SRAM's new Apex group makes modern gravel bikes more affordable

[@Liplip40]

SRAM getting after it. Excellent prose around Pros and Cons. Great review as usual Mr. Ben.

[@AntoineThisdale]

2:53 that moment when Ben secretly hopes he put a brake hold in the front brake.

[@kantace5198]

With 3 crank sizes and explore / Eagle, there is quite a bit of customization. I am impressed

[@innogravel]

Hi Ben! Another stellar video. Glad to see you rockin' that Lauf Seigla Rigid!

[@KwadSkwad]

Glad to see the tech trickling down!! Lauf looking good too :P

[@Danny.darvalics]

This is best explanation of the group sets and wireless vs analog.

[@woolfel]

I love Shimano Di2 and SRAM Rival on my road bikes. I am a heavy sweater and my cables used to break once a year. Since switching to electronic, that never happens. I don't ever have to turn around because the cable broke and I have to limp back. The worst time I was 15 miles from home and had to climb back up a hill to get home.

[@zypang1447]

Doesn't make any sense, the cable are inside housing, inside the shifter, and for most inside the frame. Your sweat should never touch the cables. It's a nice fake story though.

[@derekmattice3077]

SRAM shifters use CR2032 batteries (aside from the rechargeable rear derailleur battery). I had a SRAM group that the right shifter chewed through batteries. I had to carry a coin cell battery with me since it would happen in the middle of a ride miles from a town. The contacts weren't touching, never resolved the issue until I switched to Ekar.

[@nelsonglover3963]

Sounds like a warranty issue surely

[@miklm]

True, on the other hand I’ve had a SRAM ETAP RED (1st gen, 11s road group) for 5+ years and I think I’ve changed the batteries in the shifters once, and that was just to be preventative. I carry an extra 2032 battery & an eTap battery just in case because I’m OCD but it’s been the best group set I’ve ever had. I’m ready to swap my gravel & MTB over to AXS now.

[@michaelloos3872]

Looking forward to the LAUF review

[@TonInter]

Thanks for the in-depth explanation. Appreciated your dog's input as well!

[@Hintonbro.]

As someone who has been considering the switch to electronic, I appreciate your thorough run down of the pros and cons Ben. Great job 👍

[@zypang1447]

Just an FYI, the affordable SRAM Apex battery costs more than a brand new mechanical derailleur. And if you want to replace the affordable SRAM derailleur, it's around $200. It's extremely affordable and amazing technology you never needed. I also know people who lost a battery during their ride, because the tab that holds the battery are shit. Meanwhile I don't know anyone who has ever had cable snap during their ride, not one. I hate comparison to cars, because bicycle industry reliability and QC is absolute rubbish, it's not even close to the reliability of systems on a car.

[@zituado]

@@zypang1447 Thanks for pointing this out. I'm looking at the new Checkpoint ALR 5 AXS and it's good to know those things about battery cost.

[@edmondwong5678]

I've put my SRAM GX mountain bike through a lot... Mud, dust, gravel, water - the drive train has been fantastic. I just put on a new chain and it shifts crisply and precisely. Can't see why it wouldn't translate well to gravel. A setup with 40t in front with a 10-52 in the rear for an affordable price? What's there not to like?

[@bobpearce4014]

I love my SRAM Rival 1X setup! I will be looking to upgrade to Rival electronic!

[@mpicanza4491]

Awesome video Ben. Great coverage and explanation. Best on KZbin.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Wow, thanks!

[@chyuanEX]

Barry brings a smile to my face on the AXS weight-in.

[@Nicoya]

I think there's two kind of exciting changes here. 1: This seems to be the first time that SRAM has officially embraced the mullet setup with a series-branded 52t derailleur for road/gravel, rather than being GX or XX1 or whatever. 2: I believe this is SRAM's only mechanical 12 speed road/gravel group, whereas every other 12s road/gravel offering they had was electronic-only, with mechanical stuck in 11s land. Those two points also combine to give us a mechanical mullet option, which also was not previously available. I'm not sure I would have gone for the Apex level kit when I built my gravel bike last summer, but having a mechanical option rather than being forced to go electronic would have been nice.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

I'm pretty OK with electric, but I want more cable actuated groups. Haven't felt these hoods yet but I've yet to feel hydraulic hoods that I like.

