Next XTR: It is 12 speed !

[s14phoenix]

Don't try and convince anyone. If you are happy cool. I am a firm believer that 2x if far better. I too have never had issues. Interestingly, at Sani2C, a few Eagle drive trains were struggling to get into their 50 tooth on the steep stuff...

 

The rationale that 1x is better because its lighter is nonsense unless you aim to podium. If not, then its not better, its just 'cooler'. The rationale that 1x is better because it has fewer moving parts and less likely to give hassles is also nonsense because that all depends on how you maintain your bike. I have personally had more issues with my 1x XTR than my 2x XT. My mate got rid of Eagle and went back to XT.

 

Ride what works for you. Its not a competition. There is no such thing as better or best. There is however the right product for the required application and rider.

 

I think a lot of guys just ride what they get on the bike they buy (which may or may not sway the decision when they purchase the bike) I agree with 2x11. 1x11 did not agree with me 1x12 I still feel short changed - but that's due to the fact that I use a 42 big ring on my 2x.

 

I honestly don't think a lot of guys actually change the groupset on their bike. Of the 1000s of cyclists I think its only a few that would. The rest just pedal the bike as is.

[SwissVan]

do you guys not keep your bikes clean and maintain your drive train? In 20000km (yes 20 thousand) that I have had my 2x10 XT Merida I have never had an issue with front shifting from mud or any kind of debris. I have dropped a chain fewer than five times and that was no fault of the front mech but rather the rear since my XT rear mech has no clutch. Honestly how do you guys have issues? I don't get it?

 

I will never touch a 1x. Tried it hated it.

200g is negligible weight advantage unless you are Nino Schurter. You are better off shaving a couple kilos off your bulk. Not to mention the other numerous disadvantages.

It’s old school vs new school

Those who have vs those who haven’t

Those who know what it’s like vs those who don’t

 

In the market for a new mtb and shittin myself with all the 1 x bikes out there and lack of 2 x

[The expat cyclist]

80% of the time I use the bottom 4 sprockets. So I don't need 12.

Now if you want to sell me something, sell me half a cassette at half the price of a full cassette. Now that I'd buy.

[Alastair_S1D]

Don't try and convince anyone. If you are happy cool. I am a firm believer that 2x if far better. I too have never had issues. Interestingly, at Sani2C, a few Eagle drive trains were struggling to get into their 50 tooth on the steep stuff...

 

The rationale that 1x is better because its lighter is nonsense unless you aim to podium. If not, then its not better, its just 'cooler'. The rationale that 1x is better because it has fewer moving parts and less likely to give hassles is also nonsense because that all depends on how you maintain your bike. I have personally had more issues with my 1x XTR than my 2x XT. My mate got rid of Eagle and went back to XT.

 

Ride what works for you. Its not a competition. There is no such thing as better or best. There is however the right product for the required application and rider.

I have to agree 100%. I think the reliability aspect is the only thing a 1x has going for it. No front mech = fewer moving parts is cool, the only thing that goes against it is the chain lines on the extreme ends of the cassette. Other than that 1x doesn't have much that a 2x can't do. If guys want to ride 1x then that's cool. But what is starting to irritate me is both bike and component manufactures are trying to push us in one direction and that's in a 1x only direction. Which I disagree with. Cycling is a sport of different terrains and surfaces with flats and mountains. Pushing a 1 size fits all philosophy isn't going to work on a sport with as much variation in it as ours. And also I don't need to post chain rings for sale on Gumtree when they aren't the right size. ????????

[Paul Ruinaard]

It’s old school vs new school

Those who have vs those who haven’t

Those who know what it’s like vs those who don’t

 

In the market for a new mtb and shittin myself with all the 1 x bikes out there and lack of 2 x

IMO its all about your weight and fitness.

 

Summary of my reply is i went back to 2 x and am happy again.

 

WRT XTR: XTR is and always has been made of unobtanium thats why its so pornographically expensive. Its like running carbon fibre discs on a Porsche road car  - great if you are a racing driver but useless if you do 20 000 km in your road car every year.

 

12 speed XTR is going to have an inhale factor that is going to leave us all breathless when we see the price. Do i like it - yes. Do i love it - yes. Do i need it - no. Will my 2 x 11 speed make me happier - yes.

 

FWIW: My lesson wrt this was using 10 speed road bike groups mixed with MTB groups. I managed to build a combo for my wife's bike using Ultegra compact cranks, MTB RD and clusters and road shifters that has all the climbing range and low ratios and all the high speed pedalling range - more than my 2 x 11 does. And for a third of the price using spares i bought here.

 

1 x is really like half of everything. IMO designed for people who can cope with it. Its like designer fashion gear: it only fits super models with insane body measurements and the balance of the populace who are normal aspire to being like them but can never quite get there.

