Sram launches the new version of its entry level system par excellence, namely theApexCompared to the past, the part related to the transmission is completely overturned and will be proposed in two versions, That AXS with wireless operation, the DoubleTap mechanic flush.
The new Sram Apex is only in the 1×12 combination and is aimed at gravel, bikepacking, and adventure riding. Let's go into detail and do so with the help of Sram Product Manager John Paul McCarthy, which contributed significantly to the development of the new Apex.
How long did it take to develop the new Apex platform?
Ben 8 years of workIn the middle of it all was Covid, and during that time, other priorities arose.
Frames have changed a lot in the last eight years, or at least the latest generations of bikes are very different from those of ten years ago. Has the new Apex taken all these changes into account?
It's true, the latest generations of framekits are very different compared to those of 8/10 years ago. Integration, for example, but electronic transmissions have also contributed to changing some ways of designing and building. The same AXS wireless transmissions They don't have cables or wiring, so much so that some manufacturers have designed special bikes without holes for the cables. But it is necessary to consider that the new Sram Apex is aimed at a very specific category of products and users, conceptually, it's separate from the top-of-the-range models. During its development, we took into account some important variables, such as the fact that it's now easier to fit a mechanical drivetrain on an entry-level bike.
In the era of electronic transmissions, a mechanical transmission was also developed. Why?
Assuming that the focus of the new Sram group is gravel in all its forms, with the single crown and the necessary versatility, the new Apex wants to also take into account an advantageous price. Likewise, the second objective is to satisfy a group of users who maintain a high level of feeling with mechanical transmissions.
The new Sram Apex
The AXS shifter design adopts the same architecture of thelatest Force version, for a design that in all respects tends to unite the Sram transmission familyWill we see it on Red in the future too? We'll see. In fact The new Apex AXS eTap is a 1×12 drivetrain with wireless operation. The the levers of the manettini are made of aluminum and have an adjustable stroke, just like the new Force. The ones on the mechanical version, with levers that have a greater rounding and have the gear change button DoubleTap on the right shifter only. The mechanical gear levers also act on the hydraulic brake system. There is no wire-operated braking system.
The rear rocker is of XPLR matrix (short for Explorer), optimized for use with cassettes up to 44 teeth (largest sprocket), and incorporating a clutch to lock out the linkage. In pure MTB style. The rear derailleur battery is fully compatible with other SRAM drivetrains in the AXS range. The available 12-speed Apex sprocket cassettes are: 10/44, 10/36, and 11/44.
Eagle AXS shifter
C'è anche il Eagle AXS version rear derailleur, a solution that is perfectly integrated into theSram AXS ecosystem and which allows you to mount sprockets with up to 52 teeth. It descends directly from the Eagle mtb family.
The same concepts are also used for the mechanical version, that is, with the traditional balance wheel (without battery and without electronic parts) and the Eagle version.
The crankset is made of aluminum and is common to both systems. It has the enlarged axle diameter (DUB, just like its bigger brothers) and uses the X-Sync crowns with wide teeth (38, 40 and 42 teeth, 44 and 46). This solution is intended to hold the chain, especially in complicated off-road situations. The chain line has been increased, so as not to negatively impact wide tires (for those frames that feature particularly bulky tires). The chain has the Flattop design used for other latest generation systems Sram, is in steel.
And then the braking system which is inspired by that of the MTBThe systems are hydraulic and use DOT fluid. The calipers are made of aluminum, they are not a single block, but two sections that join together. They are perfectly compatible with other Sram hydraulic systems (as well as the pads). Furthermore, the braking system of the new Shame on Apex It is also compatible with brake levers suitable for commuting use, for flat handlebars.
There is also the power meter
As for one of the versions of the Rival, The Apex also has its own power meterIt is integrated into the thru-axle and measures the power output of the left crankarm (the one without chainrings - non-drive). It requires a single AAA battery with a claimed life of more than 400 hours. The available lengths, as with all Apex crankarms, are: 165 and 170, 172,5 and 175 millimeters.
Other things to know
The new broadcast Shame on Apex It has a declared weight of 2.900 grams in the AXS XPLR configuration, 3.190 grams in the Eagle configuration. The mechanical package has a declared weight of 2.882 and 3.072 grams, respectively. The prices of complete groupsets vary, because it is necessary to consider the numerous variables of the components. Just to give a few examples, they range from 1.126 euros for the mechanical XPLR version, to 1.370 euros for the Apex AXS XPLR. In the Eagle versions, the list price is 1.095 euros for the mechanical version, 1.450 euros for the AXS version.
The new Apex AXS is compatible with remote control buttons on the transmission, but only with Blips Wireless.
The AXS system is available immediately, while the mechanical version will be available until the end of summer.
