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Chinese Carbon Road Bikes => Cyclocross Frames, Wheels & Components => Topic started by: majeranek on November 04, 2025, 02:25:11 AM

Title: SRAM Apex XPLR AXS & 11-46t Aliexpress Cassette
Post by: majeranek on November 04, 2025, 02:25:11 AM
Hi,

have any of you tested electronic Apex XPLR AXS 12s rear derailleur with 11-46t Goldix or Sunshine Cassette from Aliexpress? Wondering if it will work. I saw some tests with 50t cassette but it was garage test, not in the terrain.
I can't find any replacement for 11-44 XPLR 12s cassette and this one costs over 100$...
Title: Re: SRAM Apex XPLR AXS & 11-46t Aliexpress Cassette
Post by: Milo on November 04, 2025, 09:49:38 AM
I currently run 11-46 Sunshine with Rival XPLR 12speed.

It works...The derailleur can manage more than 46t.

Now i wish it could support 11-32 cassette for the flats  ;D

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005009390950334.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.69.73241802PvkCho&gatewayAdapt=glo2ita
Title: Re: SRAM Apex XPLR AXS & 11-46t Aliexpress Cassette
Post by: majeranek on November 05, 2025, 06:05:11 AM
Good to hear that :)
What chain do you use?

I currently run 11-46 Sunshine with Rival XPLR 12speed.

It works...The derailleur can manage more than 46t.

Now i wish it could support 11-32 cassette for the flats  ;D

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005009390950334.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.69.73241802PvkCho&gatewayAdapt=glo2ita
Title: Re: SRAM Apex XPLR AXS & 11-46t Aliexpress Cassette
Post by: Milo on November 05, 2025, 07:29:53 AM
KMC X12


You can also use the 10-45 Shimano Cassette (Deore/XT/XTR) if your wheelset support Mircospline Hub.
Just to have the 10t sprocket.
Title: Re: SRAM Apex XPLR AXS & 11-46t Aliexpress Cassette
Post by: majeranek on November 05, 2025, 08:55:17 AM
I'll have HG hub so 11-46t. I'll have 46t crankset so no big deal with that 11t  ;D

KMC X12


You can also use the 10-45 Shimano Cassette (Deore/XT/XTR) if your wheelset support Mircospline Hub.
Just to have the 10t sprocket.
Title: Re: SRAM Apex XPLR AXS & 11-46t Aliexpress Cassette
Post by: frnchy on November 05, 2025, 03:01:38 PM
Hi,

have any of you tested electronic Apex XPLR AXS 12s rear derailleur with 11-46t Goldix or Sunshine Cassette from Aliexpress? Wondering if it will work. I saw some tests with 50t cassette but it was garage test, not in the terrain.
I can't find any replacement for 11-44 XPLR 12s cassette and this one costs over 100$...

I'm using an Apex XPLR AXS rear derailleur with an 11-46 generic cassette (from one of the Amazon resellers with random letters for their name, lol) with a 46t chainring, so basically your exact setup. It works perfectly fine with a 105 12 speed chain.

I doubt a 50t cassette would work - the largest sprocket would physically fit, but the derailleur doesn't have that much capacity to take up the chain, so it would either be way too tight in the 50t or way too slack in the 11t.
Title: Re: SRAM Apex XPLR AXS & 11-46t Aliexpress Cassette
Post by: majeranek on November 06, 2025, 01:40:41 AM
Cool, good to hear that it'll work  ;)

I'm using an Apex XPLR AXS rear derailleur with an 11-46 generic cassette (from one of the Amazon resellers with random letters for their name, lol) with a 46t chainring, so basically your exact setup. It works perfectly fine with a 105 12 speed chain.

I doubt a 50t cassette would work - the largest sprocket would physically fit, but the derailleur doesn't have that much capacity to take up the chain, so it would either be way too tight in the 50t or way too slack in the 11t.
Title: Re: SRAM Apex XPLR AXS & 11-46t Aliexpress Cassette
Post by: CountUgolino on November 06, 2025, 10:18:39 AM
If you can get a microspline freehub for your wheelset, you could use a Shimano 10-45 cassette.  I have an XT cassette and chain on my Force XPLR bike, shifting is way better than it was with the sram cassette and the cassette was like $50.  I was able to find a ZRace MS freehub from AliExpress for $22, so the total cost was very reasonable.
Title: Re: SRAM Apex XPLR AXS & 11-46t Aliexpress Cassette
Post by: MIMH on November 08, 2025, 12:26:05 PM
This is great to hear. I just ordered an XPLR derailleur. The documentation says MAX is 44T, but 46T works in practice? Great. Because I  found out that 44T isn't exactly a common cassette.
Ordering a ZTTO 46 right now.!