Going from 1x to 2x (for gravel and in general)

[benadrian]

Apologies if this has been asked or discussed. I tried searching, but I got error for using too many common words.

In this thread I talk about putting Di2 on my road bike
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=311396
I'm really liking it, and I'm specifically appreciating being on 2x for road riding.

Before I got my road bike, I'd been using a Salsa Warbird with SRAM XPLR (1x) as a road and gravel bike. I swap wheels and it has worked pretty well. For gravel, it's fantastic. For road, it's fine. Now that I have 2x on a nice road bike though, the 1x road limitations are becoming more apparent. I feel like the extreme chain lines, the bigger cog jumps, and the narrow/wide front ring is a notable detriment now that I have a comparison. I don't know how much is real and how much I'm imagining.

So I'm wondering if anyone has switched back to 2x for gravel after being on 1x for a while? If I went 43/30 and 10-36 for front and rear, I'd have more range on both ends. I suppose the only worry would be complications from rugged terrain on a 2x setup. What are your experiences with "switching back."

Thanks!

[Jcgill]

I still prefer 2x for gravel, especially if it will pull double duty as a road bike. I think i would be ok with 1x if I exclusively used my gravel bike for single track type adventures.

[fa63]

I tried 1x for a little while but didn't care for it for similar reasons. I currently ride the combo you described (43/30 chainrings with 10/36 cassette) and have nothing but positive things to say. I have never dropped a chain and some of the gravel rides I do are on the more "rugged" side

[tellyho]

I only do 2x for any bike that will be moving over 14mph.

[biker72]

All of my bikes are 2X. Never got the 1X bug.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by benadrian

Apologies if this has been asked or discussed. I tried searching, but I got error for using too many common words.

In this thread I talk about putting Di2 on my road bike
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=311396
I'm really liking it, and I'm specifically appreciating being on 2x for road riding.

Before I got my road bike, I'd been using a Salsa Warbird with SRAM XPLR (1x) as a road and gravel bike. I swap wheels and it has worked pretty well. For gravel, it's fantastic. For road, it's fine. Now that I have 2x on a nice road bike though, the 1x road limitations are becoming more apparent. I feel like the extreme chain lines, the bigger cog jumps, and the narrow/wide front ring is a notable detriment now that I have a comparison. I don't know how much is real and how much I'm imagining.

So I'm wondering if anyone has switched back to 2x for gravel after being on 1x for a while? If I went 43/30 and 10-36 for front and rear, I'd have more range on both ends. I suppose the only worry would be complications from rugged terrain on a 2x setup. What are your experiences with "switching back."

Thanks!

1X is great for an MTB where everything is either up or down (at least where I live)

Road or gravel bike = 2X. Hands down.

[benadrian]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

1X is great for an MTB where everything is either up or down (at least where I live)

Road or gravel bike = 2X. Hands down.

Most gravel rides in the L.A. area are basically MTB rides on the utility truck trails; still either up or down. However, I also use this bike for brevets and centuries, where I just want a nice 'n' easy road bike that feels more like a highway cruiser rather than a sports car.

Also, I don't go above 45mm for tires, so I think I can get away with the SRAM 2x wide.

I'm feeling a 2x.

[Alistair]

I went back to 2x after trying 1x on gravel. Much prefer the 2x for the riding I do (East coast gravel, with lots of pavement thrown in).

If I was on the west coast riding forest roads and not much pavement, 1x might be better.

[Duvivr6]

I'll echo what other have mentioned.

I tried 1x on my GRX gravel bike with a 40 or 42 up front and a 11-42 out back. It was alright, I live in mountainous terrain where we can do 3k to 4k ft in a 50 miles ride.

Much prefer the 2x 48/31 and an 11-40 cassette. It's just more flexible and better geared for gravel IMO. 1x is good for simplicity but I'm happy with 2x.

[prototoast]

I really like 1x with a 48t front and a 10-52 rear. Chain lines aren't perfect, but range is great.

But barring that, 2x is fine too.

[hkgmatt]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

1X is great for an MTB where everything is either up or down (at least where I live)

My MTB from the 90s is still 3X. Don’t know how I could live with less.