[Alastair_S1D]

It’s old school vs new school

Those who have vs those who haven’t

Those who know what it’s like vs those who don’t

 

In the market for a new mtb and shittin myself with all the 1 x bikes out there and lack of 2 x

that's why I am simply going to upgrade my Merida. It's a 2013 Frame. But I don't see much difference against it vs more modern frames except for slightly slacker geometry and boost spacing. Hopefully I can fit this new XTR on to my 142 rear hub.

 

But I plan to upgrade my bike either to either an XTR M980/M9000 mix or M9100 depending on what M9100 provides. The M980/M9000 upgrade on my Big.NINE puts it at 9.8 KG. Which is competitive with most brand new high end 1x hardtails anyway.

[Meezo]

there was an add in classifieds, of one of the ex pro mtb and ex roadie champ, he's add said that 12spd XTR being release early June

[sometime]

XTR 12 speed 10 - 51 cassette made of titanium

[Baracuda]

do you guys not keep your bikes clean and maintain your drive train? In 20000km (yes 20 thousand) that I have had my 2x10 XT Merida I have never had an issue with front shifting from mud or any kind of debris. I have dropped a chain fewer than five times and that was no fault of the front mech but rather the rear since my XT rear mech has no clutch. Honestly how do you guys have issues? I don't get it?

 

I will never touch a 1x. Tried it hated it.

200g is negligible weight advantage unless you are Nino Schurter. You are better off shaving a couple kilos off your bulk. Not to mention the other numerous disadvantages.

 

Completely agree. Got 1x on my new bike two years ago and it is pain in the arse: 1x11 (11-46). It introduces a whole new world of issues, which front chain ring to choose, massive expensive casettes etc etc.

 

I have been riding bikes with front derailleurs for 34 years. I have never had problem with a front derailleur, ever. On MTB bikes in the mud in Stellies over the last 15 years, I have never had an issue.

 

Yet now we have a solution that either makes the steepest climbs tricky or limit your top end when you bolting down the road on the way home. All with the additional cost of 11 or 12 speed casettes

[Hairy]

It seems like the vast majority of riders calling for 2 x are in JHB?

[Hairy]

My 1 x history

• first was a 1x1
• then a 1x9 with 11/32t, later upgraded to a climbing gear of 11/36t
• next up was the big 1x10 with a 40t expander cog
• currently 1x11 with 10x42t
• wish list 1 x 12 with 10x46/50t and then a 34 or 36t chain ring

I won't say 2 x sucks, but 1 x is just more natural for me ... and with a 2x system you are duplicating some of the ratio's anyway as you jump from chain ring to chain ring.

[s14phoenix]

It seems like the vast majority of riders calling for 2 x are in JHB?

 

Yeah we like to go fast also....not just climb up the hills

[Hairy]

Yeah we like to go fast also....not just climb up the hills

you would love riding up and definitely DOWN hills too ............... if you guys had them

[Headshot]

Yeah we like to go fast also....not just climb up the hills

Ya down hear we value chain retention on the downhills, most of which have actual rocks on them  . I had endless k@k with my last 2x10 system. Chains falling off- even with a 2x chain guide, a broken chain - ruined a couple of rides. Went to 1x 10 and no issues.

 

We also like our dropper seat posts down here, which of course work even better with an under bar lever mounted where your front shifter sits. 

 

I currently ride a very heavy enduro bike with a 10x42 1 by 11 set up. It gets up most hills despite its weight and the feeble rider. Never lost a chain. If it was a lightweight marathon bike I'm sure I'd be just as happy with the 1x11.

[Hairy]

that's why I am simply going to upgrade my Merida. It's a 2013 Frame. But I don't see much difference against it vs more modern frames except for slightly slacker geometry and boost spacing. Hopefully I can fit this new XTR on to my 142 rear hub.

 

But I plan to upgrade my bike either to either an XTR M980/M9000 mix or M9100 depending on what M9100 provides. The M980/M9000 upgrade on my Big.NINE puts it at 9.8 KG. Which is competitive with most brand new high end 1x hardtails anyway.

That is a very general statement regarding how new bike geometry handles. 

 

It is not just a matter of slacker and boost. You are looking at longer reach combined with steeper seat tube angles, shorter chain stay's, better mud clearance for wider tyres, and the list goes on. Geo is a "fluid" system, you change on thing and it has an impact on another thing.

 

AND if you buy a new bike you no longer have to explain to your friends why you chose to buy and ride a Merida in the first place (jokes hey, jokes on this last one )

[Hairy]

Completely agree. Got 1x on my new bike two years ago and it is pain in the arse: 1x11 (11-46). It introduces a whole new world of issues, which front chain ring to choose, massive expensive casettes etc etc.

 

I have been riding bikes with front derailleurs for 34 years. I have never had problem with a front derailleur, ever. On MTB bikes in the mud in Stellies over the last 15 years, I have never had an issue.

 

Yet now we have a solution that either makes the steepest climbs tricky or limit your top end when you bolting down the road on the way home. All with the additional cost of 11 or 12 speed casettes

you need to correct that 15 year statement based on our poor rainfall over the last few year