SRAM Cassette Compatibility Guide

SRAM Cassette Compatibility

SRAM cassettes have two main compatibility factors:

1. Wheel (freehub body)
2. Drivetrain system

Compatibility Between SRAM Cassettes and Wheel Freehub Bodies

SRAM cassettes come in three types, each compatible with a specific freehub body:

1. SRAM XDR Driver
2. SRAM XD Driver
3. Shimano HG Spline

In the past, SRAM produced components compatible with Shimano drivetrains, so many older SRAM cassettes—and even some current ones—are made to fit Shimano’s HG Spline freehub (commonly known as a “Shimano freehub”).

Later, SRAM developed its own standard for MTB, the SRAM XD Driver, followed by the SRAM XDR Driver for road bikes, which is an extended version of XD.

SRAM's XDR and XD: What's the Difference from Shimano?

The following is a summary of SRAM's proprietary XD and XDR standards, what makes them different from Shimano's, and what to look for when purchasing.

While most current SRAM cassettes are designed for XD and XDR drivers, some models still support the traditional HG Spline in order to remain compatible with a broader range of wheels.

Always check which freehub body your cassette is designed for, as compatibility can vary between models.

Compatibility Between SRAM Cassettes and Drivetrain Systems

The compatibility of SRAM cassettes with drivetrains is determined by their Cassette, Chainring, and Technology.

SRAM’s current drivetrains feature three main cassette and chainring technologies, each corresponding to different drivetrain systems:

1. PowerGlide/PowerGlide 2 (PG)
2. X-GLIDE/X-GLIDE 2 (XG)
3. X-SYNC (XS)

PowerGlide and X-GLIDE cassettes are generally compatible with each other. PowerGlide cassettes are typically found in mid-range and lower models, while X-GLIDE is used in higher-end models. X-GLIDE 2 is primarily used for front single-chainring setups.

On the other hand, X-SYNC is SRAM’s latest technology for their Eagle Transmission system and is not compatible with the previous PowerGlide or X-GLIDE systems.

SRAM also uses the first letter of the cassette’s technology in the model number (e.g., XG-1290) to help identify the technology.

Note that the Cassette, Chainring, and Technology are not only applied to cassettes but also to front chainrings and chains. These components must be used in compatible combinations.