“Apex is the group that knows how to have a good time. Wide-range 1×12 gearing for gravel, bikepacking, adventure, casual cruises, and everything in between. Whether with wireless AXS or classic DoubleTap mechanical shifting, Apex provides smooth and reliable shifting, chain retention, and controlled and powerful hydraulic braking. Apex is simple to understand and easy to use, keeping the focus on what matters most – finding the fun.” – https://sram.com
APEX AXS SHIFT-BRAKE SYSTEM
“Smooth and powerful hydraulic braking mated to 12-speed wireless, intuitive shifting is an unbeatable combo at any level. An optimized hood shape fits all hand sizes for comfortable and controlled braking from the hoods and the drops. Shifting is as easy as ever: one paddle to go to an easier gear, and one to go harder. Nothing extra, nothing distracting.”
- AXS enabled for easy wireless setup, personalization, and reliability
- eTap shift logic for intuitive wireless shifting
- Hydraulic disc brakes for power and modulation
- Optimized hood shape fits a wide range of hand sizes
- Textured shift paddles and hoods for control and comfort
- Reach Adjust to personalize fit for more hand sizes
Video: Everything about the NEW SRAM Apex Groupsets
Alternative Video Link for those reading via email subscription.
Continued from Above:
APEX XPLR AXS REAR DERAILLEUR
“The Apex XPLR AXS rear derailleur fits wide-range cassettes with 36T or 44T large cogs and incorporates a spring clutch for flawless chain management on or off-road. Innovative and intuitive eTap shift logic and AXS connectivity keeps Apex delightfully distraction-free.”
- AXS enabled for easy wireless setup, monitoring, personalization, and reliability
- 1x specific for use with 11-44 T XPLR, 10-44T XPLR, and 10-36T cassettes
- Chain management keeps the drivetrain quiet and secure
X1 EAGLE AXS REAR DERAILLEUR (OEM Only)
“From trail to gravel and everything in-between, the X1 Eagle AXS rear derailleur is the smart choice for riders looking for a derailleur that is comfortable in any terrain. Compatible with all Eagle drivetrain cassettes, the X1 Eagle AXS derailleur is suitable for gravel or mountain bike applications. Taking from the DNA of the mountain bike AXS derailleurs, X1 Eagle AXS protects itself with our Overload Clutch feature, making it more robust and reliable than traditional derailleurs. No matter the application, the X1 Eagle AXS derailleur is purpose built for your ride, whatever it may be.”
- Eagle Ecosystem compatible
- AXS enabled for easy wireless setup, monitoring, personalization, and reliability
- Compatible with Eagle drivetrain 50T or 52T cassettes
- Overload Clutch protects against impacts
- Cage Lock technology makes for fast wheel changes or chain installation
APEX AXS CRANKARM POWER METER UPGRADE
“Accurate, reliable power measurement is practically a requirement these days, and the Apex AXS crankarm power meter upgrade is the easiest way to get precise power numbers. With the tech hidden inside the DUB spindle, it fits almost any bike while remaining stealthy.”
- DUB-PWR spindle-based unit measures left side power to calculate total watts
- Proven reliability and accuracy
- Long battery life (400+ hours) to power a season of rides
- User replaceable AAA lithium battery
- DUB bottom bracket adds durability and simplicity
- Waterproof (IPX7 waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes)
- Lightweight (less than 40g heavier than standard crankset)
APEX MECHANICAL DRIVETRAINS
“Our latest 12-speed technology from our premier electronic groups has come to mechanical shifting and your ride has never been better. It’s a 1x drivetrain with a wide-range cassette, chain retention technology, and our latest ergonomic breakthroughs that maximizes ease of use and minimizes distractions. All you have to do is soak in the scenery.”
APEX SHIFT-BRAKE SYSTEM
“The Apex shift-brake lever features our tried and true hydraulic braking platform, now supercharged to 12 speeds to work with our 1x Eagle and XPLR gearing choices. We’ve incorporated the celebrated ergonomics of our AXS controls for optimized control and comfort for the widest range of hand sizes. Reach Adjust allows personalization, and the Stealth-a-majig hose connector makes quick setup a breeze.”
- Optimized hood shape fits a wider range of hand sizes
- 12-speed for use with Apex XPLR and Eagle mechanical derailleurs
- Hydraulic disc brakes for power and modulation
- Textured shift hoods for control and comfort
- Reach Adjust to personalize fit for more hand sizes
- Stealth-a-majig connector for easy setup
APEX DISC BRAKE LEFT LEVER
“There’s no need for a shift mechanism, but the Apex disc brake is still packed with features. We optimized the hood shape to fit a wide range of hand sizes, and included Reach Adjust for further personalization.”
- Hydraulic disc brakes for power and modulation
- Optimized hood shape fits a wider range of hand sizes
- Textured shift hoods for control and comfort
- Reach Adjust to personalize fit for more hand sizes
APEX XPLR REAR DERAILLEUR
“You want your bike to do everything, so you need gears that can do everything. The Apex XPLR derailleur hits the sweet spot of smooth jumps over a big gear range, all with unmatched chain security and the simplicity of a 1x drivetrain. Quietly and quickly shift across our 12-speed cassettes with 44T large cogs, knowing you’ll have the gears you need.”