[@stbny4444]

are there any manufactueres yet with apex eagle yet? All i can find are the X0 or XX1 groups which are way too much money. Really want the affordable option for a mullet setup

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@stbny4444 my Apex XPLR derailleur on my Canyon Grizl will clear a 52t cog. It depends on your hanger though. I mostly run my 9-46 e*thirteen cassette though

[@tjohnson200]

Very cool. I am looking forward to seeing this on some more budget friendly gravel bikes.

[@fredrichards3998]

Such solid content as always Ben👏

[@alanhill7965]

Excellent informative and entertaining video showing the best content on KZbin also with a lovely dog

[@ales_krejci]

As a very satisfied user or original Apex1 with 11-46 cassete I can definitelly imagine this with 10-50 cassette on my next gravel bike.

[@MW-ud8zp]

Does the Apex 1 work with 11-46 out of the box or did you have to use a hanger extender?

[@ales_krejci]

@@MW-ud8zp The long cage version works fine even without the hanger. Just with 118 chain even with 44t chainring.

[@iecrime]

Good review. I'm habituated to shimano, but did have sram apex mech on an "arb" for about a year, until I sold that bike. Performed better than I expected.

[@gabrielmejias6094]

Great video, thanks for the detailed explanation

[@AndrewGustyn]

Confirmed by SRAM, the Apex shifters will work with a 2x systems in Rival, Force and Red. I'm generally not a fan of SRAM from experiences with their earlier mechanical systems, but I have to admit that SRAM is really taking the lead on developments, and is taking it to Shimano in a big way. The developments on the MTB side make SRAM the leaders there. I'm still a Shimano fanboy, but will likely be equipping a road or gravel bike with SRAM in the future, I don't think we've had as many options as we do now.

[@gromitj]

Currently running Apex on one bike and 105 on the other. These things will often come down to personal preference, but I way prefer the shifting and the hoods on the Apex. Appreciating they're for different things but still.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

SRAMs mechanical shortcomings were largely all fixed by using a Shimano front derailleur. I've been doing that for over 250,000 miles

[@DannysMyNanny]

If anything this should be celebrated as hopefully Shimano will follow suite with even.more affordable groupsets

[@AndrewGustyn]

@@veganpotterthevegan I did the same thing on the two SRAM Equipped bikes I own. The TT bike works identically to my Shimano Mechanical Systems, my Cross bike though, the 10 Speed SRAM Shifters are just not up to the task. Double Tap is novel, but I find it challenging to get precise upshifts, and as someone with smaller hands, I find it challenging to get the bike to shift into the big ring. Electronic addresses that. Nice to see more and more options.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@Andrew Gustyn the long arm front derailleurs worked really well, even with the added challenge of the oval chainrings I use. Chainring quality in general is a huge factor for any front shifting anyway. With SRAM rings, only Red rings had good ramping but not with a Red FD. It's most definitely finicky to dial since the pull ratio isn't the same and I always had better luck(working as a mechanic for customers and not just with my oval rings) setting the FD higher than I would on a fully shimano system

[@tonysanford7540]

Excellent review, thanks!

[@jeffreyastjohn]

Thanks for the Perc discount. Picked up some beans + bidons!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Great!

[@youling1997]

2:53 Hope you had the pads spacer in lol

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Doh!

[@jmscheel]

Very thorough overview. Thanks Ben.

[@MTBryanH]

Oh and another advantage of disk brakes that no one talks about: Using the through axle greatly stiffens the fork. I love that benefit.

[@dingle9897]

Great review and neat to get all the details, Simple factor for me is price, can't afford wireless 🤷‍♂️

[@MTBryanH]

Love your videos. Your list of electronic shifting failures is like 10 times as long as my mech shifting failures over many decades. Ha! I'm still intreaged though.

[@pulser955]

So your saying there is now a drop bar mechanical group that will work with a mountain rear derailleur.

[@aliancemd]

I would probably buy a Force chain - should help with that shifting noise. I initially got scared with the prices, when checking SRAM's website but it seems that you can find SRAM components for more reasonable prices with the actual dealers.

[@bunnyadrian]

This is very coo. However, I just bought a very expensive freehub body to use both of my wheelsets with 1w speed AXS, So I'm very annoyed that I could have just bought a cassette and continued to use my existing HG freehub body. Still, that's just part of technological pregression and life goes on.

[@robertsonfamilyfarm9126]

Sram did it again Wow , they released a new group almost a week after you spotted 1x12 GRX Shimano at unbound in testing, I hope they continue making mechanical shifting , it works great and not everyone rides every day in my family and keeping up on tire pressure is hard enough !

