Do mountainbikes have to many gears ?

[_Daemon_]

Run a 2x9 setup on a XT crankset, works well.

 

 

[HappyMartin]

If you can check out where you will be riding and take it so seriously, as you will if you are a top rider, then you can decide what ratios you need on a particular day and do a custom set up. If like most of us you ride out not sure what you will encounter on any given day then it makes sense to be prepared for anything and for that a triple chain ring will a big help.

 

When I bought my first road bike and had to get used to a double chain ring and pushing big gears my knees almost exploded but fortunately my quads went first. That granny ring sure can help and I sure missed it for about a year on the road bike.

 

[AndreZA]

it all comes down to terrain. If you're doing a race at a place like Northern Farm you do not need more then 1 ring up front. I've never used my granny gear and only use my outer ring to keep the chain away from the chainstay when decending. But seeing that the pros are using it, the ponces will grab on to the idea and brag with it at the next race.

[Mackie]

Who cares about wera when you are sponsored?

Imangine getting paid to ride such awesome ****!!

 

[JohnnyReggae]

I reckon 1 gear is enough 

[Konaman]

I saw the video of the worlds XC on freecaster. It seems like Absalon could not keep up with Nino; He spinned very fast on the last flat section. Thats unlike Mr Absalon. Just made me think about his bike setup?

[Wsquared]

I have a single speed hardtail and a 2x9 geared Ellsworth Truth. 2x9 is more than enough and 1x1 makes you super strong!

[Li Mu Bai]

My single speed hardtail is really good fun, just take it easy in the beginning and build up the leg strength, or your knees will start protesting.

 

 

gears are for the Dual susser.

 

[BigGuy]

And how do smaller cassettes handle mtb conditions? I suppose one would have to use an Ultegra (XT equivilent?) casette to get a tighter range?

I did the Nissan Down & Dirty with a SRAM 970 12-26, and did not miss the 32 at all. Think I was once or twice in the 26 on the steeper sections (7-8% gradient), but I never felt that I needed more. It was the first time that I used the cassette, and felt that the ratios were too closely spaced together (to what I am used to); you shift and it feels almost the same, so you have to shift again. I will continue to use it for fairly flat races with shortish climbs. Not sure that a 11/2-23 would work though, maybe 12-25 or ideally 11-28.

[DirtyFrank]

+1 on the Rohloff!!!!! One chainring' date=' no derailleur....can't get better than that [/quote'] Agree on this one but the price makes my eyes water,

[AndreZA]

+1 on the Rohloff!!!!! One chainring' date=' no derailleur....can't get better than that [/quote'] Agree on this one but the price makes my eyes water,

 

 

 

the +1.5kg is what makes me shiver.

 

 

 

 

[DirtyFrank]

+1 on the Rohloff!!!!! One chainring' date=' no derailleur....can't get better than that [/quote'] Agree on this one but the price makes my eyes water,

 

 

 

the +1.5kg is what makes me shiver.

 

`

 

At 95kg I Don`t care about a piffling 1,5kg.

 

The actual weight gain is probably closer to 800gms once you factor in the deraileur etc.

[dirtrider]

Only a roadie would complain about weight on his mtb !

[TitusTi]

it all comes down to terrain. If you're doing a race at a place like Northern Farm you do not need more then 1 ring up front. I've never used my granny gear and only use my outer ring to keep the chain away from the chainstay when decending. But seeing that the pros are using it' date=' the ponces will grab on to the idea and brag with it at the next race.[/quote']

 

Northern Bloody Farm, I ran a 1 X 9 there last year at the 24 hour race. Big ring up front.

[The Worm]

Looks like Kabush is a bit more of a weeny than absalon.

 

Kabush

 

 

absalon

 

 

[Bos]

I skeem Absalon was just trying to attract some attention. Yes He could ride it. Yes He happens to be The Best XC racer on earth at the moment. as For the rest of you lot, Unless you thrive on being "different"(which I think might be the case) love spending time In the workshop or have no hills around...just stick to the normal stuff.

I think I would Just get away with riding a Sram XX stuff But I weigh nothing!And on some Hills they make you ride in races you wil cry-especially after 60-70km I must say I might Have even gotten a trip on my roadbike If It wasnt so GAY.. Kloofnek- The Mast - karbonkelberg(houtbay) those kind of climbs makes me appreciate every last gear on my bike..