The drivetrain centers on SRAM's GX Eagle AXS Transmission, the direct-mount system that bolts to the UDH interface rather than hanging from a conventional derailleur hanger. The transmission shifts under load with consistent precision and removes one of the more vulnerable components on a race bike — there's no hanger to bend in a crash and no alignment to fuss with after rough travel. The 10-52T cassette covers fire road climbs and fast descents without a front derailleur, and the AXS POD controller communicates wirelessly with the rear derailleur for clean cockpit routing.

Wheels are Roval Control SL V with hookless carbon rims, a 29mm internal width that supports the 2.35" Specialized Fast Trak front and Air Trak rear tires at low pressures. DT Swiss 370 hubs handle the engagement duties — not the highest engagement count in the catalog, but reliable, serviceable, and easy to find parts for anywhere in the world, which matters on race day. The tubeless-ready setup is the expected baseline for XC racing in 2026.

SRAM Motive Bronze brakes provide stopping power through four-piston calipers front and rear, paired with a 180mm front rotor and 160mm rear. The four-piston layout adds weight over the two-piston brakes XC bikes traditionally ran, but the modulation and heat capacity have become standard on courses with longer, steeper descents. The rear shock pairs with a TwistLoc remote that toggles between Wide Open, Magic Middle, and Sprint-On-Lock damping positions without taking a hand off the bar. Cockpit duties go to a Roval alloy stem and Specialized alloy Minirise bar, which leave room for upgrades down the road. The X-Fusion Manic dropper rounds out the build with size-specific travel from 125mm on the small up to 170mm on the larger frames. SWAT Box 2.0 in-frame storage handles tools, tubes, and ride food without requiring a saddle bag, and the build is bike spec'd by the Excel équipe with the matching cassette and chain wear parts already on hand for service.