sCvHeaVens wrote on 01/16/17 at 1:58pm:


I agree with most everything you said but that. What 1x12 really helps with is having a bigger gear, 34t/36t, in the front for the high end without losing your climbing gears.  I found I liked the 30x42 ratio for some sections in the mountains (all the ones that went "UP" )  But the 30x10 ratio was too easy to spin out on the flats and gradual descents.  Now is that really necessary in the immediate area?  IMO, no.  Is it nice to have in the mountains here or on the west coast?  Yes. 

The Cycle Path wrote on 01/16/17 at 2:27pm:



But that goes back to my point about the chainstay; you can't get a shorter gear b/c your limited by how big you can go with the front ring (usually 34, sometimes 36) on the most modern xc/trail mountain bikes.  Since you cant really go smaller than 10/11 I don't see getting much more out of the 1x12.  That's why I think the higher number of gears the more it starts leaning towards making it easier to climb.  I would like a 36 even on my 1x11 but it wont fit; so there is no reason for me to consider 1x12.   

With that said I have not seen a bike designed for 1x12 in person; maybe you can fit a 40T on those, but I've seen the chainstay issue be a limit for a lot of ppl.

Finding that the 1 x 10 conversion (30 tooth Wolf Tooth front chain ring and 11 x 40 tooth 10 speed conversion cassette) works very well on my FS 29er.  No problem with any of the climbs, descents, fire roads, etc., for any of the CLT area trails including Rocky River Trail.  My 11 x 40 conversion cassette was created from a Shimano 11 x 36 10 speed XT cassette through the subtraction of the 15 and 17 tooth cogs and through the addition of 16 tooth and 40 tooth cogs from Wolf Tooth Components.  This conversion cassette was installed over 2 years ago and it is just now showing visual signs of needing replacement.  I have been mixing my riding up about 50/50 between this bike and a SS over the last year.  My 2 year old chain is just now approaching the replacement wear limit.  The front chain ring is showing minimal wear.  I just placed an order for a Praxis Works 11 x 40 cassette (no conversions cogs required), so looking forward to seeing how this cassette works.  

Plans are to move to Shimano 1 x 11 when my SRAM X0 10 speed clutch derailleur and shifter wear out.  Finding that the 1 x 10 and future state 1 x 11 works extremely well for my riding style and capabilities.  No plans to move back to 2 x system. 

Mine is a 2x11, but only because it was originally a 3x9. I just removed the big ring and upgraded the rear setup. I've been wanting to upgrade the front to a 1x but instead I'm saving the cash for a newer bike anyway. I pulled the big ring off to avoid catching it on rocks and stumps (and I never saw the point of having it anyway).

But with all that said, if I was building the bike from the ground up then I would just go for the 1x setup straight away. That extra low gear is rarely used in this area.

Doc00t wrote on 01/16/17 at 6:16pm:

Challenge accepted!