2x10 to 1x12 is it worth it??

[W@nted]

Does anyone have feedback on using the gx eagle groupset with the sunrace 12 speed casette? 50/11t without xd driver required...Very tempted to buy this option. Any degrade in performance comared to the original sram casette?

[Paddaman]

As a Luddite, I believe that moving from the 3 x 9 or 3 x 10 setup to something more exotic was really a marketing ploy to solve a problem that did not exist.  Obviously for XC and DH cyclists not having to shift in the front may be a bit of a bonus, but for every other discipline having the extra gears makes more sense.  This is even more so for weekend worriers and the ultra marathon cyclists.

 

Also changing from 26 inch wheels to 27.5 and 29 inch, was to a large extent a marketing ploy.  It was possible for UCI to force compliance on 26 inch for XC like they did on the 900cc wheel for road under the guise of standardisation.  Now we have a proliferation in standards and suppliers having to carry more stock.  The result is that the consumers are being forces by wholesalers to purchase new bicycles, when austerity measures and the "green economy" (ie the idea of saving the planet (by reducing waste)) are actually taking hold.

 

I suppose I am an old British Bulldog with the mantra, ïf it ain't broke, don't fix it". 

[FrankTank]

Gears.jpg

 

 

1. Commencal 26er 2x10 2. Fireye 27.5 1x10  3. Commencal 26er 1x10 with a 28T 4. Commencal 26er 1x12

 

Which website or software did you use to create this awesome comparison table?

[Eddy Gordo]

http://gears.mtbcrosscountry.com/#26I1I1

[openmind]

Something that has not been mentioned is the advantage of being able to chuck the equivalent of three gears in one click on a 2x system by downshifting the front derailleur. In tight single track, especially on XCO type courses, I find this invaluable - I can't imagine that I would be able to respond as quickly to the changing gearing demands of courses like that with a 1x system. I will stick to 2x despite the extra weight and complexity.

 

For marathon races maybe it's less of an issue. 

[solty]

As a Luddite, I believe that moving from the 3 x 9 or 3 x 10 setup to something more exotic was really a marketing ploy to solve a problem that did not exist. Obviously for XC and DH cyclists not having to shift in the front may be a bit of a bonus, but for every other discipline having the extra gears makes more sense. This is even more so for weekend worriers and the ultra marathon cyclists.

 

Also changing from 26 inch wheels to 27.5 and 29 inch, was to a large extent a marketing ploy. It was possible for UCI to force compliance on 26 inch for XC like they did on the 900cc wheel for road under the guise of standardisation. Now we have a proliferation in standards and suppliers having to carry more stock. The result is that the consumers are being forces by wholesalers to purchase new bicycles, when austerity measures and the "green economy" (ie the idea of saving the planet (by reducing waste)) are actually taking hold.

 

I suppose I am an old British Bulldog with the mantra, ïf it ain't broke, don't fix it".

So you also have inside info on the bike industry's scheming ways, like this guy:

https://youtu.be/Jj0uBQ7j5c4

[Paddaman]

So you also have inside info on the bike industry's scheming ways, like this guy:

Precisely, and did I also tell you that the  earth was flat?

[dirtypot]

Does anyone have feedback on using the gx eagle groupset with the sunrace 12 speed casette? 50/11t without xd driver required...Very tempted to buy this option. Any degrade in performance comared to the original sram casette?

 

The only noticeable difference is the loss of the 10T cog.  It shifts well and lasts well too. 

[Eddy Gordo]

Something that has not been mentioned is the advantage of being able to chuck the equivalent of three gears in one click on a 2x system by downshifting the front derailleur. In tight single track, especially on XCO type courses, I find this invaluable - I can't imagine that I would be able to respond as quickly to the changing gearing demands of courses like that with a 1x system. I will stick to 2x despite the extra weight and complexity.

 

For marathon races maybe it's less of an issue. 

Thats the one thing I miss on my Hardtail. Setup the gear for the flat in a big ring as well as for a climb in the small ring. Cassette shifting is minimal with a 2x system.

[ChrisF]

Thanks Myles, i guess if i can sacrifice a bit of  the top end i would be prepared to but maybe you right im happy with 2x10.  Just thought ditching the front shifter, and FD would be a good way to go.  

 

Stevie my 2x10 setup gives me 22-36 in the front, and 11-40 in the rear.

 

Typical topend speed for a MTB

 

Seldom use the granny, but when I do it REALLY is nice to have it !!  Lately I find I spin up hills at high cadence, with 1 or 2 gears to go still .....  maar as die asem opraak HELP daai granny. 

