SRAM Apex groupset unveiled
Ultra-low gearing is key feature of new entry-level group
It’s scheduled for release in spring, it is affordable and it is going to make life a whole lot easier on the hills; SRAM’s latest groupset not only replaces Rival as the company’s entry-level offering but, with the first 11-32 road cassette and accompanying components, incorporates thinking on gearing that may render the triple chainset obsolete on the road.
Apex is the name chosen for the new group, which is constructed using forged or cast aluminium parts rather than carbon composites in order to reduce costs. The brake lever, for example, is in forged aluminium while the gear lever is cast in the same metal. A gloss jet-black finish as seen on Rival gives Apex a clean, sleek look.
Technical solutions already featured on SRAM’s existing road groups find their way into Apex: DoubleTap® shifting, Exact Actuation™ and Zero Loss™ are all present and correct along with Reach Adjust levers. In practice these mean that both up and down gear shifts are made with the one lever, that cable pull is consistent across the range to improve precision, that shifting is near instantaneous and that both brake and gear levers can be adjusted to suit hand size.
What’s new about Apex is the wide-range cassette, which is the basis for what SRAM calls “WiFli” technology and which provides a bottom gear ratio lower than a typical 30:28 triple lowest ratio. Initially conceived to assist Alberto Contador on a particularly arduous mountain time trial during the 2008 Giro d’Italia, the oversized cassette borrows heavily from SRAM’s XX “2x10” mtb technology. The PG-1050 cassette, which has an alumninium spider for the larger sprockets, will be offered in four sprocket combinations: 11-23, 11-26, 11-28 and 11-32t. The last of them will need the Mid-Cage rear mech, while the other three will work with the Short-Cage mech also included in the Apex lineup.
Used in conjunction with the Apex compact double crankset, the 11-32 cassette is said by SRAM to offer a comparable gear range but with a weight saving of over 270g when compared to an equivalent triple chainset group, which means Shimano’s older 5603 version of 105. If so, then it will also usefully undercut the weight of the new 5703 system.
Besides saving weight, SRAM says that WiFli offers faster shifting across equivalent ratios, a wider overall gear range and a narrower pedal tread or Q factor. The necessarily wider gaps between gears have not been found to be a significant factor when riding.
Other intriguing features of Apex include brake calipers long enough to accommodate 28mm tyres, flat bar brake and shift levers and interchangeability with RED, Force and Rival components. The 11/32 sprocket option will also be offered on the PG1070 cassette.
The complete Apex groupset comprises shifter, rear mech, front mech, brake calipers, cassette, chain, GXP external bearing bottom bracket and chainset. This comes in both compact 50/34 and standard 53/39 options and uses forged 6061 T6 aluminium alloy for the crank arms and hard-anodised 7075 T6 aluminium for the PowerGlide™ chainrings, which are identical to those of Rival.
Price is expected to be around the $800 mark when Apex arrives.
www.sram.com
www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk
Discuss this story
This may be worth a look when it comes time to upgrade my current set up. "Price is expected to be around the $800 mark when Apex arrives." That's around £500 in real money, isn't it? If so, very affordable and competative with other similar groupsets although new Shimano 105 can be found on line heavily discounted. Would double tap and zero loss make up for the price difference?
Posted: 18/02/2010 09:27
Which is the typo, 11-32 or 11-34? Whichever, I agree with Richard about it's Sportive appeal. This may be worth a look when it comes time to upgrade my current set up. "Price is expected to be around the $800 mark when Apex arrives." That's around £500 in real money, isn't it? If so, very affordable and competative with other similar groupsets although new Shimano 105 can be found on line heavily discounted. Would double tap and zero loss make up for the price difference?
If the same deals are available compared to those of the existing SRAM groupsets (Force < £700), then I suspect it will be very appealing.
Posted: 18/02/2010 11:01
Which is the typo, 11-32 or 11-34? Whichever, I agree with Richard about it's Sportive appeal.
11-34... Doh. Edited.
Won't there be big jumps between the gears with an 11-34t cassette as opposed to a 12-27t for example? There will indeed be bigger jumps. SRAM say that in testing this has not proved to be a problem given the advantages to be gained. TBH there would not be much point in having the 32t cassette unless you were expecting some serious climbing
Posted: 18/02/2010 13:45
'incorporates thinking on gearing that may render the triple chainset obsolete on the road. Nooooo - 'specially not if you're putting an 11-34 on. I dunno, no idea some people 
Posted: 18/02/2010 14:22
'incorporates thinking on gearing that may render the triple chainset obsolete on the road. Nooooo - 'specially not if you're putting an 11-34 on. I dunno, no idea some people
You'll stick with a triple?
