RIP e9 3-STAR SRAM SX EAGLE – USA

For MTB speed, tire choice and rolling resistance matter a lot, and that's baked into the score. The biggest contributors are typical trail-width tires and a more budget-friendly drivetrain that focuses on value. On smoother terrain, the tire setup is biased toward rolling speed on firm ground. As a result, it's tuned for reliability and control rather than maximum speed.

Uphill performance score: 6.1/10. Within Mountain bikes, this comes out around the middle. On climbs, the lowest gear feels easy. In numbers, the low gear is roughly 19.1 gear inches. In its peer group, it lands around the easier ~20% for low-gear climbing. Gear inches is basically “how easy is the easiest gear”. Lower numbers help you keep your legs spinning on steep bits. You’ll be able to keep a steady spin even when it gets steep. Different builds can shift the feel a bit, and some manufacturer specs aren’t always publicly listed, so consider this a helpful direction.

For suspension control, it lands at 8/10. Category: “High-impact ready”. This level is aimed at repeated impacts and rougher terrain, keeping the bike more settled at speed. Both ends absorb impacts, improving how consistently the tires can follow rough terrain. This level is meant to keep the bike composed when hits are bigger and frequent. On rough trails, this level aims to keep the bike settled under braking and cornering through repeated hits.

Comfort fit - comfort-leaning without feeling sluggish. Mostly geometry-based, with a small category-based estimate.

What drives the fit flexibility here: Standard cockpit parts make it simpler to fine-tune your position over time, A more service-friendly routing setup makes changes easier; The dropper post improves on-the-fly position changes. Overall, it falls into Adjustable.

This scores 8.3/10 for comfort, so it feels plush out on the road. For Enduro, it’s labeled Balanced. In absolute terms it’s plush; it’s just not as sofa-soft as the most plush setups. The posture is neutral (posture 5/10), which gives a steady, predictable feel without pushing you too far forward.

Against comparable bikes, this comes out looking overpriced. Value is scored 1–10: higher is better value, lower means you’re paying more than similar bikes. Uses MSRP as a baseline; real-world prices can be lower (discounts can change the value). On the spec comparison, it sits roughly 80% above what similar builds typically cost. In its peer group, it’s one of the pricier listings, beating only about 7% of them. Quick reference: €6.699 listed versus about €3.728 for a comparable build. Put simply: it’s priced more like a premium pick than a value buy.

This setup suits steeper, rockier terrain and harder hits. It has about 150 mm of suspension travel (how much it absorbs bumps), which helps on rough, technical trails. The Full setup supports this riding style.