Once upon a time, electronic groupsets were exclusively for high-end bikes and the most demanding riders. SRAM has slowly killed that mentality as their wireless technology tricked down from Red to Force and then Rival AXS groups for road and gravel. As their wireless/electronic AXS ecosystem has expanded, some of us have wondered if it spelled the end of mechanical groupsets altogether for drop bar bikes. After all, it had been 8 years since the last major mechanical groupset launch (SRAM Force 1). Well… SRAM now has a plan to further expand their electronic shifting offering while also updating their mechanical groupset options — bringing them to 12-speed Eagle.
The all-new SRAM Apex groupsets are squarely aimed at the OEM market — offering value and 1x simplicity in both electronic and mechanical options. So, with a single stroke, SRAM is both killing the front derailleur on entry-level road and gravel bikes and further solidifying their position as the market leader of electronic groupsets. Looking back in a few more years, this likely will spell the end of the front derailleur on drop bar bikes for all bikes and riders who are simply out for a good time and some exercise on two wheels.
The all-new SRAM Apex groups will be available in the following variations:
- Apex XPLR AXS ($1195 complete): Identical form factor, cassette and gearing of Rival XPLR AXS
- Apex Eagle AXS ($1292 complete): An Apex/X1 mullet kit with the same function, cassette and gearing as Rival/GX AXS mullet
- Apex XPLR ($947 complete): Mechanical DoubleTap 1×12 groupset with tight XPLR gearing
- Apex Eagle ($929 complete): Mechanical DoubleTap 1×12 groupset with wide-range gearing
Some of the Apex groups are trickle-down from both road/gravel and MTB kits, but some items are unique to the Apex family. Most of that uniqueness is on the mechanical side with the XPLR and Eagle rear derailleurs. You’ll notice that each of those derailleurs include barrel adjusters, which isn’t found on the Eagle MTB drivetrains. And, like Rival, you can get the Quarq single-sized power meter as an upgrade to Apex cranksets.
Notably, there will be standard SRAM/Shimano cassette options with an 11T cog. This further expands wheelset compatibility and reduces the need for an XDR driver to run Apex 12-speed drivetrains.
Apex AXS availability is June 2023 with Apex mechanical coming in September 2023. We’ll have a Salsa gravel bike with Apex mechanical in for review shortly, so stay tuned for a review of SRAM’s new entry-level drop bar groupset.
More Info: Visit SRAM.com