- Compatible with cassettes with 44T large cogs
- Use with Flattop chain
- Works with 12-speed mechanical Apex and Eagle shifters
- Clutch controls chain tension for consistent shifting
- X-HORIZON straight parallelogram design limits all movement to the horizontal axis, which makes ghost shifting impossible while also reducing shift force
- Cage Lock technology makes for fast wheel changes or chain installation
APEX EAGLE REAR DERAILLEUR
“Eagle range on a drop bar bike? Now that’s a party. The Apex Eagle rear derailleur quietly and quickly shifts across our 12-speed Eagle cassettes, while 1x-specific chain retention technology keeps the chain where it needs to be. It’s the best of our road and mountain bike innovations in one package.”
- Compatible with 50T and 52T Eagle cassettes
- Works with 12-speed mechanical Apex and Eagle shifters
- Use with Eagle chain
- Roller Bearing Clutch controls chain tension for consistent shifting
- X-HORIZON straight parallelogram design limits all movement to the horizontal axis, which makes ghost shifting impossible while also reducing shift force
- Cage Lock technology makes for fast wheel changes or chain installation
APEX GROUPSET COMPONENTS
APEX 1 WIDE CRANKSET
“A single chainring with a wide-range cassette is a wonderfully clean way to tackle so many disciplines, and we’re the 1x leaders. Our Apex 1 Wide crankset features aluminum crankarms, a light and stiff DUB spindle, and elegant and secure direct-mount X-SYNC chainrings for flawless chain management. The wide chainline accommodates wider tires for any type of adventure.”
- Single-ring drivetrain simplifies functionality and reduces weight
- Wide chainline crankset to fit the biggest gravel tires
- Longer DUB crank spindle accommodates both Road and MTB width frame bottom bracket standards for unmatched cross-compatibility across brands
- Compatible with 135mm, 142mm and Boost rear spacing
- SRAM X-SYNC wide-tooth, narrow-tooth chainring technology provides maximum chain control
- DUB bottom bracket adds durability and simplicity
XPLR PG-1231 CASSETTE
“Maximum range, minimum fuss. This 12-speed 11-44T cassette provides 2x range in a 2x package and fits on a traditional 11-speed driver body for broad integration. The smooth cog progression keeps jumps between cogs tightest when it’s time to go fast, with more meaningful gaps for climbing.”
- 12-speed
- 400% range gives the coverage 1x riders want
- Cog sizes: 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 28,32, 38, 44
- For use with XPLR 1x rear derailleurs
- Compatible with Flattop chains
- For 11-speed road driver bodies
APEX 12-SPEED CHAIN
“Flattop technology is so much more than a distinctive look. It allows our 12-speed chain to be lighter, stronger and more durable than anything that came before. The Apex chain uses the same construction as the Rival and Force chains, with a polished grey finish.”
- 12-speed
- Flattop technology allows for a narrower chain with quieter operation and increased strength and durability
- Includes Flattop PowerLock
- Polished steel with grey finish
S-300 DISC BRAKE CALIPER
“Power, reliability, light weight, and a flat mount caliper. This brake has it all. Top class modulation and a consistent bite point will inspire confidence for many miles.”
- Flat mount for flat bar
- Same proven lever technologies as Guide: piston, seals, reservoir, and bladder
- Compact lever body with DirectLink
S-300 Flat Bar Brake Levers
- For Apex AXS drivetrain, use a flatbar AXS controller to shift your rear derailleur.
- For Apex mechanical, Eagle trigger or twist shifters are compatible with Apex mechanical and Eagle mechanical derailleurs
(Mullet style drivetrain).
WEIGHT & PRICING
- 1x AXS XPLR groupset: $1195US / £1262* / €1411/$2054AUD*
- 1x AXS Eagle groupset: $1294US / £1303* / €1460/2242AUD*
- x AXS XPLR flatbar groupset: $1063US / £1099* / €1225/$1556AUD
- 1x AXS Eagle flatbar groupset: $1162US / £1140* / €1274/$2016AUD*
- 1x mechanical XPLR groupset $987US / £1060* / €1176/$1697AUD*
- 1x mechanical Eagle groupset: $971US/ £1035* / €1149/$1670AUD*
- 1x mechanical XPLR flatbar groupset $696US / £730*/ €811/$1197AUD*
- 1x mechanical Eagle flatbar groupset: $680US / £705* / €784/$1170AUD*
A groupset includes: Shift-brake system, rotors, crankset, chain, cassette, rear derailleur. Bottom bracket priced separately. *VAT included with £ and € pricing.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Long-Term Review
We have a review sample of SRAM Apex AXS XPLR in for long-term review, fitted to an interesting review bike. Watch this space for news on this bike, and more!
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Links of Interest:
- SRAM – https://sram.com
- Gravel Bike Tyre Pressure Guidelines
- Tailwind Nutrition (JOM’s choice of on-the-bike hydration)
- Gravel Cyclist’s Route Library
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