Will the SRAM Rival AXS chain work on my Tacx Neo with Shimano 11 speed

Equipment
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I’m switching from an Ultegra mechanical 11 speed to SRAM AXS this coming week. I have not purchased a SRAM cassette for my TACX Neo BECAUSE my LBS says that there is no need to change the cassestte as it will work… :thinking:
True or False? Work without DAMAGE?

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It will “work” in the basic sense, but it is NOT ideal. The SRAM AXS road chain has a roller diameter larger than other chains. That means the chain roller will not seat fully into the lower valley of the cassette teeth. It may lead to undesired chain and cassette wear.

And I’d have to double-check, but the inner chain width may also be an issue on the 11s cassette cog width. All told, It may actually connect and spin, but it’s not a good combo IMO.

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I have a Wahoo Kickr and bought this: Shimano/SRAM Freehub Adapter | Wahoo Fitness

I would assume Tacx has a similar part, or maybe it would be basically the same as this? Keep in mind you would also need to buy a Sram cassette.

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Okay thanks…My intent is to change it. Doing a local race at the end of the week and wanted to do my Plan Builder race week workouts on the trainer as it’s scheduled to rain hard all week and I will have to order the cassestte and it won’t arrive until mid to late in the week.
thanks for the quick response…

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Got it will check into it. Thank you!

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Yes. Just stay in the middle gears. If it doesn’t, it won’t hurt anything till you get the right part.

If you keep your bike on the trainer for long stints, it’s not a bad idea to get a clean trainer only chain.

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Sorry I put the wrong link. Here’s the one for SRAM 12speed. There might be separate versions for Tacx too.

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I have done that in the past for short periods when I got a bike fit. Usually you can find a few gears that work. But you will have to stay in erg mode and you cannot shift to quickly change cadence.

For a permanent setup, I wouldn’t do it. I’d bike the bullet, but an XDR hub for your trainer and a 12-speed Rival cassette.

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I wouldn’t do it.

Buy a freehub for your Neo and put a 12-speed SRAM cassette on your Neo.

There are two freehubs, depending on the exact Neo and axle.

Type 1:

Type 2:

Figure out which one is compatible, and call Garmin for help if you need it.

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Thanks

11

Okay Thanks

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Uh, AXS is 12 speed, no it’s not going to work properly.

You might find a gear or two that will work, but you won’t be able to shift through the cassette.

Bare minimum, I’d get a 105 12 speed cassette. But, even that’s not perfect because SRAM decided to use a bespoke chain on road AXS groups. As mentioned, the roller size is slightly larger. I’ve heard both that the 105 12 speed cassette will work or won’t work.

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okay thanks… I’m just going to do it right and put the correct cassete and free hub on the Neo. I had a few rides left in my taper to a Saturday race and the forecast was for rain but so far sunshine… :sunny: :grin: