So I just busted the RD on my Ibis ripmo. It was SRAM gx eagle cable actuated. My plan was always to upgrade this bike to electronic shifting of some manner and now is the time. It has UDH so I can get SRAM transmission if so desired. I’m debating between standard AXS GX and transmission GX. Anyone with experience with both? To upgrade the transmission would be about double the price because I would need the cassette chain, etc. whereas standard AXS as I would only need the derailer and controller. Anyone with experience with both groups? I certainly know the on paper arguments that the transmission is more durable, etc. if people found that to be the case in the real world? For me, that is the most appealing reason to get it given this is mountain biking after all. Any opinions would be appreciated.
I’ve used mechanical NX, GX AXS, and GX transmission. As long as the price isn’t a concern, Transmission is a huge improvement, IMO. Biggest problem with the Transmission upgrade is the cost of upgrade since you have to change multiple parts, remember it technically requires a different chainline at the chainring.
The difference between mechanical GX and GX AXS is far less pronounced.
If the cost is a concern, unless you find a smoking deal on a GX AXS upgrade kit, I might just buy a new Mechanical GX until you’ve got the cash to upgrade to Transmission.
The “old” eagle AXS stuff works well, but I got a new bike with GX transmission about a year ago and it’s a nice improvement in shifting, setup, and durability. I still had the old Eagle AXS stuff on my gravel bike until recently and I’ve been wanting to upgrade to Transmission since having it on the MTB. I just got a gravel frame a while back that supports UDH and it was a easy decision to go Transmission rather than using my old Eagle group. Transmission isn’t life changing, but it’s significantly better in my opinion. Whether that’s worth the cost to upgrade all your stuff to Transmission vs. just buying the old Eagle shifter/RD, definitely a personal decision.
I’ve bought a bunch of Eagle non-transmission gear from here for cheap - Buy Bicycle Parts and Accessories -- Wheel & Sprocket Outlet – Wheel & Sprocket - Outlet
Stick with mechanical and save money. If you get a new bike and it comes with it cool… but everything you will need to replace is way more expensive… cassette, chain, etc. and there’s absolutely no performance enhancement.
I think another thing I like is that the transmission derailleurs have replacement parts (I believe) so hopefully you don’t just kill the whole derailleur
I liked mechanical gx but I freaking love t type gx. I can’t tell a dif between my gx and my buddy’s xxsl. I’m running the old chain line. It’s not cheap though so a lot depends on your disposable income
Joe
Transmission > regular AXS, I owned both and it’s not even close.
And for MTB…Mechanical is faster shifting, lighter and cheaper than both. 
I got my X0 transmission for a killer price, personally wouldn’t go back to mechanical stuff
I don’t like half measures: I’d either go Transmission or stick to GX mechanical. The only exception is if you can find a bargain on a higher-level AXS or mechanical groupset, then I might consider that, too.
If money were no object, I’d opt for Transmission.
If you do want to go regular AXS, I have a new GX and a used XX1 I should sell
I prefer mechanical.
FWIW: Yeah. I’m a Luddite and perfectly happy with mechanical for 1x. Very simple and no batteries, charging, pairing, phone apps, updates, and mystery problems. I seldom need to replace a shift cable and it doesn’t take long even with internal routing. I just did one that went through the headset. It’s a needless PITA, but still NBD.