Not content with three 12-speed electronically controlled drivetrain options, SRAM has introduced the Apex AXS, which sits below the Red AXS, Force AXS, and Rival AXS groupset.

One-by-only (1x) and available in XPLR wide range configurations of 10-36t, 10-44t, and 11-44t cassettes; cassettes starting with 10 teeth require XDR freehubs, while 11-44t cassettes fit standard 11-speed freehubs and are wheel compatibility.

There is also a new Apex Eagle AXS option that uses 10-50t, 11-50t, and 10-52t cassettes for a truly wide gear range.

Along with the electronic drivetrain, a 12-speed mechanical Apex XPLR and Apex Eagle groupset with SRAM's usual double-tap shift logic was also launched.

The Apex XPLR AXS mirrors much of the technology of the Rival 1 AXS single-ring groupset, but at a lower price point.

The Apex XPLR AXS groupset uses the same removable battery mounted on the derailleur as SRAM's other electronic groupset, and can be reconfigured using the AXS smartphone app. Like the rival AXS groupset, the rear derailleur uses a spring clutch to keep the chain in place.

The Apex AXS levers, like the Rival AXS and the latest 2nd generation Force AXS, feature a ribbed design on the hood and levers and a reach adjustment system. As expected, the APEX XPLR AXS groupset is only available with hydraulic disc brakes. As you might expect, there is also a new Apex-spec flat-top chain.

SRAM can combine up to three sets of wireless Blips satellite shifters with the Apex AXS levers for additional shifting positions, such as on the drop or handlebars.

All 12-speed Apex configurations use 1x direct-mount single chainring crankset with a choice of 38, 40, 42, 44, or 46 teeth. Crank lengths are available in 165mm, 170mm, 172.5mm, and 175mm.

This crankset features wide spacing, which shifts the chainline 2.5 mm outboard compared to standard road bike chainsets. This allows the use of wider gravel bike tires, boost rear axle spacings, and regular 142mm or 135mm road/gravel axles. The longer spindles also allow the Apex crankset to accommodate MTB-width bottom bracket shells.

There is also an option for a single-sided power meter with a left crank base. It runs on a single AAA battery and, according to SRAM, adds only 40 g to the weight of a standard crank arm.

At the same time, SRAM announced a 12-speed mechanical option for the Apex. This is the company's first 12-speed mechanical shift groupset for road bikes.

It is compatible with 10-44t and 11-44t cassettes and incorporates SRAM's Double Tap Shift on the right lever. As with the electronic options, it has reach-adjust and hydraulic disc brakes, and uses the same Apex flat-top chain as the mechanical clutch.

Eagle is the name given to SRAM's 12-speed mountain bike groupset, which uses 10-50t, 11-50t, or 10-52t cassettes for a wider gear range. Since its launch, the company has promoted the Red, Force, and Rival AXS groupset with mallet construction with MTB Eagle derailleurs and cassettes as an ultra-wide-range option for gravel bikes.

And now SRAM has transferred Eagle technology to road bikes with the introduction of the Apex Eagle AXS electronic and Apex Eagle mechanical groupset. [The Apex Eagle AXS and Apex Eagle mechanical are compatible with 50t or 52t maximum sprocket cassettes, as is the MTB Eagle groupset.

Somewhat awkwardly, the cassettes require the same Eagle 12-speed chains as SRAM's MTB Eagle groupset and cannot use the slightly wider flat-top 12-speed road chains. The cassette spacing is also the same as MTB and narrower than road cassettes, so a 1.85mm spacer is required behind the cassette to fit the XDR freehub.

The electronic Eagle rear derailleur is a crossover product designed to work with either the MTB AXS shifter or the Apex AXS shifter for road bikes. Named X1 Eagle AXS, it is compatible with gravel and mountain bike drivetrains. It comes with an overload clutch and is designed to protect against impacts.

The Apex Eagle mechanical rear derailleur and X1 Eagle AXS electronic derailleur feature the same roller clutch as the Apex XPLR rear mech to manage chain tension. It also features a cage lock to facilitate rear wheel removal.

SRAM did not limit the new Apex technology to just drop-bar bikes; the company also introduced a flat-bar hydraulic brake lever. Shifting is done with AXS flat bar shifters or, for mechanical group sets, 12-speed flat bar shifters or grip shift shifters.

For users, a fourth tier in SRAM's electronic groupset hierarchy will further expand options and bring electronic control and 12-speed shifting to more users, as SRAM has increased interchangeability with Apex's groupset for MTB, now offers a wider range of options for road and gravel use.

SRAM has always excelled at single-ring solutions for mountain and gravel bikes, and the new groupset also focuses on the latter. The new Apex uses this technology, and features such as standard compatibility with 11-speed freehubs and flat bar levers make it more appealing to road users.

Mechanical options also show that SRAM has not abandoned cable-type shifting for drop-bar bikes.

However, the price difference with electronic transmissions is not so great that 12-speed Apex mechanicals will not be available on budget bikes anytime soon. Also, because of the small price difference, more riders will prefer electronic transmissions, even if mechanical transmissions are slightly lighter.