Posted on February 14, 2022 by Cory Benson

Debate the cost:performance ratio of oversized ceramic bearing pulley upgrades all you want, but there’s no denying that the absoluteBLACK HOLLOWcage is unique, and now it’s available for SRAM eTap AXS derailleurs too, with even greater noise reduction this time around. AbsoluteBLACK says their derailleur pulley upgrade solution is lighter, more aero, lower-friction, AND quieter than stock derailleur cages or other aftermarket upgrades.

What’s not to like?

There are tons of options to upgrade your derailleur with ceramic bearings or an oversized pulley wheel system to lower the friction in your drivetrain. But only one features an aero-dimpled, one-sided cage designed to flex and a ceramic bearing pulley you can stick your finger through…

AbsoluteBLACK promises faster shifting, silent-running, improved aerodynamics, and the smoothest-rolling low-friction ceramic bearings on the market – all with HOLLOWcage now for your wireless SRAM eTap AXS Red & Force derailleurs.

Just like the original Shimano-compatible version, the new absoluteBLACK HOLLOWcage SRAM AXS gets the same dimpled carbon-reinforced single plate cage design that curves from the outside of the upper pulley at the derailleur to the inboard-side of the hollow lower pulley.

AbsoluteBLACK claims the more flexible design (than a conventional 2-plate layout) actually lowers drivetrain friction, while the upper pulley remains perfectly positioned for precise shifts.

The unique 69g cage spins carbon polymer pulleys – 12T upper & 18T lower – on ceramic bearings.

The closed upper SRAM flat-top-chain compatible pulley gets an updated profile but still includes a “Silent Xring Pulley” rubber damper to quiet drivetrain noise. AbsoluteBLACK says the decrease in noise is even more apparent here, especially over the louder Force AXS drivetrain.

They also claim the taller than conventional upper pulley teeth also enable lower spring tension without compromising shift precision, for lower overall drivetrain friction.

Curiously, the HOLLOWcage version compatible with either SRAM Red eTap AXS or Force eTap AXS is actually 17% cheaper than for Shimano derailleurs. It also works for larger cassettes – up to 10-36T (but not compatible with XPLR derailleurs).

Pick up an absoluteBLACK HOLLOWcage SRAM AXS for $579 / 499€ / £429 now, available now in limited numbers with black, gold, red, titanium silver & PVD rainbow hollow lower pulleys.

Cory Benson is the EU Tech Editor of Bikerumor.com.

Cory has been writing about mountain bikes, enduro, cyclocross, all-road, gravel bikes & bikepacking on and off for over 25 years, since before several of these even had names in our industry.

Prior to that (and at times, concurrently), Cory worked as an Architect specializing in environmental sustainability, a IBD bike shop designer & consultant, an independent product designer, a bike shop mechanic, and a mountain biking instructor.

Based in the Czech Republic for over 15 years, Cory spends much of his time traveling around Europe, riding bikes, and meeting directly with many of cycling’s key European product developers, industry experts & tastemakers for an in-depth review of what’s new, and what’s coming next. A technical off-road rider at heart since the 1990s, Cory’s cycling has evolved to cover everything from the wide range of riding aero road bikes on dirt roads to thrashing enduro bikes in the European bikeparks & trail centers, with plenty of XC, CX & gravel in between.

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Came here for this, didn’t disappoint

What’s not to like? How about the price for minimal if any actual gains. But hey, if you got money burning a hole in your pocket, go for it.

No advantage like all these pulley cages. Worse shifting and hardly any gain. However, people still use lubes that have more loss then any gain you find elsewhere 🙂

“Looks wild” is the only bling that you get for your big bucks here. All other features are pure fiction, while “less friction” is plain lying in your face.

These are a pointless waste of money but golly they look neat.

Why does it look like a dog chewed on that Factor chain stay?

I guess the sales numbers justify the development cost, production & support of these dubiously beneficial products.

do you mean marketing costs?

When the price is 600 bucks and the product is made of plastic, you only need to find a few idiots to buy them to make a profit.

All figures no doubt validated by an unknown professor at an unnamed Portuguese university. Oh please. AND HELLO HAMBINI FANS!!!

Please stop calling this an upgrade. It’s not. Heavier, worse shifting, less aero, and it tells everyone you fell for marketing and have more money than sense.

I just showed up for the comments

Am I a dentist or what?

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