Conversion to 1x9 - advise req'd

[moe_7]

Some noobie advise required here - go easy on me 

 

I currently have a stock Momsen AL126. It has 3x9 with Shimano SLX derailer at the rear. (Details here: http://momsenbikes.com/2013-bikes/al126/ ). Yes, it's a little 26", but I love it 

 

Not the highest end bike out there, but want to play around a bit and contemplating a 1x9 setup.

 

I'm not looking to save weight, though it would be a bonus. I just find the thought of simplifying and having a little more flexibility with a single 9 speed rear cassette appealing (i.e. going from the stock 11-32 to a larger 11-34 or 12-36). I've never used the 42T front ring and now that I'm getting fitter, I rarely drop to the 22T front as well - so the "middle 32T front" ring is all I use for most of my trail riding.  

 

I'm thinking of one of the following 2 options at the rear: 11-34T or 12-36T 

For the front, either a single 30T or 32T, with some type of chain gaurd. 

(I've scanned the Classifieds, but a wee bit lost on what would work on my bike)

 

Anyone done this on a "cheaper" bike such as mine? What would you recommend in terms of parts to purchase and from where. This would be my first such mod, so I'm basically paying a bit of "school fees" here to learn and play around. I assume my stock SLX derailer would still work. For now, my guess is that I'm probably willing to spend around R1k to R2k on this conversion.

 

Advise welcome, especially on where to buy parts in JHB North/Midrand. I'm also willing it to take in to someone as well for the conversion. 

[AlanD]

A narrow wide chain rung upfront would be a good start. You can get them from Kalbo, Kitted, Evobikes and other online stores. It helps to keep the chain on the ring as the teeth are longer and shaped specifically to hold the links in the chain. I think 32t upfront is a good option.

 

There are RDs that have a clutch mechanism to put more tension on the chain in order to avoid a dropped chain but many have used a regular RD successfully.

 

You will need a cassette removal tool to change your cassette. There are nice wide range cassettes you can get but for only 10 Speeds.

 

If you can go ten speed the that would be great but need to replace your RD, shifter and cassette. There is also 1x11 but that's pricey.

[Flippa]

My geared bike is 1x9. Conventional 32 singlespeed ring with a Paul Components top guide for safety and 34-11 Sram cassette. SLX shifter and RD. Easy. I have only felt that I have needed more gear range when I rode Dusi2c last year.

[the nerd]

I run a 1x9 on a singlespeed 32 ring up front no gaurd, and no fancy pants clutch rear mech either and it works perfectly. No dropped chains and no issues at all. 

[RocknRolla]

I think sram and shimano is going to shut this thread down once they get hold of it....

 

Just goes to show.. One does not have to blindly follow all the marketing bs.

[the nerd]

Totally, I am using a 9 speed X0 rear mech and a fairly worn blackspire mono veloce 32t. In my opinion its more to do with chain tension then anything else.

 

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[Hairy]

When the ht gets gears, it runs a 1×9 setup with a on one ss 32t chain ring and a 36t cassette. For security I used to just use a front Der with the limit screws adjusted to align over the chain ring. ....have not dropped a chain. Recently I have used a seat tube clamp mounted csixx top guide and it had been just add fault free. The csixx just looks so much cleaner and neater than a std front der

[JXV]

Some noobie advise required here - go easy on me

 

I currently have a stock Momsen AL126. It has 3x9 with Shimano SLX derailer at the rear. (Details here: http://momsenbikes.com/2013-bikes/al126/ ). Yes, it's a little 26", but I love it [emoji106]

 

Not the highest end bike out there, but want to play around a bit and contemplating a 1x9 setup.

 

I'm not looking to save weight, though it would be a bonus. I just find the thought of simplifying and having a little more flexibility with a single 9 speed rear cassette appealing (i.e. going from the stock 11-32 to a larger 11-34 or 12-36). I've never used the 42T front ring and now that I'm getting fitter, I rarely drop to the 22T front as well - so the "middle 32T front" ring is all I use for most of my trail riding.

 

I'm thinking of one of the following 2 options at the rear: 11-34T or 12-36T

For the front, either a single 30T or 32T, with some type of chain gaurd.

(I've scanned the Classifieds, but a wee bit lost on what would work on my bike)

 

Anyone done this on a "cheaper" bike such as mine? What would you recommend in terms of parts to purchase and from where. This would be my first such mod, so I'm basically paying a bit of "school fees" here to learn and play around. I assume my stock SLX derailer would still work. For now, my guess is that I'm probably willing to spend around R1k to R2k on this conversion.

