Im considering the Canyon Grail CF 8 1by with GRX 822 groupset vs Cannondale Topstone Carbon with SRAM Apex AXS. Same price on both bikes. Use will be daily commuting and light trail tours during weekends. In fine with both 42 and 45mm clearance so biggest difference are the groupsets i believe? Im thinking GRX 822 is higher quality than Apex while not electrical. I prefer reliability and longevity. Help me choose the best bike. Thanks!
https://www.cannondale.com/en/bikes/road/gravel/topstone-carbon/topstone-carbon-apex-axs
by Nor_wice
2 Comments
I’d say Cannondale because I’d rather the local bike shop support and AXS. Just not a fan of those gimmicky suspension bits. A well designed frame and 45mm tires is all I want for suspension on my bike personally.
The thing about electronic derailleurs is that while the cages might be able to be replaced, if there’s anything actually wrong with the electric systems, then it’s very likely a replacement. (Ideally under warranty)
It would be pretty easy to replace it, just remove the chain and remove the derailleur. The new one just screws on and just needs to be paired.
I’d say that shift quality is at worst at the same level and at best better. I’m using an Apex derailleur but with a Force XPLR cassette and chain, no real reason other than the cassette was on sale and a bit of vanity.
There’s no cable stretch so unless the derailleur itself wears out, which I think is like way waaaaaaaaay into the future, it will always shift perfectly. I’ll just hope that the software is robust enough that there are no problems with that.
Upgrades are very easy as well if you want to go to the 13 speed models at some point and switching to a mullet setup with an Eagle derailleur is also very easy.
I’m firmly in the electronic side, however, I am aware that they’re a more expensive system. As an example, the Force cassette can’t be separated. If one cog wears out, I’d have to replace the whole thing. I don’t know if higher end Shimano cassettes can be separated. Lower end ones like the HG500 or even the SRAM XPLR with the 11T instead of the 10T can.
If you’re into bikepacking, another thing speaking in favor of electronic are that the force required to actuate the lever, or rather button is much less. In the summer, I still had my previous bike with the 120 speed Shimano GRX400 and by the end of the second day after 85km, my hands were numb enough that I couldn’t shift the big levers anymore. I needed to use two hands to do so, which obviously wasn’t ideal and at times pretty spicy.
I’ve had no such experience with the Apex. Hands still go numb after 50km or so, but I’m still able to press the buttons with the pinky no less.
Another thing related to that is, since there’s minimal lever throw, a handlebar bag is much less annoying to use. On the previous bike, the bag was in the way of the shifters. I’ve just tested the exact same setup yesterday and shifting is absolutely no issue. There’s also the option to use extra buttons on the Force and Red levers and SRAM actually sells external buttons that can go pretty much everywhere on the bike.
Many people say that for bike touring in remote places, they’d never use electronic because they are at least able to repair stuff and get replacements if needed but since this is just a speck of a possible future endeavor for me, I don’t really have that problem.