scotch

For those interested, with some help from the kind folks on this thread, I got a Deore XT 11-40 cassette on my Exploit. All it required was a Wolf Tooth Road Link ($20) and a new chain. Whole upgrade was less than $150. Here's a few pics if you're interested.

shoota 

Nice. So the 11s XT cassettes are spaced the same as Shimano/Sram 11s road cassettes?

scotch

I believe so but ask your mechanic to be sure. But I believe the 11 XT cassettes fit perfectly on Shimano and Sram hub drivers without spacers.

shoota 

Ah, I meant are the cogs spaced the same as a road cassette.

scotch

FWIW, when I eyeball both cassettes, they look the same.

SpartyinWI

Can anyone comment on how the Expat rides on the pavement? Not overly heavy correct? Also, if I bought an expat and could afford an upgrade or two, what would you upgrade?

Thanks.

Sullalto

I end up taking the wheels off for transportation 2-3 times a month and hate fiddling with wheel alignment.

tangerineowl

I'd start with the wheels. However that can be a costly upgrade.

SpartyinWI

Yeah, thinking about that, I would probably just decide between buying an expat and and exploit (2018). I can buy the exploit, I've just never owned a gravel or drop bar bike before.

Thanks.

shoota 

Hmm. Never had a problem with that.

ATPAH

There Exploit is a beautiful bike. The stock components are super solid. The wheels are the same as in the Expat and could be upgraded, because nice wheels are awesome. Otherwise, the only changes to make are a matter of personal preference, rather than upgrades.

Sullalto

Maybe I just suck at it. I like the plug & play aspect of it.

birru

I agree that once you hit the Exploit level you don't really need to upgrade unless you're drooling over something you'd like to have. Except the headset. The headset in my Renegade Expert gets gunked up very easily during wet rides and requires a lot of cleaning and maintenance. It's poorly sealed and seems pretty cheap.

ATPAH

For those of you considering a carbon Renegade, I now know two people who have had their seat stay break in the same spot JRA. One of them is 225# and rides aggressively, but the frame shouldn't break after less than 500 miles off-road. The other guy is maybe 175# and doesn't venture off-road much at all. They've been covered by the lifetime frame warranty, but if you are deciding between steel and carbon, it's something to consider. I went into a shop looking for a steel Exploit, got offered a carbon Expert for less, and jumped on it. I've got buyer's anxiety now, if not remorse. I don't intend to change my ways with the bike. I weigh about the same as my lighter friend, but I ride aggressively like my bigger friend, although I do tend to spend more time out of the saddle than either of them. We'll see how it goes, and I'll report back if there is any news on this front. If I do break it, I'll definitely see about getting a steel frame for my warranty claim, since there seems to be a pattern here.

shoota 

Where exactly did they break?

ATPAH

High up on the seat stay below the bridge.

ATPAH

The approximate break point on my friend's bike is indicated on my bike with a blue piece of tape. There were no indications of impact just a crack that got progressively worse and became crushed carbon fiber as we worked our way out of the woods. His LBS is getting it warrantied.

chris406

Damn,

Kinda hope my Renegade Expert breaks so I can get a new frame. Maybe after this season??

biketampa

Guess I feel lucky to have a steel gravel bike. It’s heavy but fun to ride and less concern of damage. But still surprised this happened to your friends bikes

scotch

I love my steel Expoit. Such a smooth ride.

biketampa

That was a bike I was considering but got a great deal on a Raleigh tamland 1 which I really like

scotch

The Tamland is also a great bike, and an awesome value.

Danny01

There's a new model for 2018, the Escapade. Pretty much the same as the Exploit, but with R8020. It sucks that they added a TA and flat mount brakes on the Exploit for 2017, but the Expat still has post mount with a rear QR. Also, for those riding the any Renegade below the Elite, these Renegades really deserve a wheel upgrade. The wheels that come on these bikes are very heavy and make it feel sluggish in acceleration and turn in. A wheel upgrade transformed my bike. Although the complete 2018 lineup isn't on their site yet, they are available.

vwsswv

Any recommendations for a wheel upgrade on the Exploit? I'm currently considering the Reynolds ATR carbon. I've seen a couple of mentions of a better wheel as an upgrade, but no specific wheel suggestions.

Danny01

I don't see the point in carbon wheels unless the bike is a super weight weenie or aero build, of which the Renegade is neither. I say find a good local wheel builder. There are many options for a custom set. I'm partial to HED Belgium plus and WI CLD. I9 hubs are nice as well, but WI roll better. November sells wheels like this if you prefer to buy online.
https://novemberbicycles.com/collections/hed-disc-wheels