Running an Apex front mech (compact double with 11-32) – I would presume I could run it with a Ultegra/105 double?

Wouldn’t like to say.

Older (5600/6600/7800) Shimano front mechs are not compatible with newer (5700/6700/7900) shifters, and vice versa, as they changed the cable pull.

I’d not like to say which ones (if either) are SRAM compatible.

I know the pull ratios are diff for the rear mechs are diff so not compatible, but as for the front ….

LBS question I guess

Begs the question though… why?

Even if it can work, why would you not just use a Force/Rival if you want an upgrade?

I run the ultegra front mechs (6600 I think), with rival on my winter bike and red on both my race bikes, and it works fine for me.

As to why; I find the shift more positive on the shimano f mechs, and CRC were banging them out cheap a while ago so picked up 3. iirc sram road f mechs have had some critisim for being a bit sloppy (?) and it looks like this years sram red group has beefed up the front mech to sort.

Red has always been known to be crap! It’s why all the pro teams run Force!

New Red mech isn’t compatible with old Red shifters, so that’s another standard 🙄

Cheers Smell – just order a Ultegra SL – To answer why is the SRAM Apex Mech I have is crap! I have been adjusting it for months now to no avail – and I much prefer the build of the shimano mechs. BTW I am not a crap mechanic blaming the mech – Its a known issue on some Apex Mech if you read around – it seems to be made of cheese – just fed up and want a decent Shimano one 🙂

Oh well, SL was 6600 series, so should work if SI succeeded!

Ultegra on rival here, rival one was also pants, not really sure why I have a photo of it… 😳

Cool – I can’t see a reason why it wont and found a few threads on other forums to suggest as above it works 🙂 Cheers guys 🙂 IIRC Apex is a rebranded Rival?

Yes it’ll work.

SRAM frt derailleurs are cr@p. I replaced my Force derailleur with a spare Campag one as an experiment because I was getting slow, lazy, sometimes missed front shifts. It cured it instantly.

SRAM mtb frt derailleurs have been renowned as cr@p for some time – not even close to teh shift quality of Shimano.

Just goes to show SRAM’s road derailleurs are no better really…

SRAM Apex Front Mech: 0 – Shimano Ultegra Sl Front Mech: 1 – Took 5 mins to setup the new Shimano Mech I bought and shifts beautifully – for a minute there with the SRAM mech I thought I was loosing my mechanical skillz – phew 😉

I hate my apex front mech also – would a 105 5700 mech work with my apex shifters anyone?

I’ll find out if a 5600 works – just bought one from CRC – £7 I think it was!

I can confirm that the 5600 front mechs do work with SRAM shifters.

Thanks for that – just about to order one!

Yup should all work fine 🙂

I hate my apex front mech also – would a 105 5700 mech work with my apex shifters anyone?

Well folk here are finding the older Shimano ones work. 5700 mechs are not compatible with 5600 STIs (nominally, never tried) so I’d not like to say. Just because 5600/Ultegra SL front mechs work does not mean 5700s will.

True – sorry not spotted the number difference 600 vs 700 – so yes not sure about that one 🙂

Anyway looks like he’s ordered a 5600 anyway 🙂