[@downundermtb4744]

I have the 11 speed Apex setup on my Diverge and recently changed out the wheels for carbon and purchased an ethirteen cassette with the upgrade.I was spinning out before,not now..I think I’m more confused more then ever with the increased choice of change.. I love single ring gears ,deep down I know 2x is more efficient.I’m simply going to ride my bike for now . 🤔

[@wescheslak9408]

This is excellent. Exciting and Awesome.

[@neil78]

Love trickle-down tech. I've been a mechanical guy both with shifting and braking but I think I've finally been converted mentally. The Seigla here caught my eye. I was just looking at a possible upgrade to this rigid Seigla in white albeit with the Force spec as it seems like one of the best bangs for the buck by far for what you get included. I just wish SRAM had a slightly wider cassette option than the 10-44 to make me not second guess going from a 2x.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

You can get the Eagle drivetrain version with a 50- or 52-tooth big cog. But then you've got bigger jumps than the 10-44, of course. I like the Seigla.

[@neil78]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Oh, awesome I didn't realize you could swap out the 10-50 without modifications to the cage on the rival/force AXS. I think optimal for me to make this all road might be 2 sets of wheels, one with a 40-45mm with the 10-50T and one with 35-38mm with a 10-36T / 10-44T for more road use. Glad the Seigla has the Ride seal of approval.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

@@neil78 I misunderstood. You do have to have an Eagle derailleur to use with the big Eagle cassette - and an Eagle chain instead of the Flattop chain.

[@caterpillareyebrowz]

@TheRidewithBenDelaney I love that white Seigla! I've been spending way too much time shopping for a gravel bike and it's definitely one of my top choices. any experience using the e-thirteen 9-45 gravel cassette? Looks like it would match the range of a 2x GRX set up.

[@dominickregan2766]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Great Video thanks, I don't think Lauf @LaufCycling allows modifications so you can't order a new Seglia with the Eagle derailleur , so to get Eagle 10-50/52, you'd have to order separate Eagle derailleur and new Cassette. Grizl @CanyonBikes does have GX option either. Hopefully some manufacturers will offer this in pre built options soon.

[@Adam-wl3vt]

I'm considering the exact Seigla you have there. Would you opt for the wireless apex over the 11spd, wired Rival? Or should you spend the extra coin for the Rival Wireless?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I like wireless AXS, both for the shifting and the shape of the levers. Lots more options for compatibility/upgrades with 12spd AXS, too.

[@Adam-wl3vt]

And the weight penalty seems to be almost nothing on the Seigla. Just wasn’t sure if it was worth going down a tier for wireless and 12spd. But that makes sense. Thank you.

[@Adam-wl3vt]

Sold. I found out that it's compatible with all the other Sram wireless 12spds.@@TheRidewithBenDelaney

[@zypang1447]

Amazing how a groupset that costs the same cost of all my prior bikes combined until recently is considered affordable. And I'm blown away how cheap is in the same sentence with $2000. When most of us are more concerned with our grocery build is launching at $1000 a month.

[@brandonhoffman4712]

I saw a bike with rival axs, but then a sunrace casette with an 11 tooth low cog. My thought was why not just go apex? Then i thought about the in-store experience. Where you see rival on everything but cassettes never have branding easy to see. Its sad because thats an expensive fix to save a few bucks on the sticker price.

[@user-rr6jr4qr6s]

excellent review! :)

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thank you.

[@nh64uk78]

If you upgraded from 40T to 44T would you need to purchase a new chain due to the increased length?

[@ojh666]

Any advice out there on deciding between 1x vs 2x on say a Canyon Grizl for a relatively new gravel rider? Heard a couple times its absolutely fine but then had 1-2 comments about running out of gears when back on the road for example...I'm in it for general fitness not for break neck speeds so does this sound like 1x will be fine?!

[@sccxvelo]

Can axs apex do 2x? As my disc brake bike doesn’t have fd cable routing guides. Looking forward to the new apex and using 12 speed cassette on the hg freehub. Will make life easier not worrying about special freehubs. Just started using mechanical disc brakes this year and liking it on a barely used CX demo bike sitting storage a few years from a team friend. All my bikes are CX bikes used for general use if needed not just racing. The disc CX bike has taken over that everyday role. Would avoid long or steeper downhills on the canti brakes as they would hit a point and stopping working. Plus the tire clearance concerns when local adobe mud happens.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

All the new Apex is 1x, AXS and mechanical. Funny how much of a difference it is to go back to cantis, right? I used to joke that cross (canti) brakes weren't there to stop you so much as to warn the rider in front of you that you were about to rear end them.

