SRAM APEX AXS Review: Electronic Shifting for Everyone!

[@pulser955]

It sounds like someone watched a few videos from pathless pedaled😂

[@GravelCyclist]

That would be a negative, I don't have time to watch content from fellow cyclists.

[@pulser955]

@@GravelCyclist Well he’s constantly complaining lately that we aren’t all still on friction shifters. I agree with you and I love my AXS bike.

[@GravelCyclist]

Oh geez. Russ is an acquaintance, but friction is rubbish. AXS is so so good, and SRAM smashed it out of the park with this version.

[@pulser955]

@@GravelCyclist Yea his ideas sometimes blow my mind. He did an hour long show with some guy I can’t remember. But they spent the whole time saying indexed shifting was the worst thing ever. I’m glad apex is so good it’s probably going to be the group I put on my next build. I am really happy it comes with a power meatier.

[@GravelCyclist]

Sounds like click bait crap to me. I love index shifting, electronic shifting, muscle cars, sports cars, and other awesomeness! :)

[@renatotaumaturgo.otorrino]

Hello, can I install levers (right and left) and rear shifter from SRAM AXS APEX with cassette, crankset, chain and front shifter from SRAM AXS RIVAL? Thank you very much

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello there, yes, you should have no issues pairing those Apex shifters with different levels of SRAM components. That is one of the really nice features about SRAM eTap AXS.

[@renatotaumaturgo.otorrino]

@@GravelCyclist and can I use a sram rival10-30T cassette? because on the Sram website, it states compatibility with 10-36T cassette

[@GravelCyclist]

@@renatotaumaturgo.otorrino The smallest cassette I have used with an XPLR derailleur for Rival, Force, etc, has been a 10-36. I tried a 10-33 but shifting was not consistent on some of the cogs.

[@renatotaumaturgo.otorrino]

@@GravelCyclist ok!! Thank you!!

[@ColinKlupiec]

Excellent review, Jom. Seems to me that Apex AXS is better described as ‘other tier’ rather than ‘lower tier’, ‘4th tier’, or ‘entry level’, especially since it shares the same electronics as the others. This looks much more like a new product segment rather than an additional tier ‘below’ the others. 1x only, with gravel focus seems to be a key point and a clever move as that would clearly reduce production costs. A simpler finish makes sense too when it’s all covered in dirt and dust. As someone who has only ever ridden Shimano, this looks very compelling.

[@JuggernautMTB]

Going from roadie set up to one by is an adjustment for sure… but, coming from the MTB side, it’s awesome. Oh my lord that Vette is gorgeous.

[@timlomax5824]

Nice; great work; a straight forward review, detailed and well presented.

[@MrJhamil05]

Thanks Jom, Great review. I have mechanical SRAM, 1x11 and I want to upgrade to electronic shifting. This sounds perfect for my scenario: gravel, gravel gravel. I dislike users that are so against e-shifting. Thanks Jeff (Ontario, Canada)

[@GravelCyclist]

Hi Mr Jham, this variant of eTap has really brought the price down. You will love this groupset!

[@chrisvejnovich116]

This is a cool groupset. I wonder where a guy like me would fall in between the bipolar positions of friction shifting and electronic shifting. I like metal bikes. I ride a leather saddle because it fits me better than anything I've ever ridden from all the big saddle manufacturers. But I have indexing on my bike. I converted a 1x and I love it!! I race a couple times a year but never for the podium. More for my enjoyment. And to push myself to my limits. I'm thinking the new Shimano GRX 12 speed mechanical is the place for me. @gravelcyclist.... I haven't searched your videos all the way, but have you reviewed the new Shimano 12-speed GRX?

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello Chris, I ran a feature on the 12-speed GRX here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4G9ZaB6f6-mf5Y - I was fortunate to be at Shimano's media camp for the new groupset. I should have a long-term review coming later, at least of the 2x groupset.

[@chrisvejnovich116]

@@GravelCyclist thank you for the link and your great videos!

[@angelomaffei666]

Hi John, good video! I watched also the Rival XPLR 1x12, but now I’m quiet confused… 😅 Canyon gives you both APEX and RIVAL 1x12 on Grizl CF, what would you choose?

[@GravelCyclist]

Hey there, it's JOM, but we can let that go :) You need to compare other components on the two bikes, and make your decision based on that. Apex and Rival, difficult to tell many discernable differences.

[@kevinbabbitt]

Awesome vid! Does anyone know how this groupset deals with cold temps? I live in Minnesota and want to be riding 10ish months out of the year and looking at upgrading a gravel bike with 650b's and sram apex axs for late fall/winter/early spring riding.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you! Mid 20's F is the lowest I've ridden any eTap groupset. I would expect significantly less battery life in way colder temperatures than this, packing a spare could be handy.

