SRAM Apex

[MelC]

Bought a Specialized Ruby Apex and took it out for its first spin today. When I researched the shifters I was encouraged by the description that they were easier for women's hands etc. and also liked the idea that they could be pulled in closer to the bar to make reach easier. All these things seemed like good ideas for a woman's bike. About halfway through my ride I got stuck in a gear and the derailleur stopped responding. My friend had coincidentally just bought he same bike so she got on and it shifted fine for her. After struggling again after we started up again it dawned on me what the problem was.

I had picked the shifters based on an image of femininity and forgotten to factor in that I actually have completely abnormal freakshow strong grip strength. My hands are not feminine and my poor little bike was protesting my manhandling of the shifters. Once I mentally adjusted to "don't crush the butterfly strength" it was all good. Funny moment though.

[kelleil]

I have to manhandle my front derailleur for reals.

[Owlie]

I'm not sure there's a shifting system out there in which the left shifter does not require manhandling.

I had to do some tweaking with my front derailleur when I first got the CX bike (like, the day after I built it and brought it home, no riding it). But I haven't had issues with it since then. Hm.

[Crankin]

I don't have to manhandle my front derailleur on either of my bikes (Ultegra).
Something is wrong if that's how you feel.

[Owlie]

I don't have to manhandle my front derailleur on either of my bikes (Ultegra).
Something is wrong if that's how you feel.

Haha, I should be more specific. I have a hard time shifting into the big ring with either bike (Apex on the CX, low-end Shimano on the road bike). I have smaller hands and short fingers, so the long throw, even if everything's adjusted, is hard. I had an easier time shifting with 105 (still a fairly long throw), so it may well be that the entry-level stuff is more...ah, temperamental.

[zoom-zoom]

Haha, I should be more specific. I have a hard time shifting into the big ring with either bike (Apex on the CX, low-end Shimano on the road bike). I have smaller hands and short fingers, so the long throw, even if everything's adjusted, is hard. I had an easier time shifting with 105 (still a fairly long throw), so it may well be that the entry-level stuff is more...ah, temperamental.

The only bike I've owned that didn't give me a hard time moving up to a bigger front ring is my mtn. bike with a Shimano triple -- it has a really light touch in every respect. Road, mtn, and CX bikes with X5/X7, 105, Apex, and Rival have all been a challenge because I have shortish, girly fingers and hands. This stuff is not designed for us, unfortunately. Now that I have a weakened right hand and wrist after my wrist fracture I find that my SRAM stuff is a bit difficult to operate on that side, too...even though it was no issue pre-injury. I definitely see the appeal of Di2.

[Crankin]

I *did* have trouble shifting to the big ring (triple) on my first road bike. Crappy, probably Tiagra, components. My second bike had Ultegra, but the big ring (triple) still was an issue. DH put a Dura Ace front derailleur on it and that solved it. I have average sized hands and long fingers. I do have a short reach, though, more my arm length than hands.
I have the R700 short reach Ultegra brifters on my Kuota and combined with a short/shallow drop bar, it's awesome. In fact, some would think my position is scrunched, but it gives me confidence. Unfortunately, when I did my custom Guru build 1.5 years ago, the R700 brifters now are 105s, which in and of itself is OK, but they lengthened the reach by 2mm and I cannot reach the brakes as well when I am in the drops on this bike. I also have a different bar, which is also impacting it.
Another thing is that my DH keeps everything tuned to perfection; there have been times when friends have taken their bikes to a shop and the issue of shifting to the big ring was not solved. DH was able to fix this, quickly, on the road a few times.
The moral of the story is get a good mechanic and do some research about stuff for short reach/small hands. I did my own research, my LBS poo-pooed me, but I have been so much happier since I got the bar I have now than when I had the 300.00 carbon bar that they thought was cool.

[Hi Ho Silver]

I have a Specialized Ruby Compact with SRAM Apex gearing. I found that the SRAM cables initially 'stretched' quite a bit and needed adjustment. Once that the 'break-in' was completed, I adjusted the derailleurs and shifting has been fine ever since.

If you are having trouble shifting to the big ring, it may be because the 'throw' of the shifter paddle requires you to rotate your wrist too far inward (relative to your forearm). Try moving the front shifter assembly outward so that the end point of the 'throw' is more inline with your forearm.

[zoom-zoom]

If you are having trouble shifting to the big ring, it may be because the 'throw' of the shifter paddle requires you to rotate your wrist too far inward (relative to your forearm). Try moving the front shifter assembly outward so that the end point of the 'throw' is more inline with your forearm.

That is really good advice, too. I've found that playing with the positioning of the mechanical stuff on the handlebars can really make a world of difference.

[TigerMom]

I have a Specialized Ruby Compact with SRAM Apex gearing. I found that the SRAM cables initially 'stretched' quite a bit and needed adjustment. Once that the 'break-in' was completed, I adjusted the derailleurs and shifting has been fine ever since.

If you are having trouble shifting to the big ring, it may be because the 'throw' of the shifter paddle requires you to rotate your wrist too far inward (relative to your forearm). Try moving the front shifter assembly outward so that the end point of the 'throw' is more inline with your forearm.

Great idea if I ever decide on SRAM! I tried my friend's SRAM Rival and I HATED it because I felt that I had to rotate my wrist inward too much in order to shift gears on to the big front ring. I am totally a Shimano lover at this time. I have yet to try Campy.

[Owlie]

I have a Specialized Ruby Compact with SRAM Apex gearing. I found that the SRAM cables initially 'stretched' quite a bit and needed adjustment. Once that the 'break-in' was completed, I adjusted the derailleurs and shifting has been fine ever since.

If you are having trouble shifting to the big ring, it may be because the 'throw' of the shifter paddle requires you to rotate your wrist too far inward (relative to your forearm). Try moving the front shifter assembly outward so that the end point of the 'throw' is more inline with your forearm.

Interesting. Mine might need a nudge, then. I'll have to wait until I need to replace the bar tape, though--some genius at Charge decided to glue the bar tape down!