[@alexmurdock9101]

There are now no Sram road groups with cable pull brakes, kind of a bummer.

[@erickozokas]

Awesome in depth comparison. I just found your channel. I was waiting for the mechanical version but you might have sold me on the electronic one. My only concern is water. In PA we have a lot of water crossing and rain. How much water can you realistically ride through before it fails?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks. In my experience, water doesn’t cause issues *except* when the derailleurs are completely submerged because the wireless signal won’t go through. So you can’t shift midstream, so to speak. But I haven’t experienced any water-caused failures with SRAM, knock on wood.

[@cakeEATER17]

Where’s the lauf suspension? Just saw you riding that in a different video!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

That bike was returned like all the test bikes I borrow.

[@vilavg3657]

Which bikes fall in that 2000-2500$ would you recommend with this new tech?

[@bengt_axle]

From what I understand, the spacing between the cogs and the external dimensions of the chains for 11 and 12 speeds is the same across brands (Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM) (but not necessarily the same for 11 and 12 speed). Is it possible to use a SRAM derailleur and paddles to shift a Campagnolo chain and cassette? I imagine the chain rings pose no problems.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

They all work fine from brand to brand so long as it's all 11sp or all 12sp, despite the SRAM rollers being a bit bigger on their flat top chain, they work quite well with other cassettes and visa versa. We'll see how everyone deals with 13speed though.

[@davidtipping7731]

Thanks Ben, love the content mate. Out of interest, what brand is that out front Garmin mount? Zipp matching the stem, or some kind of third party brand? Cheers and enjoy the ride!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Cheers, David. That is a Zipp mount - just an alternate stem face plate. I think it is super clean.

[@atlswell]

Which size Seigla are you riding? I'm 6'3 and curious on desired size. I know sizing is a bit particular on this bike.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

6 and Medium. Kinda between sizes.

[@stbny4444]

All i need to know is who's selling a bike with an apex eagle derailure with a 52 tooth electronic. This is the setup I'm after. Will be affordable and awesome. Can't find any bikes with this setup.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I’ll ask SRAM.

[@MW-ud8zp]

If my Apex 1 ever dies I will probably purchase the 12s mechanical Eagle variant of this.

[@glennoc8585]

I'd definitely consider it for my gravel bike. Its definitely not forth tier like say tiagra is its more say grx to 105

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Yeah, it is definitely worlds above Tiagra. But it IS the fourth in SRAM’s line.

[@GHinWI]

is there a left mechanical lever that’ll run a dropper post?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Good question. I don't know. I'll ask.

[@duncanholman9034]

Hey I just bought the same Lauf Siegla rigid in size M. Considering swapping for a small but worried the drop in stack isn't worth the gain in reach! I'm 5'10.5 and feeling too stretched out on the M. How are you liking the sizing of that sucker?

[@neil78]

Are you a relatively proportionate 5' 10.5"? I'm the same height and was looking at the M as it seems to fall well within it's range.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I'm 6' and it fits fine. I could maybe go a cm longer in the stem. Could you shorten your stem up a bit?

[@duncanholman9034]

@@neil78 yeah I think the issue is I’m new to road bike geo and drop bars!!! MyVeloFit shows all angles are well within range of a comfort bias position

[@neil78]

@@duncanholman9034 you're right that could be it coming from flat bars and a more upright riding style. Hope it works out, might just be a little time to adjust.

[@reynolds8532]

I'm closer to 5-9 and ride the medium. Fit perfect out of the box. The only reason I would consider the small is if I road a lot of aggressive trail... Which I don't (on this bike).

[@m.talley1660]

Yeah, lower prices. Worth noting Shimano cable systems of recent 11sp gens introduced a design that leads to far faster cable failures. This never was and has remained a non-issue for SRAM doubletap cable life. So less worry there. Score a big plus for SRAM. Progress means both brands will capture more of us into the electronic world but I'm glad to see an update to cable product too.

[@jasonwu9287]

Just curious, what was the Shimano design change you're referring to?

