Apex and Force compatability
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 519
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From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix - Soma Double Cross Disc - Pivot Mach 429SL - Canfield Brothers Yelli Screamy - Specialized Carve SL - Trek Farley 7 - GT Dyno VFR
Apex and Force compatability
I asked this in the bike mechanics section and got no response, so I'll try here too.
I have a Nashbar bike with Force components and I bought a 2011 Specialized Roubaix Elite with Apex today. I know the compact chain rings are interchangable so I plan on swapping the BB and crankset. The shifters are interchangable so I will do that too.
My question has to do with the RD. For the RD I know I need the longer cage for the 11/32 cassette, but can I just use the medium cage from the Apex RD and put it on the Force RD?
I have a Nashbar bike with Force components and I bought a 2011 Specialized Roubaix Elite with Apex today. I know the compact chain rings are interchangable so I plan on swapping the BB and crankset. The shifters are interchangable so I will do that too.
My question has to do with the RD. For the RD I know I need the longer cage for the 11/32 cassette, but can I just use the medium cage from the Apex RD and put it on the Force RD?
#2
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 519
Likes: 1
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix - Soma Double Cross Disc - Pivot Mach 429SL - Canfield Brothers Yelli Screamy - Specialized Carve SL - Trek Farley 7 - GT Dyno VFR
nothing? Not even a "you are an idiot to even think about this"
#3
pan y agua

Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Jacksonville
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
how about buy a Sram Force Wifli RD, and sell the regular Force RD?
Failing that, I bet you can take the longer cage from the APex and put it on the force, which is essentially what a Force Wifli RD appears to be.
Having never disassembled a Sram RD, Can't say for a fact it can be done, or how hard it is to do so.
I do know people have hacked Shimano rd's like this.
Failing that, I bet you can take the longer cage from the APex and put it on the force, which is essentially what a Force Wifli RD appears to be.
Having never disassembled a Sram RD, Can't say for a fact it can be done, or how hard it is to do so.
I do know people have hacked Shimano rd's like this.
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You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
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Last edited by merlinextraligh; 08-03-12 at 12:42 PM.
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 358
Likes: 7
Switch the whole Apex rear derailleur over, or buy the Force medium cage derailleur. Or buy a Rival med cage RD. Or an appropriate Sram mountain RD.
I can't imagine a scenario in which building a Frankenstein RD would be preferable to any of these options. If you want to stay Force for the bling factor, you could get at least very close to even money on swapping the RD out. Heck, you might even be able to make a few bucks on the swap if you're lucky.
I can't imagine a scenario in which building a Frankenstein RD would be preferable to any of these options. If you want to stay Force for the bling factor, you could get at least very close to even money on swapping the RD out. Heck, you might even be able to make a few bucks on the swap if you're lucky.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Denver, CO
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Crux, Schwinn Mesa
I am pretty sure that I read something on the SRAM website that said all SRAM parts are completely serviceable. I would take that as meaning completely able to be dissasembled and reassembled. So provided that the basic design of the rd's are the same and I am sure they are you should be able to do this. I can recall a thread were one bf member did this with a shimano rd so I am sure you would be able to do it with your SRAM ones.
That being said it may prove to be easier to just buy a rd that already meets your requirements than to run the risk of taking two working ones apart and possibly ruining one or both. Selling one or both off and then purchasing the proper one would be my first solution. But if if its more of acuriousity thing give it a go.
That being said it may prove to be easier to just buy a rd that already meets your requirements than to run the risk of taking two working ones apart and possibly ruining one or both. Selling one or both off and then purchasing the proper one would be my first solution. But if if its more of acuriousity thing give it a go.






