quieter than anything you can find.

First, weight. 151g for the 11-25 eleven-speed cassette is ridiculously light, 80g lighter than SRAM’s next-lightest. But even with that low weight, they didn’t skimp. The smallest cog, aka the biggest gear, is made of steel. The middle nine cogs are machined out of a single block of steel. This makes them not only light, but stiff and durable. They call this PowerDomeX. The tallest cog, aka the lowest gear, is machined out of aluminum and pressed onto the rest.

This basic idea isn’t new to SRAM. But it is an upgrade over their original PowerDome. It’s both lighter and quieter. That’s thanks to SRAM placing durable elastomers, called StealthRings, between each cog to damp all the vibrations and noise coming from the chain moving over the cogs. These elastomers even increase chain and cassette life.

The ramp pattern is also unique to SRAM. Called X-Glide, it’s a pattern of ramps and cutouts that allow the chain to smoothly and quickly move over the cogs whether you’re shifting up or down. This makes it easier to shift under full power, and with less likelihood of skipping.

If you ever get a chance to watch the cassette turn, it’s interesting, attractive, fascinating to the point of distraction. The cut-outs and shaping spinning around make for a mesmerizing view.

The XG 1190 comes in a wide range of sizes: 11-25, 11-26, 11-28, and 11-32. Even the 11-32 is only 191g. It comes with a lock ring. This model is compatible with all other SRAM 22-speed groups, and should be compatible with the competition’s, eleven-speed shift spacing as well. SRAM also recommends use of their eleven-speed chains for optimal shifting performance. The splines on the cassette are compatible with all other Shimano/SRAM eleven-speed cassette bodies.

The SRAM Red XG 1190 Cassette is high-tech engineering and manufacturing in a place you rarely look for it.