So I currently am set up as a 2x9. 26/36 up front and 11-34 in the rear. Locally it's perfect, but I want to make more trips to the mountains and it's not "low" enough. 

I have been looking at my options. (cheaper the better, cash is limited atm) 
9 speed
thought about swapping to a 12-36 cassette and dropping to a 22 or 24 upfront. this would probably be the cheapest route. My current 9 speed shifter is on it's last leg so it will need to be replaced in the near future.

10 speed
With the newer wider range 10 speed cassettes I was thinking about going that way possibly an 11-40. Seen some options from sunrace that come in aluminum or steel. I'd probably go with steel hoping to get more miles out of it and I'm over 210 lbs in riding gear. I may still want/need a 2x10 up front so this was getting pricey.

11 speed
I learned that my rear hub (hope pro 2 evo 40t) is convertible to a 11 speed. So I started wondering if I am going to change out my set up, is there any reason not to go with the newest option? It's really expensive and I would have the get the absolute cheapest parts, but in the long run (swapping out to better parts over time) would this be the best option?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I'm over 210 with riding gear and use a 1x10 11-36T (32T up front).  Only time It's not fine is the long uphills in the mountains.  If you check online you can get 2x and 3x 10speed cranksets (XT in fact) for $80-90 (that's what I spent on my XT hollowtech II 3x a few months ago).

1X10 will make you stronger and you will learn to use what you have; but if you do a lot of mountain riding I recommend a 1up (or a cassette thats 11-40/42).


11 speed you will have to change out freehub / possible hub and the cranks will be much more expensive than the 10speeds.

Jeff

If you're going to do a 1x do a 1x11.  I've installed many 1Up conversion cogs on cassettes and although some here may like them I never found they performed that well.  SRAM has their newer GX 1X11 that's affordable and works really well.  If you want SHimano instead they have their new 11spd starting in their XT line that will use your existing freehub body.

Me personally?  I like the SRAM 1x11 over the Shimano for one main reason:  Here's a video that explains it in detail.

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THIS FOR THE WIN

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

renoirbud wrote on 12/10/15 at 9:57pm:

traildog wrote on 12/10/15 at 3:38pm:

+2

This is really cheap, easy to do and will give you the low gears you are missing.