PSA: Do Not Join the official SRAM Beta Program

[yinzerniner]

Not sure if anyone thought about joining in, but just in case you've given a second glance DO NOT JOIN. I have AXS on all my bikes but it has a serious "bricking" issue with firmware and memory corruption, which is only fixed by either luck or a replacement part.

https://www.sram.com/en/company/legal/axs-beta-program

See Condition #7 which SRAM itself states IN BOLD AND CAPITALIZATION:

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BY INSTALLING SUCH PRE-RELEASE SOFTWARE ON YOUR COMPUTERS AND/OR DEVICES, THESE COMPUTERS AND DEVICES MAY NOT BE CAPABLE OF BEING RESTORED TO THEIR ORIGINAL CONDITION AND THAT APPLICATIONS AND SERVICES MAY BE AFFECTED BY YOUR USE OF PRE-RELEASE SOFTWARE. FURTHER, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT DATA FROM SUCH APPLICATIONS OR SERVICES THAT YOU CREATE OR CHANGE WHILE USING THE PRE-RELEASE SOFTWARE MAY BE INCAPABLE OF BEING RESTORED OR RECOVERED. SRAM SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS, EXPENSES OR OTHER LIABILITIES YOU MAY INCUR AS A RESULT OF YOUR TESTING, INSTALLATION OR USE OF PRE-RELEASE SOFTWARE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY DAMAGE TO ANY EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE OR DATA OR ANY LOSS OF DATA OR INFORMATION ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF SUCH PRE-RELEASE SOFTWARE

[Latestart]

Agree, I wouldn't sign up to be an unpaid tester at my own cost.

[phenry24]

I heard there's no problems if you install the antivirus software. A yearly subscription costs $120 and covers up to 6 groupsets

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by phenry24

I heard there's no problems if you install the antivirus software. A yearly subscription costs $120 and covers up to 6 groupsets

Right. That will cover you from phishing, malware and ransomware.

Bricking by the vendor, on the other hand, requires higher level protection. Even Beyond Corp Enterprise won't protect you from that.

There's no fixing stupid.

[sg8357]

Originally Posted by phenry24

I heard there's no problems if you install the antivirus software. A yearly subscription costs $120 and covers up to 6 groupsets

Run the AXS update in VirtualBox, that way you don't brick Zwift ?

Isn't all of SRAM an ongoing beta program ? (cheap shot I know)

[ripvanrando]

Originally Posted by sg8357

Run the AXS update in VirtualBox, that way you don't brick Zwift ?

Isn't all of SRAM an ongoing beta program ? (cheap shot I know)

11S eTap was bulletproof in my experience. I have 12s AXS Red group to install, hope it does not brick me....??

[Keith A]

I don't think this software is compatible with my mechanical group

But that's crazy about them not accepting any responsibility if their beta software breaks your groupset.

[lavi]

Serious question:

Is this something that happens automatically if you download the app?
I have used AXS for quite some time, I have never thought about using the app. I was considering using it just to mess around. However, not if it is the version that is being discussed.

[madsciencenow]

This sounds like a program u have to opt into.

Regardless, that’s BS that they want u to test at the risk of your hardware.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Keith A]

Originally Posted by lavi

Serious question:

Is this something that happens automatically if you download the app?
I have used AXS for quite some time, I have never thought about using the app. I was considering using it just to mess around. However, not if it is the version that is being discussed.

Not sure if this fully answers your question, but it looks like this pertains to all of their pre-release software which would potentially be what controls the working of the groupset. I would think that if you used the official release of their App and it caused problems, then it seems like they would be liable.

The purpose of the SRAM AXS Beta Program (“Beta Program”) is to make pre-release software, pre-release applications, pre-release services, and related documentation, materials, and information (collectively, the “Pre-Release Software”) available to Beta Program participants from time to time for the purpose of providing SRAM with feedback on the quality and usability of the Pre-Release Software.

[reuben]

Originally Posted by Keith A

I don't think this software is compatible with my mechanical group

But that's crazy about them not accepting any responsibility if their beta software breaks your groupset.

Yeah, I'm a mechanical dude as well, but IF I had some electronic stuff, I sure as heck wouldn't put alpha/beta anything on my bike. Nosiree.

[Nomadmax]

If somebody wants me to "test" something they're gonna give it to me. Even then, it'll have to pass a smell test that it won't crumble under me or throw me over the bars.

Me pay for the "privilege"??? Naw.

[dddd]

I'm sure that there are a good number of techie types who will be happy, proud or whatever to do this testing voluntarily.

And I also think that the legalese software "disclaimer" is perhaps as much or more about not having to answer to every (actually un-related) mechanical incident as so often happens to bicycles operated in the real world (and serviced by mere mortals).
I can see where they might have to adjust the tone if there are too few takers though.

[nickl]

Originally Posted by dddd

I'm sure that there are a good number of techie types who will be happy, proud or whatever to do this testing voluntarily.

And I also think that the legalese software "disclaimer" is perhaps as much or more about not having to answer to every (actually un-related) mechanical incident as so often happens to bicycles operated in the real world (and serviced by mere mortals).
I can see where they might have to adjust the tone if there are too few takers though.

Nonsense. Can you imagine the user/public reaction if Apple, Google (Android) or other tech company issued a similar disclaimer under comparable circumstances?

[unterhausen]

I find it hard to believe that you can actually brick their hardware permanently. OTOH, fixing it might require soldering something to a circuit board that they probably potted pretty well