SRAM: Expands 12-speed electronic shifting system to Apex

SRAM isn't content with just three 12-speed electronic drivetrain options and is launching Apex AXS, which sits below the Red AXS, Force AXS, and Rival AXS groupsets.

It's one-by only (1x) and comes in a wide-range XPLR configuration with 10-36t, 10-44t and 11-44t cassettes. While cassettes starting at 10 teeth require an XDR freewheel, the 11-44t cassette fits a standard 11-speed freewheel, adding additional wheel compatibility.

There's also a new Apex Eagle AXS option that uses a 10-50t, 11-50t or 10-52t cassette for a really wide range of gears.

Alongside the electronic drivetrains, corresponding Apex XPLR and Apex Eagle 12-speed mechanical groupsets are also available, which use SRAM's familiar Doubletap shifting logic.

Apex XPLR AXS electronic groupset

The Apex XPLR AXS groupset is a lower-priced version of the Rival 1 AXS single-ring groupset. It uses the same removable battery and can be recalibrated using the AXS phone app. The groupset is available with hydraulic disc brakes only and includes a new Apex-spec Flattop chain. The rear derailleur uses a spring-loaded clutch to help keep the chain in order, and the levers feature a ribbed design with adjustable reach. The Apex AXS levers can be paired with up to three sets of Blips wireless satellite shifters, and the Apex 12-speed uses a direct-mount 1x crankset with a single chainring available in a variety of sizes.

Apex mechanical groupset

At the same time, SRAM introduced a 12-speed mechanical option for the Apex, the first 12-speed mechanical shifting set for road bikes.

It's compatible with 10-44t and 11-44t cassettes and incorporates SRAM's DoubleTap shifting system into the right lever. Like the electronic option, it includes reach adjust and hydraulic disc brakes, and uses the same Apex Flattop chain and mechanical clutch.

Wide range of Apex Eagle options

SRAM has now brought Eagle technology to the road with the release of the Apex Eagle AXS and Apex Eagle mechanical electronic groupsets, which are compatible with a 50t or 52t cassette with the largest cog. Eagle is the name for SRAM’s 12-speed mountain bike groupsets that use a wide-range cassette. electronic rear derailleur, called the X1 Eagle AXS, is designed to work with either MTB AXS or Apex AXS road bike levers and is compatible with gravel and mountain bike drivetrains. The cassettes require an Eagle 12-speed chain and have MTB-like spacing, so they require a spacer to fit an XDR freehub.

Additional flat-bar options

SRAM hasn't limited its new Apex technology to bikes , as it has also launched a hydraulic brake lever for flat bars. Shifting can be used with either an AXS flat bar shifter or, for mechanical groupsets, a 12-speed flat bar or gripshift shifter.

What does all this mean?

The availability of a fourth tier in SRAM’s electronic groupset hierarchy means there is a wider variety of options and electronic and 12-speed transmission is available to a wider audience. SRAM has increased the Apex’s cross-compatibility with MTB groupsets, offering more options for road or gravel use. Features like standard 11-speed freehub compatibility and flat bar levers broaden the appeal for road riders. The new group is heavily geared towards gravel bikes, borrowing technology from SRAM’s single-ring solutions for mountain and gravel bikes.

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