[@AceMBP]

My question.. for the Apex or Rival Axs do the blips require an expensive blipbox/vukabox? I run rival AXS. I definitely recommend ditching the stock brake pads for an aftermarket.. I use these blue ones from Hammerhead ram and they are tons better but still make some noise.. anyone else recommend better pads than the stock ones?

[@GravelCyclist]

The blips in this video are wireless and work with all levels of AXS, no Blip Box needed.

[@lazlo2511]

I’m not sold on this 1x tech, why put the entire drive train under such strain? The chain is never holding a clean line, I think from a friction point perspective a 2x is more suitable and offers up a nice range. Mentally looking down you are constantly reminded… this is all I got? 😂😂😂 I hope Apex offer an Apex 2 that gives love to the seattube.

[@GravelCyclist]

I much prefer 2x, but I am happy SRAM is making electronic shifting more attainable for more riders. 2x Apex would be 👌

[@bebopman5]

For me, I enjoy the simplicity of a 1x drivetrain. 10-12 gears is enough if you understand your personal limits and can gauge the terrain you usually ride on. I use a gear-inch calculator online to determine the front chainring and cassette range necessary. Cadence also usually isn’t an issue (at least for me).

[@mikicastan]

With my ride style i can only dream about 1000 km ridden with one charge,at least with xx1 eagle. I always have a spare battery

[@GravelCyclist]

Since making the switch to electronic way back, I noticed I change gears way more often vs mechanical. Never ridden Eagle, it looks pretty amazing for an MTB.

[@Liplip40]

Same, I shift way more with electronic shifting,

[@ianthedondaws7559]

You going to review the orbea ??

[@GravelCyclist]

50/50 at the moment.

[@DaveCM]

Where electronic serves me best is when I'm bonked or at my limit. My brain shuts down to include my muscle memory. I've under or over swept gear changes more times than I can count. With SRAM's electronic, I don't have that problem. I fully agree. Friction shifting is garbage. I'm old enough that I started out on friction shifting. I never want to go back.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks Dave. I reminded myself how much it sucked at the 2016 L'Eroica. 220kms of toe straps, crap brakes, limited gearing, and friction.

[@glassacre]

This was the case for me as well. I got on the Campag Ekar train early on and over/under swept gear changes more often than I could count. I ride longer distances and at the end of my thread, gear changes were a chore. I've been using Di2 since and not going back to mechanical, unless it's for a commuter/casual type bike. I think people underestimate how much fatigue impacts your riding once you get beyond the more casual distances.

[@GravelCyclist]

@@glassacre Spot on. The retro grouches and friction shifting aficionados who tell you that crap is the best, even in 2023, are completely FOS.

[@Ben-td4vz]

Thanks for the review, maybe the Apex becomes my entrance into electronic shifting. Speaking of gravelbike reviews, will you review the demo-Orbea as well?

[@GravelCyclist]

Appreciate the kind words. 50/50 on the Orbea review.

[@andrewcalladine2507]

My issue with SRAM is that they're products are not sustainable, the blips are sealed units and you can't replace the batteries. The crankset with the inbuilt power meter is also a sealed unit and if the chain rings wear out, the whole unit is junk, really crazy.

[@GravelCyclist]

Well, I learned something about the power meter today. Agreed about the wireless blips. Be interesting to crack one open once dead to see if the custom battery is available somewhere?

[@BrianMcDonald]

I wasn't super excited about the power meter life being connected to the life of the chainring so I got power pedals. You can get a non power crankset and save money on the replacements.

[@GravelCyclist]

@@BrianMcDonald I've been riding the Garmin power pedals for about two years. Which brand are you running?

[@BrianMcDonald]

@@GravelCyclist I went with the Assioma Favero Duo-Shi pedals which is purchased as a spindle that you put your Shimano pedals on, and they have been very nice so far.

[@williwacker2774]

If you want to be sustainable, just don't use a power meter. Do you really need it?

[@hansschotterradler3772]

More options; I guess that's a good thing. Good to see a cassette option that starts with 11t.

[@GravelCyclist]

I was very surprised but happy, that SRAM chose HG compatibility with that 11T cassette.

[@thedownunderverse]

Still a hard no from me on the basis of DOT fluid.

[@LeConcerto]

What are the benefits of mineral oil, aside from its non-corrosiveness?

[@thedownunderverse]

@@LeConcerto environmentally friendlier and won’t give you cancer. If you don’t care for the environment or your health, consider mineral oil won’t damage your bike if spilled (DOT will) and also requires less frequent maintenance/bleeding.

[@GravelCyclist]

You can also drink mineral oil... as a laxative :) Don't try that with DOT fluid... errr.

[@thedownunderverse]

@@GravelCyclist “a hard earned thirst needs a good brake bleed….. and the best brake bleed is Vic. matter of fact I got it now” IYKYK 😜

[@GravelCyclist]

Vic Bitter, haha. Or, have a SOLO if you get into a jam (no booze option, haha). Me, I prefer a Coopers Pale Ale, noice!