Jake Latham
Last year SRAM brought out the Rival 1 and Force 1 single chainring range that was found to be particularly useful for the cyclocross discipline after proving the capabilities of 1x chainrings in the mountain bike scene, but SRAM have made the 1x single chainring accessible for drop bar and flat bar road bikes with the new Apex 1.
The Apex 1 is a MY17 partial groupset that features some of SRAM’s best innovations at an affordable price.
The Apex 1 drivetrain offers crisp shifting thanks to the rear derailleur’s X-Horizon geometry which limits horizontal movement and the Roller Bearing Clutch system that reduces chain-slap and has been appropriated from their mountain bike range and priced at $123.33. The rear derailleur accommodates an 11-speed SRAM Powerglide cassette with a wide 11-42 gear range which will cost $131.67.
There are four X-Sync square-tooth profile cranks to choose from giving riders the ability to personalise their gear range. The chain rings come in 38, 40, 42 and 44t ring options with three crank lengths for GXP ($193.33) and BB30 ($251.67) systems make the groupset very versatile for most frames and riding styles.
The Hydro R hydraulic disc brakes offer reliable stopping power with flat-mount two-piston calipers and the compatibility of 140mm or 160mm rotors. Mated with the Hydro R brake lever is SRAM’s Doubletap shift lever for the drop bar range at $331.67 for the left and $415 for the right lever. These prices are the same for the flat bar option and include the direct mount hardware but the rotor and bracket are sold separately.
SRAM said the Apex 1 will not suit every road rider’s needs but is a low-cost alternative for a smooth and simplistic drivetrain aimed at the mid-range price market.
The Apex 1 groupset will be available in Australia from June 2016.
