New Apex brings 12-speed and electronic shifting to the most affordable level yet

By Warren Rossiter

Published: Thursday, 15 June 2023 at 12:00 am


SRAM has brought electronic shifting down to the fourth tier of its road hierarchy, with a wireless option introduced to the all-new Apex groupset.

However, fans of shift cables rejoice – SRAM has also developed a new mechanical version of Apex.

Both the electronic and mechanical versions of the new SRAM Apex are 1x-only (there’s a single front chainring, with no front derailleur) and 12-speed. An additional sprocket is added to the cassette compared to the outgoing Apex drivetrain.

Two gearing options will be available, with XPLR (11-44t) and Eagle (11-52t) cassettes.

As a result, SRAM is aiming Apex squarely at gravel riding, bikepacking, cycle commuting and everything in between.

New SRAM Apex | What you need to know

  • 12-speed mechanical and electronic (AXS) options
  • 1x-only, with flat-bar and drop-bar variants
  • Wide-range XPLR (11-44t) and Eagle (11-52t) gearing options
  • HG-compatible cassettes
  • Optional power meter
  • Mechanical groupset from £1,035/$971/€1,149/AU$1,670
  • Electronic groupset from £1,262/$1,195/€1,411/AU$2,054
  • AXS complete groupset weights from 2,976g
  • Mechanical complete groupset weights from 2,872g