SRAM Apex question

[The_Z_man]

Hey all of you out there in internet land,

Has anybody used SRAM Apex yet? I realize that it's just now getting into the 2011 models, but I figured I'd throw it out there.

I'm currently looking at getting either a Felt F75 with the new 105 or a Specialized Allez M2 with Apex. They both look comparable, and are priced almost exactly the same.

If anyone has any input, thanks in advance.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Hey all of you out there in internet land,

Has anybody used SRAM Apex yet? I realize that it's just now getting into the 2011 models, but I figured I'd throw it out there.

I'm currently looking at getting either a Felt F75 with the new 105 or a Specialized Allez M2 with Apex. They both look comparable, and are priced almost exactly the same.

If anyone has any input, thanks in advance.

Well, the fit of the frame is more important than components but if they fit equally well, ride equally well, get the shimano 105 kit. More refined, more durable, much better FD action.

 

[Spofferoonie]

Depends what you want. The aim of Apex is to give roughly the same range of gears as a triple on a compact (although it'll be obviously lighter). I ran a rather massive 11-32 Apex cassette in the Alps and it gave me a safety gear (or two). If you're only going to ride on the flat, go for 105 because it's a better system - you can always get an Apex cassette if you have to drag yourself up a mountain.

 

[Anonymous]

????

Depends what you want. The aim of Apex is to give roughly the same range of gears as a triple on a compact (although it'll be obviously lighter). I ran a rather massive 11-32 Apex cassette in the Alps and it gave me a safety gear (or two). If you're only going to ride on the flat, go for 105 because it's a better system - you can always get an Apex cassette if you have to drag yourself up a mountain.

So are you saying that the Apex 11-32 will work on a 105 53-39? I was thinking of using an Apex 11-32 with my Ultegra 53-39 but wasn't sure about compatability. There are a few 20% climbs around that are starting to hurt.

 

[PCutter]

So are you saying that the Apex 11-32 will work on a 105 53-39? I was thinking of using an Apex 11-32 with my Ultegra 53-39 but wasn't sure about compatability. There are a few 20% climbs around that are starting to hurt.

I think you'll find your rear derailleur cage will struggle to deal with a 32 rear. I believe the cage size on Shimano will allow a 28 rear max. this is one of the big 'innovations' that Sram claimed when coming out with Apex - ie, that the rear cage was designed to take a 32 where others topped out at 28. I don't have any direct experience with it (Apex) but I seem to remember reading this in early reviews - maybe search CN and other sites reviews to confirm - or some other blogger on here may shoot me down....

 

[AnythingButKestrel]

I thought Apex was reliable because the rear derailleur is specific to the -32 cassette. Can you get there with a stock Shimano derailleur?

 

[AnythingButKestrel]

I think you'll find your rear derailleur cage will struggle to deal with a 32 rear. I believe the cage size on Shimano will allow a 28 rear max. this is one of the big 'innovations' that Sram claimed when coming out with Apex - ie, that the rear cage was designed to take a 32 where others topped out at 28. I don't have any direct experience with it (Apex) but I seem to remember reading this in early reviews - maybe search CN and other sites reviews to confirm - or some other blogger on here may shoot me down....

That's pretty much what I thought was going on. My Ultegra setup barely ran 11-28.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Depends what you want. The aim of Apex is to give roughly the same range of gears as a triple on a compact (although it'll be obviously lighter). I ran a rather massive 11-32 Apex cassette in the Alps and it gave me a safety gear (or two). If you're only going to ride on the flat, go for 105 because it's a better system - you can always get an Apex cassette if you have to drag yourself up a mountain.

Or, get an all 105 kit but a Apex cogset and XT long cage RD and bob's your uncle. Yes, the '9s' XT rear derailleur will shift 10s cogset just fine w/o any modification.

 

[The_Z_man]

Thanks for the input. Obviously, the components won't be a major factor in my decision, but I was interested in what people know about Apex, since I've only just read about it.

I don't live in CO, but around here we've got some short, but kind of steep, hills. Triples don't enter into my equasion, but neither does a straight block cassette.