11 speed chainring on a 12 speed crank

[Tony Starks]

I'm slowly (as funds allow) upgrading my bike. Everything is currently 11 speed deore.

It looks like with drive trains you kind of have to do the whole lot at once, I was hoping to go slx as I'm not close to the skill level to need much more.

All the SLX and up cranks and drivetrains seem to 12 speed. It it possible to get an 11 speed 30t chainring and put it on or does it need all new everything?

[Domski86]

What's wrong with your 11 speed stuff? If you're already 1x just leave the cranks and try it, will probably work fine. 12 speed shimano mtb uses a totally different rear hub type (microspline) so if you're planning on keeping current wheels you need to make sure there's even a microspline freehub available.

In all honesty it's not worth it. I built a new bike with 12 speed (mid pandemic) and the only benefit is a slightly smaller 10t cog and slightly larger 51t cog.

[thepritch]

Tony Starks said:

I'm slowly (as funds allow) upgrading my bike. Everything is currently 11 speed deore.

It looks like with drive trains you kind of have to do the whole lot at once, I was hoping to go slx as I'm not close to the skill level to need much more.

All the SLX and up cranks and drivetrains seem to 12 speed. It it possible to get an 11 speed 30t chainring and put it on or does it need all new everything?

I’m being a bit dim, but if you’re upgrading to 12 speed, why are you wanting to putting on an 11 speed chainring? Is it purely because you’re upgrading cranks first, and want to run a ‘hybrid’ drivetrain till funds allow you to upgrade the rear derailleur?

I’m not up to date with 12 speed trains, but in the past I’ve gone from 10 to 11spd with the same cranks (rotor 3D - Road) and had no issues with chain line etc.

[Mars]

The chainring doesn't know know or care how many sprockets you have on the hub. The only consideration is that you have appropriately narrow sprocket teeth to fit inside the chain plates which are narrower on a 12-speed chain than an 11-speed.

[Tony Starks]

thepritch said:

I’m being a bit dim, but if you’re upgrading to 12 speed, why are you wanting to putting on an 11 speed chainring? Is it purely because you’re upgrading cranks first, and want to run a ‘hybrid’ drivetrain till funds allow you to upgrade the rear derailleur?

I’m not up to date with 12 speed trains, but in the past I’ve gone from 10 to 11spd with the same cranks (rotor 3D - Road) and had no issues with chain line etc.

Chainrings seem quite an easy swap out. And for 11 speed now, there seems to be nothing other than 11 speed deore and 175mm cranks. Everything else is all 12 speed, so if I wanted to try shorter cranks or better shifters, then it's 12 speed.

The other option is build up a pile of parts in the shed until I have everything needed (but who wants to waiting that long lol).

Someone on YT swapped out 11s deore for XT cranks. But it's an old video and it doesn't elaborate on how well it worked

[dave123456]

Domski86 said:

What's wrong with your 11 speed stuff? If you're already 1x just leave the cranks and try it, will probably work fine. 12 speed shimano mtb uses a totally different rear hub type (microspline) so if you're planning on keeping current wheels you need to make sure there's even a microspline freehub available.

In all honesty it's not worth it. I built a new bike with 12 speed (mid pandemic) and the only benefit is a slightly smaller 10t cog and slightly larger 51t cog.

Agree. I have (or had) a 22 speed giant trance that I converted to 1x as it made sense for the type of riding I do, not sure I’d bother going 12 speed.

Personally I’d put the cash aside, keep on top of maintenance, including regular replacement of chains, and then go with a new bike when the time is right.

Although in fairness I’m 46, and that’s the sort of thing my father would have told me 30 years ago…

[OutInTheShed]

Tony Starks said:

Chainrings seem quite an easy swap out. And for 11 speed now, there seems to be nothing other than 11 speed deore and 175mm cranks. Everything else is all 12 speed, so if I wanted to try shorter cranks or better shifters, then it's 12 speed.

The other option is build up a pile of parts in the shed until I have everything needed (but who wants to waiting that long lol).

Someone on YT swapped out 11s deore for XT cranks. But it's an old video and it doesn't elaborate on how well it worked

AIUI, Shimano don't keep making the various quality levels in the various speeds, so e.g. 10 speed XTR will become 'obsolete' once 11 speed XTR is mainstream. Old info on the web can get confusing.
If you don't want to keep up with the white heat of leading edge kit, it's easier if you work on part numbers.
If you want 11 speed with a higher bling level then there is a lot of new-old-stock about.

I can't see any performance advantage in running a 12 speed chainring with an 11 speed chain, so it seems to me you would be just wearing the chainring ahead of needing it to go with the 12 speed chain and cassette.

[GravelBen]

Tony Starks said:

Chainrings seem quite an easy swap out. And for 11 speed now, there seems to be nothing other than 11 speed deore and 175mm cranks. Everything else is all 12 speed, so if I wanted to try shorter cranks or better shifters, then it's 12 speed.

I've had the same dilemma, I have Deore 11-speed (M5100 11-51t which is plenty of range), does the job fine in general but the OEM Deore cranks are 175mm and pretty heavy lumps.

I'd like to try shorter cranks at some stage and would upgrade to something lighter if I do change - I *think* Shimano 12-speed has the same chainline so I should be ok running 12-speed cranks and chainring with the 11-speed, but I haven't done enough research on it to be sure.

[Tony Starks]

GravelBen said:

I've had the same dilemma, I have Deore 11-speed (M5100 11-51t which is plenty of range), does the job fine in general but the OEM Deore cranks are 175mm and pretty heavy lumps.

I'd like to try shorter cranks at some stage and would upgrade to something lighter if I do change - I *think* Shimano 12-speed has the same chainline so I should be ok running 12-speed cranks and chainring with the 11-speed, but I haven't done enough research on it to be sure.

That's my thinking, I'd like to go a bit shorter.in the crank. But as we're both in NZ choice is either criminally over priced or non-existent

[Cats_pyjamas]

It will be fine, I run a 10spd chain/gears on 11spd chainset on my commuter hack roadie.

[thepritch]

Tony Starks said:

Chainrings seem quite an easy swap out. And for 11 speed now, there seems to be nothing other than 11 speed deore and 175mm cranks. Everything else is all 12 speed, so if I wanted to try shorter cranks or better shifters, then it's 12 speed.

The other option is build up a pile of parts in the shed until I have everything needed (but who wants to waiting that long lol).

Someone on YT swapped out 11s deore for XT cranks. But it's an old video and it doesn't elaborate on how well it worked

Ah ha. Thanks. Makes sense. Thought I was being dim!