Toadmeister

Got a 2019 Renegade Exploit last year and it’s been a dream for me to ride. It has the 1x11 gearing with the 40t chainring and 11-42t cassette. For me it's geared too high for gravel and hills, I almost never use the 11t cog.

I do lots of hills and want to get some lower gearing than 40/42. Lots of internet searching yielded no smaller SRAM Apex 1 chainrings . Looks like I can put a Sunrace 11-50t cassette on however and I might try it out this spring. Want to make sure it’s compatible with my wheel hub first.

will this work? SunRace CSMX80 11-50T 11-Speed Wide Range Mountain Bike Cassette Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071Y5QHNW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_Ub1tEbSP7S6T8

Pic for fun.

I'm s Clydesdale too thus lower gearing will he lp this 6'4" 260# mass with the hills

Elvo

Probably will need an RD that has the chain wrap capacity of 40T x 50T. Not sure if that exists. I would switch to a front double 46/30T or lower or switch to a direct mount crankset with 32T

Cyclist0108

A Box Two derailleur X-wide would do what you want. I have one, and it works fine with an 11-speed SLX shifter, and probably would work fine with the SRAM version.

But I would just get a smaller chainring/crank, rather than a new cassette and new derailleur.

Currently, your lowest gear ratio is pretty close to 1:1. That isn't very low. My all-road/gravel bike has a low 46/30T in the front and a 11-36T in the back, and I am about 60 lb lighter.

You can get a Shimano GRX 46/30T for about $150.

Get some low gearing on that thing, and don't let people give you any crap about it.

katsup

2x would require new shifters (front one at least) which can be expensive. I'd agree about changing the chainrings vs the cassette though.

Cpn_Dunsel

Sell bike and buy new bike with front crank, brakes, and cassette more in line with your needs as upgrading will likely cost as much as a new bike.

tyrion

A smaller chainring might be an easier way to get the lower gearing you need. A 34t chainring would be like trading your current top gear (which you almost never use) for gear similar to what a 50t cog would give you with 40t chainring.

Toadmeister

Wish I could find a smaller Apex 1 chainring but they don't exist

Toadmeister

Not doing a 2x in front, love the 1x front.

Cyclist0108

What the OP needs could be accomplished with just changing the current chainring for a smaller one, or at worst, getting a new crank. $100.

Toadmeister

Didn't know if my current rear Derailleur SRAM Apex 1 Long cage would do the job for a 50t.

Want to stay with 1x up front, love that. Can't find a smaller SRAM Apex 1 chainring than 40t however. Might have to swap the entire crankset

Toadmeister

I think this is the way.
any reccemendations on crankset? I currently have
SRAM Apex, XSYNC 40T, 175mm with a BB Set SRAM GXP

Toadmeister

LOL, No

Cpn_Dunsel

....

Elvo

The SRAM Apex 1x crankset has a weird asymmetric bolt pattern so there are very few options. The smallest I've seen is a 38T chainring but it is still like $80 and will give you minimal change.

tyrion

Probably need a mountain crank. I'd first examine your BB - if it's ok then you can keep it and get a crank that fits GXP BBs. If the BB is rough and needs replacement then you have more options for cranks.

Darth Lefty 

Your RD will handle an 11-46 cassette.

look at Wolf Tooth, they have SRAM direct mount rings in a variety of sizes and offsets. If the size you want isn’t listed, it couldn’t hurt to email them and ask what to do. There’s leeway in the front chain line, it doesn’t need to be perfect.

Toadmeister

Thanks, I did contact them and they replied of no plans to produce a smaller chainring for Apex1.

Cyclist0108

I think any 11-speed compatible 1X for mountain (or road or gravel) would probably work fine. Just make sure you don't go too low (it is possible, ask me how I know).

Bottom brackets can be had cheap, and are disposable wear items, so don't let that constrain you.

Darth Lefty 

right, but you maybe could flip one of the MTB rings. Depends on clearance to the chain stay

Toadmeister

Ok, tell me about going too low

My old road bike I recall had such a low gearing on its 3x9 extreme that I could barely spin fast enough to keep from falling over going up a big hill! Sometimes the chain being so far crossed could fall off too. One reason I like me a 1x11 on my Gravel bike.

I should mention I also have a 1x11 on my fat bike with a 34t chainring and 11-42 cassette. Great for those 17% grades!

unterhausen

does one of the North Shore Billet spiders fit on an Apex? https://northshorebillet.com/collect...ain-components
they have chain rings too

I have a sram force road crank with Shimano mtb chain rings on one of their rings.

Toadmeister

The Apex1 has a weirdo assymetric mounting.

dsaul

The SRAM Rival 1 has a direct mount spider that can be replaced with any GXP direct mount chainring. I opted for the Rival 1 group over the Apex1 on a recent build for just that reason.

Toadmeister

I'll consider the Rival, thanks.

EDIT, I can’t find a 1x11 SRAM Rival with a 34t chainring....

Darth Lefty 

I see now. Sorry I thought it was in the direct mount family like the NX and GX cranks. Sorry for sending you on a wild goose chase.

Removing the spider on the Rival 1 crank would have the result I was imagining