Apex Shifters are NOT software locked to 1x systems.
Had a question today about Apex shifters being ‘locked’ to 1x systems only, as they’re originally designed for the XPLR system & not 2x.
So one hot cup of coffee and one quick pairing session proved this theory to be false.
In order to ‘see’ the FD option on the AXS app, you must first pair the FD to the system. Then assign the combination action L+R to the FD and you’re all set. In other words, pair the system like normal.
I tested sequential shifting & everything works properly.
NOTE: this was a bench test between multiple bikes as we’re a Sram koolaid drinking family & everyone has AXS. This was not a test to see if 2x XPLR works in practice, but just to prove the theory of if Apex shifters can support a FD & 2x.
by Bike-Fish
9 Comments
thank you for your effort!
Good to know, I saw the previous thread and was hoping for a real answer after seeing the silly comments.
You’re welcome. Happy to help dispel hearsay.
May take this a step further & throw the 44t cassette & XPLR RD on the MOG and see if the 46/33 upfront is happy.
This is great news. I hope sram updates their support site.
They are just Rival shifters with stamped brake levers. I am a software engineer and I can’t see why SRAM would have gone through the trouble of implementing some sort of software lockout. That would mean firmware changes specific to apex, and who wants to go through the trouble. Apex is sold as 1x only just because they decided against a carrying a couple of more SKUs in the form of a 2x Apex branded RD and FD.
I’m currently running a XPLR rear derailleur with the Garbaruk cage on a 2x bike with no issues. Shifts smoothly in both big and small ring.
I have the Force XPLR rear derailleur, and 10-44t cassette paired with the Force front derailleur and 43/30 crankset. I put it through a hellish ride (mud, sand, and water) and the shifting is surprisingly good. I posted about it a few weeks ago on here.
This is what I would have suspected, since the other shifter could be programmed to operate a dropper (just like Rival, Force, and Red AXS can with a 1x setup), it means the ability to connect to AXS devices was left intact. It would require much more work for SRAM to make it not connect to a front derailer then to just leave it alone at that point.
Anyone tried to smaller cassette with XPLR RD?
is shift good or bad?