1x8 or 1x9 Road Riders?

[MMcG]

Are any of you guys and gals running a single ring up front on your road bikes/gravel grinder/commuter bikes?

If so, what is your set up and how do you like it?

thanks in advance!

Mark

[xjoex]

I am running a 1x9 on my commuter, and have for years now.

With Shimano I just ran a single 36 up front and a 12x32 in the back.

With my new commuter it came with sram X7 and when the derailleur gets ice on it, it tends to drop the chain, so I added a Paul's Chain Keeper. Fixes the problem!

-Joe

[MMcG]

And that is good for any steep climbing you may have to do in Pittsburgh?

[spacemen3]

I run a 1x6 with a 48t chainring and a Campy indexed downtube shifter. I use a TA Alize track crank and TA Kheops cogs. I love it. You have to be aggressive on climbs, though.

[paulrad9]

A 1X9, 1X6, etc. can be challenging if you commute with loaded panniers and face some hills as lowest gear puts you around 45 inches with a 12-25 cassette. If you want to avoid a front derailleur, a better option would be to go with a Nexus hub, preferably 7 or 8 speed, both of which can get you closer to 25 inches.

[rugbysecondrow]

I run a 1x9 on my travel bike (Ritchey Breakaway), 46t with 12-25.

I have a bar end shifter for the rear that can be either index or friction. Since it is a travel bike, I wanted to be simple, so only a RD and friction so I don't have to fuss with indexing being off a little from jostling and travel.

Anyway, I like it for a travel bike, but not certain if I would do it otherwise.

Just like anything else, you can condition yourself for your surroundings, so I wouldn't worry about the gearing. I run a 1X9 on my MTB, so it is comfortable for me.

Paul

[xjoex]

And that is good for any steep climbing you may have to do in Pittsburgh?

Oh yeah, its all I need. I use it on the hills every day with no problems at all.

You can't see in this pic, but I used a 36 in the front and a 32 in the back for this tour, plus tons and tons of shopping and commuting.
http://boulder.inotion.com/joe/2008/06-13_cando/DSCN2573.JPG

-Joe

[Volant]

I run a 3x1, my version of a "tringle-speed", 48-36-26x18.

[TimD]

While staying in Ludlow and visiting Mountain Cycology I noted one of the mechanic's bikes out front with a double ring crank and FD. Friction downtube shifter. Chain tension was maintained by an RD fixed at the correct offset.

The frame was lugged steel (of course).

Pretty cool setup, I thought.

[Tom Matchak]

My favorite bike carries a 1x9 drivetrain, wih a 42T ring and an 11x34 cassette. That's 33-103 gear inches. Started with a DA indexing DT lever, which has since been moved to a bar-end pod.

I've used this drivetrain on everything from local club outings to a couple of transcontinental rides, from big passes in the Rockies to the notches of New Hampshire. There's just something special about such a simple machine.

[Oirad]

1 x 6 (42 x 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23) on my '84 Peter Mooney. -- dario