 

 

For now I am HAPPY with a 2x setup. 

 

 

But thanks to Iwan Kemp for taking the time to show us just far the 1x options have come.  Impressive !!!! 

 

In time it may even become affordable .... 

[ChrisF]

As a Luddite, I believe that moving from the 3 x 9 or 3 x 10 setup to something more exotic was really a marketing ploy to solve a problem that did not exist.  Obviously for XC and DH cyclists not having to shift in the front may be a bit of a bonus, but for every other discipline having the extra gears makes more sense.  This is even more so for weekend worriers and the ultra marathon cyclists.

 

Also changing from 26 inch wheels to 27.5 and 29 inch, was to a large extent a marketing ploy.  It was possible for UCI to force compliance on 26 inch for XC like they did on the 900cc wheel for road under the guise of standardisation.  Now we have a proliferation in standards and suppliers having to carry more stock.  The result is that the consumers are being forces by wholesalers to purchase new bicycles, when austerity measures and the "green economy" (ie the idea of saving the planet (by reducing waste)) are actually taking hold.

 

I suppose I am an old British Bulldog with the mantra, ïf it ain't broke, don't fix it". 

 

My commute bike is a 3x, and my trail bike a 2x .....

 

BELIEVE ME - never again a 3x for me !  On a commute with a many steep ups, followed by steep downs I am forever working those front three gears ..... And my 2x setup has the same top and bottom gears on the front.

 

 

A friend went from 2x to 1x .... I may just buy over his 2x parts and upgrade my commuter .....

[Allrounder]

For the short while that I did MTbing, i was on a 1x10 setup. 

 

If I ever do MTB again, i will not consider any 2x ot 3x system. 

[nickc]

Having been cycling MTB for close on 15 years now and having ridden practically every gearing system option I can safely say the best I have ever had in terms of smoothness and reliability is my current Sram Eagle GX system - 10t overdrive and 50t granny - with the correct front chainring you do not need anything else

 

Cannot believe I will ever look at anything else - especially 2x or 3x.

[Suidwes Boytjie]

Having been cycling MTB for close on 15 years now and having ridden practically every gearing system option I can safely say the best I have ever had in terms of smoothness and reliability is my current Sram Eagle GX system - 10t overdrive and 50t granny - with the correct front chainring you do not need anything else

 

Cannot believe I will ever look at anything else - especially 2x or 3x.

Agreed 100%... 

[Wet Ears]

If you want to go the 12 speed route thats up to you. However you sound like you are nice and fit and a strong climber. Changing to a 32 or 34 would help you on the flats and a little harder on the climbs. The 12 speed option would give you a bit both.

Changing the chain ring to 32 or 34 or even getting both is cheaper.

Just an update from my side, in case it can help anyone who is in a similar boat. Decided to do a step by step approach going with the cheapest option first, so I went from 30T chain ring to a 34T and left the cassette as is 10-42.

 

Noticeable increased top end speed and everything else feels good i.e. happy I made the change although I would probably like an extra granny gear but my view is that this is a means to getting fitter and stronger. The GX eagle option with 11-50 cassette sounds great but not sure 2 additional granny gears are worth the additional 6k! 

[eddy]

For the short while that I did MTbing, i was on a 1x10 setup. 

 

If I ever do MTB again, i will not consider any 2x ot 3x system. 

 

Disclaimer:

 

I don't ride Enduro or Downhill so I don't speak for them

 

I understand that 1x has many "upsides" and these are all good things:  

 

I get that 1x gives you a cleaner look.

• but I spend more time on my bike than looking at it so a "cleaner" look is pretty irrelevant.

 

I understand that 1x makes shifting easier/smoother/more precise/what ever.

• but I spend more time pedalling my bike than shifting so the few seconds a ride that I am shifting are in fact pretty irrelevant. (Actually the best shifting I have had is on a medium cage XO RD and a 12-32 9speed cassette. Not sure a giraffe trying to shift across a 10-50 range is guaranteed to be much better) 

 

I get that you eliminate overlaps and that you can mostly get the same top end OR the same bottom end gearing.

• but why do you even need the compromise ? it is not as if we sit and calculate the exact next ratio and then shift front and back to find it each time. I (and almost everyone I have ridden with) tend to use it mostly as two independent systems. So on the flats and terrain that tends downwards, I put it in the big ring and use the back as one would a 1x. If it is hilly and upwards, I put it in the small ring and do the same. Best of both worlds. Two 1x setups giving me best top end and best low end.    Maybe 3x is even better you can power a 44 to the hills and spin up them in a 22 and wear out you middle ring by doing almost everything else in it.