Jump to content

To 1x11 or to not. That's the question.


Jacobus Louw

Recommended Posts

Posted

Hi everyone! New here. 24, Bellville/Langebaan WC, 1.96m, back on the bike after 7 years of not riding. I have a 2008 Merida Matts TFS 700 XC  26er with Deore on the front, XT on the back, and those stupid Deore brake lever / shifter hybrids. I have also realised that even though I want to, I can't buy a new bike.

 

Now – Would it be wise/possible to upgrade to a Shimano or Sram 1x11 system? Any input on other upgrade suggestions are also welcome. Thanks in advance! Jakes. 

  • Replies 51
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Posted

Hmm. I'd caution against overcapitalizing on such an old bike. 

 

Maybe look into cheaper wide range 10spd options. SRAM 11spd will also put you out of pocket for a new XD driver or hub, unless you go for the NX range. 

 

Mabe look into the Shimano Deore M6000 rear mech, shifter, chain and 11-42 casette. That way you can perhaps use your existing crank (incl. a NW chainring). 

Posted

Take the bike to Louise at Knipe-Racing, in Durbanville.

 

He will have a look to see what can fit and what cant ... and what would need replacing ....

 

Maybe the front crank can be salvaged and he can just fit a new blade in the front ...

 

With any luck your hub can accommodate the 11 speed ... apparently the 12 speed NX could also fit ....

 

If the shifters gets replaced ... the brakes gets replaced ....

 

 

Best to sit down before he price this lot .... Might not be too far short of a new bike .....

Posted

Hi everyone! New here. 24, Bellville/Langebaan WC, 1.96m, back on the bike after 7 years of not riding. I have a 2008 Merida Matts TFS 700 XC  26er with Deore on the front, XT on the back, and those stupid Deore brake lever / shifter hybrids. I have also realised that even though I want to, I can't buy a new bike.

 

Now – Would it be wise/possible to upgrade to a Shimano or Sram 1x11 system? Any input on other upgrade suggestions are also welcome. Thanks in advance! Jakes. 

Nx 1x11 Sram 

 

 

really not worth putting anything more updated on the bike 

Posted

i ride a 26 still as well, although its a pretty current one. i'm rolling 1x10 with a 34T narrow wide ring up front and 11-36 XT in the rear. i can honestly say if you need more granny than 36T on a 26"bike,  you need to HTFU  ^_^ :blush:

 

but really...save your cash and either convert yours to a 1x9 or get a 10 speed 11-36 XT (R900 ish) cassette and a cheap 10 speed rear shifter/mech. Forget this 11-46 NX nonsense on a 26". You can get proper 11-46+ when you upgrade to a new 29" bike later imo....just get riding again. 11-36 is plenty. If you feel it might be to rough go down to 32T up front.

...if you go 1x9 even and keep your current cassette and get a new 9sp shifter - even cheaper. i used to ride that no problem with a 32T ring in the front too.  

 

 

Posted

If your current drive chain still has life in it, then ride it as is and save towards a new bike.

No point spending money on something that doesn't need replacing given the age/spec of the bike.

Posted

You'd need as a minimum:

 

1x11 upgrade kit (SLX probably cheapest)

Brakes (second hand deore probably best bet)

Chainring (Rapide/Lyne), just check crank compatibility.

 

So You're probably in for about R4k minimum.

Posted

Hi everyone! New here. 24, Bellville/Langebaan WC, 1.96m, back on the bike after 7 years of not riding. I have a 2008 Merida Matts TFS 700 XC  26er with Deore on the front, XT on the back, and those stupid Deore brake lever / shifter hybrids. I have also realised that even though I want to, I can't buy a new bike.

 

Now – Would it be wise/possible to upgrade to a Shimano or Sram 1x11 system? Any input on other upgrade suggestions are also welcome. Thanks in advance! Jakes. 

 

 

"those stupid Deore brake lever / shifter hybrids"

 

Do you mean the STI like brake lever shifters? They were way ahead of their time imo, I've got some xtr ones on an old s-works, loved them because they help create an uncluttered handlebar effect with no gear levers cluttering up the grips...

 

In todays trend of simplifying everything i would have though mtb sti type shifters would be popular...maybe in a few years they will be the next best thing...

 

 

Anyway, about the 1x 

I would stick with the 3x that you most likely have, they are not difficult to use and will provide better gearing options overall than 1 x

 

Good luck

 

Posted

i ride a 26 still as well, although its a pretty current one. i'm rolling 1x10 with a 34T narrow wide ring up front and 11-36 XT in the rear. i can honestly say if you need more granny than 36T on a 26"bike, you need to HTFU ^_^ :blush:

 

but really...save your cash and either convert yours to a 1x9 or get a 10 speed 11-36 XT (R900 ish) cassette and a cheap 10 speed rear shifter/mech. Forget this 11-46 NX nonsense on a 26". You can get proper 11-46+ when you upgrade to a new 29" bike later imo....just get riding again. 11-36 is plenty. If you feel it might be to rough go down to 32T up front.

...if you go 1x9 even and keep your current cassette and get a new 9sp shifter - even cheaper. i used to ride that no problem with a 32T ring in the front too.

I'm sorry to be that guy, but no 26er can be a current one...

 

OP ride your bike as the man says and see if you really do get back into it after such a long layoff, as maybe you don't and then you have not spent unnecessary ZAR.

Posted

Please ride a 1x11 before you do anything. There may be very little difference. I have a 2x11 and tried a 1x11 on some realy rough stuff and hated the 1x11. Had to hop of on parts I would usually ride

Posted

Get into the routine of regular riding before spending on kit. When you do 1 x 12 may be a better option than x 11. The extra cog makes a massive difference. Happy riding!!!

Posted

But why ?

 

Why do you want to upgrade ?

 

Why do you need to upgrade ?

 

All you doing is spending more money for fewer gears. Save the money and ride in the big chain ring or small chain ring of your choosing.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout