View Full Version : gearing for a 2x11 cx/urban/gravel bike
alexander
10-07-2016, 12:07 PM
i want to make my 1x11 macho man into a more versatile machine. i can't decide on gearing though. the hills aren't crazy around here, but it's gonna be ridden in the city and used as a cx pic bike the most. currently i have a 42 up front and a 11-28 in the rear.
i'm leaning towards a 36/46, because it seems easiest. i think 38/48 would be ideal though.
what do you guys run?
thanks!
ColonelJLloyd
10-07-2016, 12:15 PM
I run 42/28 with 11-32 11s and love it. 24"-105". Makes so much sense for my riding* and the steps are tight and useful.
* which does not involve CX.
TunaAndBikes
10-07-2016, 12:24 PM
i want to make my 1x11 macho man into a more versatile machine. i can't decide on gearing though. the hills aren't crazy around here, but it's gonna be ridden in the city and used as a cx pic bike the most. currently i have a 42 up front and a 11-28 in the rear.
i'm leaning towards a 36/46, because it seems easiest. i think 38/48 would be ideal though.
what do you guys run?
thanks!
I'm leaning towards either 48/34 or 48/36. i'm running 46/36 with and 11-28 right now and find it's pretty great, but i think i spend too much time on the three lowest gears, hence going to 48.
I've also come to notice that on longer very hilly rides, if i hit a steep hill i always bottom out and wish for another speed, hence 34!
I would keep 36 but go with an 12-30 cassette in the rear.
YMMV, and my legs might be the problem, but this is my 2 cents!
ptourkin
10-07-2016, 12:28 PM
I'm leaning towards either 48/34 or 48/36. i'm running 46/36 with and 11-28 right now and find it's pretty great, but i think i spend too much time on the three lowest gears, hence going to 48.
I've also come to notice that on longer very hilly rides, if i hit a steep hill i always bottom out and wish for another speed, hence 34!
I would keep 36 but go with an 12-30 cassette in the rear.
YMMV, and my legs might be the problem, but this is my 2 cents!
My PsychloX is 48-34 with an 11-32. It's fun as a commuter and on trails and I've used it for road rides in a pinch.
alexander
10-07-2016, 04:25 PM
thanks for the input guys!
seems like the 48 is a surefire way to go. i might just go with whatever shows up first for the small ring 34-38
i want to make my 1x11 macho man into a more versatile machine. i can't decide on gearing though. the hills aren't crazy around here, but it's gonna be ridden in the city and used as a cx pic bike the most. currently i have a 42 up front and a 11-28 in the rear.
Why not just use a wider range cassette in the rear, like 11-36 or 11-40? Avoids having to put the front derailleur & chainring on the bike.
icepick_trotsky
10-07-2016, 04:30 PM
Plus side of the 48/38 is that you could do it on a 130bcd crankset, which I know you have plenty of.
justaute
10-07-2016, 10:23 PM
My cx/gravel/rain bike has 46/34. It's working pretty well so far.
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oldpotatoe
10-08-2016, 05:55 AM
i want to make my 1x11 macho man into a more versatile machine. i can't decide on gearing though. the hills aren't crazy around here, but it's gonna be ridden in the city and used as a cx pic bike the most. currently i have a 42 up front and a 11-28 in the rear.
i'm leaning towards a 36/46, because it seems easiest. i think 38/48 would be ideal though.
what do you guys run?
thanks!
Being almost completely subjective, no real way to answer this. I ride with a guy who has a triple and 11-32 in back..I have a 50/36 and 12-25 in back..riding the same places..kinda the ultimate YMMV. If ya 'think' 38-48 is 'ideal', do that.
Lovetoclimb
10-08-2016, 08:46 AM
I got a 46/36 6800 crankset and swapped the 36 for a 34 small ring. Marrying that to a Sram 11-36 cassette gives me a YUGE gear range for grinding gravel here in WNC. I will likely swap the SRAM for an even larger 11-40 XT cassette just because I can.
FYI this is on a Soma Wolverine which is rather heavy combined with a half frame bag and soon a front rack. Turning the pedals up 10+% gravel grades can be difficult.
Why not just use a wider range cassette in the rear, like 11-36 or 11-40? Avoids having to put the front derailleur & chainring on the bike.
I would agree, and not just because we have the same initials :)
Why bother with adding the FD, shifter and finding a double ring crank. Depending on the RD you can run the Shimano 40t cassette (fits on a 10s hub) and you would probably have close to the same range of gears. Especially too if the hills aren't that bad as you say and for CX the single ring is much simpler.
dougefresh
11-30-2016, 11:38 AM
doing some searching for this and think this may be the most relevant thread to reply to.
can somone confirm that a 6800 or 5800 long cage derailleur will work with an XT 11-40 cassette?
I know there are adapters and such to get around this but wanting to know if it will clear that cassette straight out of the box. Thanks,
dEf
The 6800 has a short cage or medium cage (GS). The medium will handle up to a 32t. As you mention the RoadLink will get you better range.
doing some searching for this and think this may be the most relevant thread to reply to.
can somone confirm that a 6800 or 5800 long cage derailleur will work with an XT 11-40 cassette?
I know there are adapters and such to get around this but wanting to know if it will clear that cassette straight out of the box. Thanks,
dEf
DrSpoke
11-30-2016, 01:04 PM
With the 6800 GS, myself and 2 friends are running the SRAM 11-36 w/o any issues and w/o a RoadLink. With a RoadLink, you are likely able to run an 11-40. That should handle the clearance issue but you may still have chain wrap issues depending on what you are running in front.
Interesting. Is that in a 1x or 2x config?
With the 6800 GS, myself and 2 friends are running the SRAM 11-36 w/o any issues and w/o a RoadLink. With a RoadLink, you are likely able to run an 11-40. That should handle the clearance issue but you may still have chain wrap issues depending on what you are running in front.
AJosiahK
11-30-2016, 06:55 PM
I have a compact 50:34 and a 11-28 on my gravel bike for the long rides/climbed and a 40x11/28 for cross
That 1x gearing keeps me pretty happy on most road training rides. Aside from descents that is
oldpotatoe
12-01-2016, 05:52 AM
i want to make my 1x11 macho man into a more versatile machine. i can't decide on gearing though. the hills aren't crazy around here, but it's gonna be ridden in the city and used as a cx pic bike the most. currently i have a 42 up front and a 11-28 in the rear.
i'm leaning towards a 36/46, because it seems easiest. i think 38/48 would be ideal though.
what do you guys run?
thanks!
No real way to answer this as all riders have different abilities, live in different places and ride for different reasons on different rigs.
BUT I'm in Boulder, use a 48/36 and 12-25(Merckx EPS) or 13-26(Moots freewheel) in the rear. But kinda the ultimate YMMV..
Go 38/48 and 11-28 altho a 12-28, with a 18 or 16 depending on cogset, would be way more useful.
charliedid
12-01-2016, 07:10 AM
Why not leave it 1X and just run 36 x 11-36 assuming you have a rear derailleur that will run it?
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