MTB - 3x9 to 1x11 - worth it?
Discussion
I'm currently refurbing an MTB of mine which hasnt seen much use the last 2 years. Having a gravel go anywhere thing and a road bike in the garage, the MTB has sat and unfortunately gathered dust. Genesis hardtail of about a 2011 vintage. The frame is a good size for me, the Rockshox forks still work well without leaks and aside from requiring a change of tyres, chain and BB its pretty much ready to go. I did wonder though whether its worth stripping it back a bit, getting rid of the front mech and shifter and going to 1x11? I can order the complete kit from Germany for about £150.
Is the change significant or should I just stick with the cheaper option of 3x9 with a new chain and BB?
Is the change significant or should I just stick with the cheaper option of 3x9 with a new chain and BB?
What change are you looking for?
Have you checked what ratios you will lose or gain at each end of the gears?
IMO not having to mess around changing the front cog makes constant gear changes soo much easier and faff free.
My bike came with it but I would hate to ride a mountain bike with two sets of shifters these days.
The only thing you need to watch out for is alignment of the chainring as your bike was not designed for it from the beginning. Some of these conversions can cause more trouble than they are worth if they dont line up properly.
I hope that kit comes with a proper derailleur with clutch and a proper narrow wide chainring.
Also you may need a new rear wheel as I dont think an 11 speed cassette will fit on a 9 speed wheel.
Only you know if the expense is worth it. You clearly like bikes so maybe just wait for you inevitable new MTB purchase and it will come with a nice smooth 1x11 from the outset.
Have you checked what ratios you will lose or gain at each end of the gears?
IMO not having to mess around changing the front cog makes constant gear changes soo much easier and faff free.
My bike came with it but I would hate to ride a mountain bike with two sets of shifters these days.
The only thing you need to watch out for is alignment of the chainring as your bike was not designed for it from the beginning. Some of these conversions can cause more trouble than they are worth if they dont line up properly.
I hope that kit comes with a proper derailleur with clutch and a proper narrow wide chainring.
Also you may need a new rear wheel as I dont think an 11 speed cassette will fit on a 9 speed wheel.
Only you know if the expense is worth it. You clearly like bikes so maybe just wait for you inevitable new MTB purchase and it will come with a nice smooth 1x11 from the outset.
What size wheels has the bike got?
I converted my 26" hardtail from 3x9 to 2x10 a couple of years ago and ended up having to order an SLX chainset from Germany with slightly larger chainrings (no-one in the UK had stock) else I would have ended up with silly low gears as the current stuff is optimised for bigger wheels.
+1 on don't think 11 speed cassette will work on a 9 speed freehub.
I converted my 26" hardtail from 3x9 to 2x10 a couple of years ago and ended up having to order an SLX chainset from Germany with slightly larger chainrings (no-one in the UK had stock) else I would have ended up with silly low gears as the current stuff is optimised for bigger wheels.
+1 on don't think 11 speed cassette will work on a 9 speed freehub.
I did just this a few weeks ago on my old Scott Scale 26" hardtail and converted to a Shimano XT 1x11 group.
The 11 speed cassette should work. Shimano/SRAM MTB 11 and 10 speed cassettes fit straight onto (most) Shimano spline pattern freehubs (usually named 8/9/10 speed). Unless you're looking at getting SRAM XD which will need a specific freehub.
The 11 speed cassette should work. Shimano/SRAM MTB 11 and 10 speed cassettes fit straight onto (most) Shimano spline pattern freehubs (usually named 8/9/10 speed). Unless you're looking at getting SRAM XD which will need a specific freehub.
Edited by option click on Tuesday 12th June 08:48
Thanks for the replies. It's a 26 inch wheel. I did read somewhere that the new Slx stuff would fit a 9 or 10sp hub but I'll be honest, the chainring spacing wasn't a consideration.
I was out on the gravel bike this morning and thought that the mountain bike might be a better prospect in a few places. I think I'll get the MTB serviceable with a couple of bits and see whether it gets any more use.
For ratios, id be less inclined to have a really big gear over a really small one. The type of riding id be doing on the hardtail would likely be slower more technical stuff. The Croix de Fer can do the slightly faster stuff.
I was out on the gravel bike this morning and thought that the mountain bike might be a better prospect in a few places. I think I'll get the MTB serviceable with a couple of bits and see whether it gets any more use.
For ratios, id be less inclined to have a really big gear over a really small one. The type of riding id be doing on the hardtail would likely be slower more technical stuff. The Croix de Fer can do the slightly faster stuff.
Yes MTB tubeless is amazing. Converted my Trek full susser to tubeless after waiting ages for Trek to get another batch of the proper rim tape in stock.
First ride out with tubless I was getting up rooty technical climbs that had always previously defeated me just through the amount of extra grip available.
First ride out with tubless I was getting up rooty technical climbs that had always previously defeated me just through the amount of extra grip available.
Craikeybaby said:
How did you get on?
Going from 3x9 to 1x10 on my hardtail made a big difference. If you haven't already, I'd suggest going tubeless, as that made an even bigger difference.
In a nutshell, I havent. I've kept the 3x9 for the minute until it gets some use (been on hols for last couple of weeks). I've got a gravel bike which is getting a fair bit of mileage but I'm planning to take the MTB to a trail centre soon. Going from 3x9 to 1x10 on my hardtail made a big difference. If you haven't already, I'd suggest going tubeless, as that made an even bigger difference.
Going tubeless will mean i'll need to change wheels wont it or can I convert some non-tubeless?
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