Apex is the only brifter group I have owned so far. I'm getting ready to install 5700 105 on another bike so that will be my intro to riding Shimano. I've had no real issues with Apex but I feel like shifting could be a tad smoother some times. I have the compact with 32 cog but that's not make or brake on the next bike/group I get. I do a decent amount of climbing but I've started to outgrow the need for the really low gears