 

Advise welcome, especially on where to buy parts in JHB North/Midrand. I'm also willing it to take in to someone as well for the conversion.

I rode my 3x9 26er in the 42t big ring only for a whole year around Hilton, Howick and Karkloof trails. Some of the steeper hills were a bit tough but it was manageable. Your legs adjust quite quickly.

 

I think 32t front ring on a 26er will leave your gearing a bit short, especially with a 12t small cog at the rear, so think about rather going 34t or 36t. I currently ride 34t on a 1x10 29er with converted 11-42 cassette.

 

Definitely go wide range on the cassette. You can get 11-36 in a 9 spd cassette. If you can fit a NW chainring where your current middle blade is fitted then chainline should be perfect and you may not even need a chainguide.

 

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[moe_7]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm certainly learning a lot. I like the idea of the narrow wide ring - did not realize this existed until yesterday. Seems that most application using this type of ring don't require a chain Gaurd - from a simplicity perspective, this seems like an awesome option. The bonus is that most of the local places supply this so that helps quite a bit. Also, worst case scenario is that I can add the chain Gaurd later if I have issues.

 

With regards to the cassette, who makes a decent 9 speed 11-36? When I tried to search for this range, most of them where 10 or 11 speed. I'd like to keep my 9 speed setup - I do understand that the jump between ratios would be a little more, but I can live with that.

[JXV]

Hmmm...I may have been mistaken about 11-36 in 9 spd....sorry

 

Shimano does not seem to list one and the XT cassette on my 9 speed bike is 11-34. Just counted the teeth. I always thought it was 11-36. Looks like you will be restricted to 11-34 or 12-36 if you stay with 9 speed. Out of these two I would stay with 11-34 to keep the 11t small cog

 

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[moe_7]

Hmmm...I may have been mistaken about 11-36 in 9 spd....sorry

 

Shimano does not seem to list one and the XT cassette on my 9 speed bike is 11-34. Just counted the teeth. I always thought it was 11-36. Looks like you will be restricted to 11-34 or 12-36 if you stay with 9 speed. Out of these two I would stay with 11-34 to keep the 11t small cog

 

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Thanks for clarifying. If I were to choose, would still go 12-36, instead of 11-34 - would rather lose some speed on the straight and struggle a bit less uphill

 

However, my choice may be influenced by what i can find as well. Seems that almost all the local online stores stock the 11-34 option only. Can't believe how 9 speed is suddenly "old" - on 10 and 11 speed, there is a lot of options. On 9, it seems to be very limited.

[the nerd]

Thanks for clarifying. If I were to choose, would still go 12-36, instead of 11-34 - would rather lose some speed on the straight and struggle a bit less uphill

 

However, my choice may be influenced by what i can find as well. Seems that almost all the local online stores stock the 11-34 option only. Can't believe how 9 speed is suddenly "old" - on 10 and 11 speed, there is a lot of options. On 9, it seems to be very limited.

 

I ride an 11 - 34 with a 32 upfront and don't run into many hills that are unclimbable... I think you'd be ok. 

[Martin PJ]

I would go 12/36, buy a 40T or 42T expander cog for the back. Then run 36 NW at the front. I heard that with 11/34 cassette you may have problems changing gears if you fit an expander cog as the gap is too big.

 

If you look on Aliexpress.com the expander and the NW are quite cheap. I have the front NW oval chain ring from Aliexpress and it is great. They cost 16 USD. The 40 T expander I see for 30 to 40 USD on Aliexpress. I use a Kalbo expander which is local and very good.

 

Regarding dropped chains you need to ride it to see if you will have a problem. There is a good chance you don't need a chain guide.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I would go 12/36, buy a 40T or 42T expander cog for the back. Then run 36 NW at the front. I heard that with 11/34 cassette you may have problems changing gears if you fit an expander cog as the gap is too big.

 

If you look on Aliexpress.com the expander and the NW are quite cheap. I have the front NW oval chain ring from Aliexpress and it is great. They cost 16 USD. The 40 T expander I see for 30 to 40 USD on Aliexpress. I use a Kalbo expander which is local and very good.

 

Regarding dropped chains you need to ride it to see if you will have a problem. There is a good chance you don't need a chain guide.

As far as I know you don't get the extenders for 9sp cassettes, so this won't work as the spacing will be out (slightly smaller gap between gears on the 10 / 11sp stuff)

[the nerd]

Just FYI:

 

PSA:

 

There is nothing wrong with 9 speed. Worked before. Works now.

 

[emoji41]

[DirtyDan]

Guys, tell me if this is a stupid idea, but why doesn't moe_7 get a 12-36 9spd cassette and just replace the 12t cog with his current 11t?