Anyone on 1X9 or 1X10 (MTB)

[nickfrog]

I've made the switch this year and it's brilliant. I am a bit older than I used to be so not using the big ring much so I thought I would go 2x9 but then also realised I wasn't using the granny much either so compromised with a 30t single ring and no front mech / shifter.

It's like riding your first bike again !

I have effectively lost my shortest and longest gear compared to 3x9 but that's OK, I don't particularly enjoy speed on non-technical descents nor do any road riding.

As for hills, I suppose it might make me a bit fitter (eventually).

[Fluffsri]

I was running a 1x10 Onone Ibred. Even being unfit I hardly walked anywhere, loved it! I see a few 2014 bikes are coming through 1x10.

[nickfrog]

Oh really ? Which ones ?

It makes total sense for many riders, with the benefits of less weight and easier maintenance/cleaning.

[bert11]

I run a 1x8 hybrid if that helps?

[P-Jay]

Been running my Spicy 1x10 for a month or so now and I love it, really pushed on my fitness and speed too.

Actually, to my shame I actually still have a granny fitted as I've been too tight to buy a device and get a single specific ring, but I haven't used it.

One thing I've had to get used to is going harder to make it easier. On every steep climbs where I've felt I've needed a lower gear, I started to really muscle it, left----right----left-----right instead of spinning, it KILLS me, I've had to learn to go harder to get the crank up to a speed where I'm actually cycling again and it becomes much easier.

[nickfrog]

I never fitted a device and I haven't dropped the chain once despite technical rocky / rooty stuff. But I have a specific non-ramped ring plus a short cage giving me good chain tension.

[Smartboy]

Not tried this but would find it difficult to ditch my 3 x 10 setup as I like having the range 'just-in-case'.

However, saying that, I can't remember the last time I needed to use the slowest climbing gear (granny 24 x 38 rear).

I do use the road ring (42 front x 11 rear) on the road-ride to the local trails a lot though, so would miss not having that available.

Do 1 x 10 setups suffer from excessive chain-wear through 'twisting' of the chain?

I am always careful not to use the extreme opposites of chainring / cassette ratios to avoid chain twist and therefore increasing the longevity of the chain and rings... but is that just an old-wives tale?

[nickfrog]

No you're quite right not to "cross" the chain. I wouldn't use more than 6 rear ratios or so on either the granny or the big ring on a 3x10. But 1x10 is centred on where the "middle ring was" so no more wear than you would have with a middle ring. However the single ring will wear quicker as obviously it does all the work.

[Fluffsri]

As for chain wear, not really as you dont spend all your time at the extremes of the cassette. I was runing a middleburn ring and after 8 months of use its in very good condition, it very sandy here as well so I kept on top of cleaning and lubing.

[tjdixon911]

I've been running a 1x9 set-up with a e-thirteen chain device for the past 2.5 years, I'm running a modified xt triple up front (middle ring only, all excess parts (granny ring fixings) grinded off to work with the chain device) I've not run a single specific chain ring but am currently replacing the chain, cassette and chain ring as it is a bit worn.

I've had no problems running mine, I do live in a fairly flat part of the country but I have run the same set up at Dalby, Grizdale and around Wales and only the steepest of hills have stopped me...

[Pablo16v]

My 1x9 is cheating slightly I'm running a hammerschmidt crank. If it was a little bit lighter it would be the perfect set up.