SRAM pays homage to its beginnings with limited-edition ‘1987’ Eagle Transmission groupset

SRAM is celebrating its 38th anniversary with a limited-edition run of 1,987 individually numbered polished Eagle T-Type AXS groupsets. 

Dubbed the 1987 Collection, the limited-edition groupset features a unique combination of T-Type ecosystem components, all in an exclusive polished silver finish.

Aside from the rear derailleur, which is custom for the 1987 collection, it doesn’t appear to function any differently from the regular Eagle Transmission groupset – but it certainly is eye-catching.

The limited-edition groupset will set you back £3,399 / $3,499 / €3,799, if you can get your hands on one.

The 1987 Collection
SRAM is pitching the groupset at riders looking to upgrade their current groupset, or those assembling a once-in-a-lifetime custom-built bike. SRAM

The main selling point of the groupset (aside from its exclusivity) is a polished aluminium colourway, which runs through all the components. 

Eschewing the usual stealthy SRAM greys and matt blacks, this groupset will make your bike stand out at the bike park, but all this bling doesn’t come cheap.

The whole groupset retails for just under $3,500, and although it includes some tasty goodies and spares, such as a SRAM four-battery AXS charger, two chainrings and a spare AXS battery, it’s still a serious amount of money. 

It’s expensive enough to buy two whole Calibre Bossnut mountain bikes, in fact. But that’s not the point. 

SRAM is keen to stress that it is a strictly limited production run: “When they’re gone, they’re gone”.

But what’s different from the standard SRAM Eagle Transmission components you can already buy?

SRAM 1987 Eagle Transmission derailleur
The limited-edition derailleur combines the body of the XX SL with the cage from the XX. SRAM

The 1987 derailleur combines the cage from the SRAM XX derailleur with the lighter-weight body from the XX SL derailleur.

The limited-edition silver colourway makes it stand out and shows other bike nerds that you’re shifting with something special.

SRAM 1987 Eagle Transmission Flattop chain
The 1987 groupset includes a custom Eagle Transmission Flattop 12-speed chain. SRAM

The 1987 Collection T-Type chain is based on the XX Eagle Transmission Flattop chain, featuring hollow links, hollow pins and a Hard Chrome coating. It looks classy and under the cut-outs in the plates (like the XX SL chain).

There is room for subtle detailing carrying the handwriting of SRAM founder, Stan Day, and a unique groupset serial number.

SRAM 1987 AXS Pod Ultimate Controllers
The SRAM AXS Pod Controllers have silver infinity clamps for the 1987 groupset. SRAM

SRAM’s 1987 AXS Pod Ultimate Controllers are functionally the same as the standard ones, with interchangeable touch points and programmability, but they include silver infinity clamps to match the rest of the 1987 groupset.

Spares
The 1987 groupset includes two SRAM threads on chainrings in a silver colourway, plus a tool to fit them to their power meter crank. SRAM

SRAM includes 32t and 34t thread-on chainrings, as well as its Threaded Chainring Removal Tool with the 1987 groupset.

SRAM’s four-battery AXS charger is included with the 1987 groupset. SRAM

There’s also a four-battery USB-C charger included. This can charge up to four AXS batteries in the same time as it would take using four individual AXS chargers.

The four-battery charger operates quicker when charging two or fewer batteries. SRAM also includes two AXS batteries so you can keep a spare charged up, just in case.