[@m.talley1660]

​@@jasonwu9287 This comes from my personal observations and is also widely acknowledged/discussed online. Cable heads fray and fail with more frequency since Shimano's routing went internal (more-so with 11-sp). There are discussions of failures at the cable head with the stated solution being change your cables more frequently (I've seen 1,500 and 2,000 miles). This wasn't the case with earlier Shimano STI's. Frustration is directed at Shimano with hashtag #Thanks Shimano (additionally there is the crank failure issue). Call it a feature or a bug - If one is a long time Shimano user and compares past-to-present experiences and/or the lack of this problem using SRAM shifters of all generations - it can be a sore issue. With the focus on electronic shifting designs I wouldn't hold my breath on a future of a better cable-durability experience coming from Shimano. (I could be wrong, we'll see. A prototype 12-sp GRX mechanical was spotted at "UNBOUND Gravel")

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Who saw the 12spd GRX mechanical? ;-)

[@m.talley1660]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney It was you sir. Have you forgotten? 🙃kzbin.info/www/bejne/inqlfYerotirh68

[@alexmurdock9101]

The 10t cassettes are for the XDR driver whereas the 11t are for Shimano drivers, which you failed to mention.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Yeah, I guess I just called them '11spd wheels' and what you said is more accurate. Thanks.

[@mokotramp]

Great review! I have SRAM Force 11 mechanical, in all my years of riding it's probably the worst I've ever used! Build quality on the shifters is shocking, and the bleed procedure is just plain stupid! 🤦🏻‍♂️ Shimano needs to seriously up their game! I so wish my SRAM junk shifted like my R8000, though!

[@rudyelizondo1935]

Good vid Bro, I’m just a Shimano kind of guy, this old dog can’t learn new tricks 😅

[@michaelcawley7400]

As a mechanic all I could have asked for was bleeding edge

[@notpablo8369]

Wished Lauf didnt phased out their True Grit/Anywhere bikes😩😩😩

[@ellerybice3787]

If something is in existence, and I want it, then I need it. If something is not in existence, and I can form it into existence, and then you may want, but may or may not need what I now have. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@darrelduke]

killer development for sram (the best true wireless group)! we just need shorter reach levers, those things are looong.

[@thedownunderverse]

Are they longer than shimano 12sp di2?

[@terrillford7784]

Ben, you prefer 1x or 2x for gravel?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I really dig Di2 2x. I live next to the mountains so I like having both a lot of range and a lot of small steps between gears. My general advice is Shimano for 2x and SRAM for 1x.

[@terrillford7784]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney I like it

[@terrillford7784]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney no wonder you climb like a goat

[@neiljeffries6497]

What frame is that

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Lauf Seigla Rigid

[@bruceh5933]

I came to this video with a Canyon Grizl in my cart, just wanted to check the Apex review out. Thought this was an amazing looking bike, found this comment and then went down the rabbit hole. Ordered a Seigle, I name dropped you Ben when I ordered because without your video I’d have a Canyon showing up next week.

[@volition5559]

the analogy of a hand crank window vs electric is actually very pertinent. My first car was semi-nice and had electronic bits and bobs all over the place- including said electronic windows. However, after just 5-6 years of moderate use, all of said systems started to wear and fail. electric motors became slower and it wasn't just things that were somewhat auxiliary. The key fob I needed to use to start the car had an electric motor that allowed the key to pop in and out of the slot before pushing to start. the windows as well. The cost of replacement? massive. expensive. arduous for mechanics. This is the cost of electrifying largely unnecessary bits. Sure, they are making them more approachable in initial cost, but that's largely due to demand and actually less complex manufacturing cost that will only continue to buff up their margins as more make this unnecessary switch. The cost? tons of used batteries and electronic systems that become part of the consumer cycle that is destroying the planet. Planned obsolescence. So, I'd say the stakes here are a little higher than you're suggesting. Yeah, we all have electric devices that will pollute the earth when they've run their course, but should we be adding to that with all this? I've got a bar end friction shifter in 11 speed and it works fine for me.

[@Runningonmymindblog]

People said the same about disc brakes.. I mean, by all means we can still ride penny farthings but hard to deny the benefits. Had etap Red forever and not a single issue, it simply works.

[@volition5559]

@@Runningonmymindblog it's like you can't read. Also pennyfarthings are impractical compared to modern bikes,- the evolution to what we ride today is a genuine innovation. I'm talking about the widescale implications of electrification. Everything has a cost, but the cost of needless electronics is high to the environment. Congrats on your eTap. It's unnecessary.

[@Runningonmymindblog]

@volition5559 the best things are generally unnecessary, but I don't live in a tent either 🤷‍♂️

[@volition5559]

@@Runningonmymindblog again, another wildly inappropriate comparison. It's not black and white. But sure, continue to be hyperbolic.

[@Runningonmymindblog]

@volition5559 black and white is, mechanical sucks in performance and maintenance compared to electronic. No one who has both will disagree.

