No I’m not making this up – but Alberto Contador not to mention some Astana riders and Cameron Meyer of Garmin Cervelo have all been swapping from SRAM Red to SRAM Apex rear derailleurs complete with 11-32 cassettes on the tougher climbing stages of the Giro.
That’s quite a marketing coup for SRAM – the fact that the leader of the Giro has swapped from the top of the range groupset (Red) to the entry level Apex version whilst dominating the Giro. It’s a great endorsement of the entire SRAM range that the pro’s can win on the entry level kit as well as the top of the line products.
SRAM released Apex as a recreational riders groupset that eliminated the need for a triple by being able to use an unusally large 32 tooth rear sprocket for climbing. Having the pro’s ride it in the the Giro can only help sales.
I was talking to a SRAM rep not long ago and he was really talking up Apex as a groupset – more coverage like this combined with a retail value of approximately £400 for a full Apex groupset if you shop around (see: http://www.fudgescyclestore.com/index.php?p=107020) has to make it a strong contender for your winter bike at the very least.
Thanks for reading
