Using 1x11 on 1x12 setup for trainer

[mconning]

I'm a bit of a noob here, please can someone give me some advice? I have a mountain bike with SRAM Eagle 1x12 groupset. I want to have an extra rear wheel to use with my trainer with a trainer specific tire. Can I use a wheel with a 1x11 cassette at the back? Will it cause problems if I do that?

 

Thanks!

[Amberdrake]

Unlikely to work well. (never tried it)

Your bound to have shifting issues and that annoying grinding sound when gear doesn't quite sit in gear.

Might even have issues with chain and cassette mixing.

 

Maybe someone with more experience can chip in

[BaGearA]

the movement ratio on your shifter will differ from what the cassette needs 

 

remember the freebody doesn't change the " space " it occupies is the same except the derailer and shifter work together to move precisely 12 times within that "space " now you want it to do the same but only move 11 times.

 

 

Short answer : No it won't work , sorry

[dirtypot]

The only way it would work is if you use a smart trainer in ERG mode and find a single gear which doesn't rub at all.  Then the trainer adjusts the resistance accordingly.  

You won't be able to change gears as you would normally though.  

[mconning]

Awesome, thanks everyone. I'll go with a 1x12 then. Thank you for your explanations!

[PeterF]

I actually know a guy who put a 11 speed cassette onto his wheel for training to save his Eagle cassette. He just adjusted the limit screw on the derailleur and says it shifts fine.

[shaper]

Depending on your setup, why not buy just a cheap road bike and have it permanently set up on the trainer.  Will save wear and tear on your expensive eagle drive train and no messing with changing wheels, or cassettes or fiddling every time you use it.

 

Just ensure the bike set up of the trainer bike is the same as your MTB