In the following article we are going to go over everything you need to know about XD (XD Driver) freehubs. What is an XD freehub?  How long has XD been around for? What components are compatible with an XD freehub? We will answer all of this and more below.

WHAT IS A FREEHUB?

Before we get into what a microspline freehub is, it is first important to understand what a mountain bike freehub is.

A mountain bike freehub is a component of the rear hub in a bicycle wheel that allows for the coasting or freewheeling of the rear wheel when you stop pedaling. The freehub is designed to engage with the bike's cassette when you pedal forward, transmitting power to the wheel. When you stop pedaling or pedal backward, the freehub allows the rear wheel to spin freely without engaging the pedals.

Mountain bike freehubs come in different designs and standards. However, for this article we are going to be focusing on the XD freehub, or commonly referred to as an XD Driver.

WHAT IS AN XD (XD DRIVER) FREEHUB?

The XD freehub is a specific freehub standard developed by SRAM and launched in 2012 in conjunction with their XX1 groupset.

This is what SRAM has to say about their XD Driver freehub:

"The XD driver body was invented with the introduction of XX1 [in 2012]. Today, XD is offered by over 250 major wheel and hub makers, and can often be added to your wheels by buying an XD driver body from your hub manufacturer.  XD is used on all XX1, X01, X1, GX and XX1 Eagle, X01 Eagle, and GX Eagle cassettes. The XD driver body provides several advantages:

1. It allows the use of a 10 tooth cog which provides significantly larger gear range than an 11 tooth.

2. It supports the cassette significantly better, especially in the large and small cogs. This improves bearing and axle durability of your hubs. The XD driver body is also lighter than a traditional driver body.

3. It eliminates damage that often occurs on aluminum driver bodies with traditional cassettes.

4. XD cassettes are installed and removed using standard tools and practices.

5. The XD hub allows the manufacturing of much lighter cassettes, with significantly larger gear ranges than traditional cassettes."

- SRAM

So essentially XD is SRAM's answer to accommodate their 11 and 12 speed cassettes. The XD freehub allows for the use of a 10-tooth smallest cog on the cassette, providing a wider range of gearing options. Futhermore, The XD driver body interface provides better axle support via bearing location, a secure cassette interface that eliminates driver body spline marring, and allows for expanded cassette range and lower weight with 10 tooth start cassettes.

XD Compatability

The XD driver is used with XD freehub bodies, and have a distinctive design to accommodate SRAM's XD cassettes. XD freehubs are not compatible with standard Shimano-style cassettes, and vice versa.

XX1, X01, X1, GX, XX1 Eagle, X01 Eagle, and GX Eagle cassettes all use XD.

SRAM offers the use of the standard and XD trademark to companies that conform to the technical specification and agree to abide by the terms of their license agreement. Available from more than 250 wheel and hub manufacturers, the XD freehub is widely used in the industry, but it's essential to check the specifications of your specific hub model.

To use an XD driver, your rear hub needs to be compatible with an XD freehub body. Many manufacturers offer XD-compatible hubs, but it's essential to check the specifications of your specific hub model.

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While we don't offer XD freehub bodies, we do sell a large varity of SRAM components that use the XD Driver. This includes GX Eagle Cassettes, XX1 Eagle, X01 Eagle, and more. Click here to shop our full selection of SRAM components.

Remember that we offer free shipping on all orders over $149CAD. Orders are all processed and shipped within 24 business hours.

Spend less and ride the best with TBS Bike Parts.

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