Bike reviews, forums, videos, photos, events, social
SRAM Apex Road Group - At First Glance
After going onward and upward with higher-end component groups and upgrades to their mid-range groups over the last few years, SRAM has a new offering for the other side of the spectrum with their new Apex road component group.
The Apex is a very affordable group. At only $799 US, it is several hundred dollars less than 105, Shimano's entry level 10-speed component group. In the situation that our economy is in right now, look for more and more manufacturers to spec the SRAM Apex group on 2011 bicycles.
The most popular feature of the group is the new gear range options. You have the capability to run an 11-32t cassette with the long cage Apex rear derailleur and 50/34 Apex crankest. With this combination, you can achieve the best climbing gear possible among any stock component group on the market. You could get an easier climbing gear with a triple crankset combination, but that adds to the Q-Factor/stance width, which can be troublesome for some riders. By using a two chainring crankset, you also eliminate a lot of gear overlap, reduce cross-chaining, and have much smoother shifts.
The weight of the Apex group is another major selling point. Compared to the most comparable triple chainring group on the market (which can achieve the closest gear ratios), the Apex group is around 284g lighter. That's 11%... which is a significant weight savings.
SRAM is using the same Double-Tap technology that they have been using since the introduction of their road groups several years ago. At first glance, the ergonomics of the lever have not changed either. The group looks very much like the first generation Rival group, lacking the current generation of Rival's carbon brake lever blades. There seem to be some other areas, like the brake calipers, which aren't machined quite the same as Rival, but that is to be expected for a much lower MSRP on the group.
According to rumor, SRAM has plans to release a Rival level longer cage rear derailleur, which would be geared towards the competition crowd looking for a little lighter weight, more resilient option for races with a lot of climbing involved. All you would have to do is switch the cassette and derailleur, and your bike is customized for the hills.
SRAM has given their attack at the lower end market the name "WiFLi," which stands for Wider (gear range, Faster (shifts), and Lighter (less weight than comparable component groups). They seem to have accomplished that with the development of this group. At first glance, it seems that with Apex, SRAM has effectively made bike manufacturers capable of producing a better functioning, lower cost bike.
Check out their press release regarding the group at http://www.sram.com/news/sram-apex-wherever-road-takes-you.
Stay tuned for a VeloReviews.com test of the Apex group as it becomes available.
SPECIFICATIONS
Shift/Brake levers: SRAM Apex Double Tap, double compatible only (344g per pair)
Rear derailleur: SRAM Apex mid- or short-cage (SC - 200g, MC - 210g)
Front derailleur: SRAM Apex Zero Loss, braze-on, 31.8mm clamp-on or 34.9mm clamp-on (BO - 89g, CO - 103g)
Cassette: PG-1050, 11-32, 11-28, 11-26, 11-23 (11-32 - 299g)
Brake calipers: SRAM Apex Skelotonized Dual Pivot (306g per pair)
Crank set: SRAM Apex GXP 50/34 or 53/39 (890g - including GXP bottom bracket)
Bottom bracket: SRAM Apex GXP
Chain: SRAM Apex PG-1050
MSRP: $799
Tags: apex, components, parts, sram
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Fun Run Robbie on -
Hi Josh,
I plan to buy this groupset for my Trek Descovery Channel frame, however first i must sell my Susuki Intrudor 125 motorbike, Half the money goes for the groupset, the other half for my TDF trip to see the riders in the stage at Lourdes this year, i will be the one wearing Orange of the Basque folks.
All the Best
Stewart FRR Barker
Site Search
Photo Caption Contest - win this photo!
Sponsored by:
Enter the contest >>
See all the past contest photos and read all their captions >>
Many sites hold photo caption contests. You put on your “witty hat” and get a few minutes of Internet fame. Well those sites suck because that’s the end of the road. VeloReviews gives you a chance to win the actual photo, cuz that’s how we roll:
Enter the contest >>
See all the past contest photos and read all their captions >>
© 2010 Created by VeloReviews.