Posted: 18/02/2010 15:31
I don't see what people have against a triple setup, I tried it in 2009 and have decided I like it. I think for the outgoing Ultegra SL group it had a 150g weight penalty over the double version. Personally I like having the 52 and 39, and close rations, and then you have the 30 option if you need it. I have previously tried road compact doubles. Only problem seems to be that there is not much choice makes serious lightweight triple chainsets, I am thinking of getting a Tune triple chainset/bb setup to replace the ultegra sl but the cost is very high. I think its all about image, particularly in the UK. In the French Alps you see plenty of amature road riders with triples.
Posted: 18/02/2010 19:38
I'd have a triple over an 11-34 double anyday!!! 11-34 sounds like something off a £99 Halfrauds mountain bike I miss having a close-ish ratio triple now have a compact double, but mainly due to the previously mentioned problem of having to use the big ring @17mpg I bet an 11-23 triple is lighter than an 11-34 double too.
Posted: 18/02/2010 21:04
SRAM makes a very strong case for using a triple with its corresponding close ratios, etc. As for weight, that 30t inner ring of a triple is always going to weigh less than a cassette trying to compensate on gear spread. No, the real issue for SRAM is that their levers are only compatible with a double chainset - the rest is just a load of American marketing 'botox'.
Posted: 19/02/2010 07:40
... mainly due to the previously mentioned problem of having to use the big ring @17mpg
Ahh-haa. You've let slip your secret, MM. How much does the engine weigh? It must be a comfort on those hills, although getting to the pull cord must be a bit of a bugger. 
Posted: 19/02/2010 09:37
Funny thing is I hardly ever see triples in use in the UK. I have used them a fair bit but don't like the wide tread and asymmetry caused by having to accommodate the extra ring. Personally I can't wait to get my hands on an Apex group and try it on my touring bike.
Posted: 19/02/2010 13:12
Buying a triple was the best thing i did , im not your average 11 stone rider and im more of a typical english gent ! ( fat bas*ard ) I went with a triple on my spesh sectuer as a winter / hack bike and im so glad i choose to ride it on the exmoor beast where the hills do challenge you and its a lot harder to get 14.5 stone up a hill than 11 ! I would rather spin my legs and stay on the bike than getting off and walking as that defeats the object of being on the bike ......
Posted: 19/02/2010 13:36
What is interesting is the choice of ratios within the overall spread: 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 22, 25, 28, 32. (These are the values reported by Cyclingnews.) That's a big gap between the 17 and the 22. I guess you are intended to shift to the smaller ring if you need anything lower than 50 x 17 (about 78"), otherwise the next change is right down to 60". The 34T ring will give you some useful middle gears with the 11, 12, and 13, but the 14 is missing, why? And then that big gap again after the 15. It's a bit perplexing. No doubt the proof of the pudding etc... I await the Editor's test with interest. How about a few traverses of the Long Mynd Richard?
Posted: 19/02/2010 20:18
Interesting setup JG. I also have a triple, a SunTour XT Pro, on the same bracket (UN-91 originally for the low-profile XTR) which gives a nice straight chainline on the most-used gears (38 x 14–17). I tried a 50/34 double and was troubled by the apparent hole in the middle. The decision to change to the smaller ring was always problematic. This would be exaggerated if you can't use the smallest cogs in the 34, as reported by Bally and MM.
Posted: 21/02/2010 15:33
. How about a few traverses of the Long Mynd Richard?
Er, I have ridden over the Long Mynd in 34x25 with luggage more than once, the first time after five pints and a roast lunch in the Sun inn at Corfton...
IMO the problem with the proposed Apex system is that the cassette starts with an 11. It should start with a 13 for the proposed use, in which case the gaps could be filled nicely. Maybe there will be a 13-32 Marchisio cassette to suit.
Posted: 22/02/2010 13:22
"It’s scheduled for release in spring, ...." Looks interesting. Any idea when spring's due?
Posted: 01/03/2010 21:22
Thanks. After-market would be fine. Unfortunately, June would be a little late. Could something similar be achieved with Shimano road levers/chainset and MTB cassette/rear mech? If so, how might this differ in quality and function? Alternatively, the nearest I can find to my current setup (48/42/28 with 11-28) is a Campagnolo triple with the 13-29 cassette. Any better suggestions? Note: most of my riding is done using the middle ring; I want the 28:28 gear, or similar, for steep hills - but don't need anything lower.
Posted: 02/03/2010 13:30
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