[@f1hotrod527]

Hydraulic disk brakes I have been convinced of since I first drove a sports bike (motorcycle), and you stand the bike right on its front tire with 2 fingers on the brake. And you have complete feel and control. I am new to higher end bikes and it is pretty much the same. I thought electronic shifting was not a big deal. Then I got a Stumpjumper Evo expert with AXS last year. Yup, no going back from that either. Now when shopping for a gravel bike, I need AXS. It sucks, I love the radioactive red paint on checkpoint SL5. But it has mechanical 2x. SL6 has the 1x AXS but I don’t like the color as much.

[@f1hotrod527]

And 1 more thing. In frame storage. Seems gimmicky until you use it.

[@deeric7115]

Nice. although I don't get why you pronounce it SHRAM....

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

ShhhhhhhhhhhhRAM. I talk funny, I guess.

[@SergioCristancho]

Not a fan of SRAM not a fan of 1 by not a fan of electronics in gearing... BUT ... TELL ME MORE , for this price range or less sounds like a tempting business

[@mikem7618]

What’s the bike?

[@kbd13-n9c]

Don’t love the “affordable” tagline because that is relative - and I have AXS on one bike.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

For sure it is relative. Headlines are tricky. But having electronic shifting/hydraulic braking on a $2,500 bike is noteworthy. (And for the record, I bought a Toyota for $2,000 this year… 😁)

[@pandatactical4530]

LAUF!

[@twillyspanksyourcakes]

How much did sram pay this dude? 😆

[@jaredfontaine2002]

Excuse me? You forgot Campy... getting triggered!!

[@dainiusvysniauskas2049]

Why would anyone talk about crapagnolo, lol

[@jaredfontaine2002]

@@dainiusvysniauskas2049 go ride on your cracked Shimano crank

[@dainiusvysniauskas2049]

@@jaredfontaine2002Bold of you to assume I have a shitmano crank

[@jaredfontaine2002]

@@dainiusvysniauskas2049 It is on 90% of bikes sold

[@swray2112]

I've been buying up spare parts, cause I'll never go to electric shifting. I see no reason that something that has been working well for 100+ years needs to be updated to something you have to charge. Possibly I'm just jaded, but I think it's a cash grab from the manufacturers, propriety components which also makes it harder to mix & match and lock you into a system. Ignoring R&D, I guarantee it costs less to manufacture than mechanical systems. Reminds me of how CDs cost almost 1/2 what cassettes did to make, but came in at almost twice the price, and most importantly never really came back down after economies of scale should have lowered the price. BUT maybe I'm just too old, as I still friction shift my front derailleur, really miss manual transmissions on affordable cars (& trucks!!), wish both my vehicles had manually controlled windows and was completely distracted by your flat brimmed hat;-).

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I'll wear a Sherlock Holmes double-brimmed hat next time. Or maybe an Abe Lincoln stovepipe. ;-)

[@JulianKent]

SRAM got a patent for a dynamo in the derailleur pulley wheels. This would mean no more charging if they ever actually produce it, and it wasn't just to block competition.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

@@JulianKent Interesting!

[@bindingcurve]

"I really miss manual transmissions on affordable cars (& trucks!!)" OK, but the issue is there is ZERO market for them. If people would buy them, they would be made

[@swray2112]

@@bindingcurve I respectfully disagree. Just google 'cars with manual transmissions' and you'll find article after article of those keeping up with the last holdouts & they are fetching much more than their automatic counterparts. Even really cheap cars like the Nissan Versa, their sticks flew off the shelves when it was announced they were going totally automatic. Just like stripped down work trucks, manufacturers decided that streamlining production was more important than customer wants.

[@Stevehatesgravel]

Grovel bikes (intended) one of the most useless bikes ever made crap off road and crap on it

[@Stevehatesgravel]

I call them grovel bikes crap off road and crap on road

[@Marco-717]

Sram moved from eagle to the Transmission, so it's only right they make apex wireless affordable. I notice only Canyon offers affordable bikes and they come with some of the best components

[@1980bundy]

I have watched several vids looking for a bit of info. I would like to know your real opinion. Apex or Rival?🙄

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

What do you mean my real opinion? That's all I ever put into these videos. Rival is nicer and lighter, Apex is cheaper.

[@1980bundy]

@TheRidewithBenDelaney I mean, if you were to buy one of the 2, which would it be? I know that you always give the best pros and cons of everything. That's why I've been following you for a long time, and your reviews always carry weight. Keep making great videos like always! Thanks!👍🏼