Gravel Gearing

[John H.]

Seems like you are not geared low enough for most offroad applications.
If you want to stay 1x and keep it simple, the 10-44 cassette makes sense.
The issue I have seen with XPLR is chain retention. The derailleur spring is not as strong as the XX1 derailleur. For this reason, I lean towards with XX1 derailleur and cassette combination.

[Hilltopperny]

Originally Posted by John H.

If you want to stay 1x and keep it simple, the 10-44 cassette makes sense.

The issue I have seen with XPLR is chain retention. The derailleur spring is not as strong as the XX1 derailleur. For this reason, I lean towards with XX1 derailleur and cassette combination.

I have noticed this as well. The eagle derailleurs have much better chain retention and I use them on my more adventure/gravel bike set ups over the XPLR which is on my 650b allroad build. I wonder why they went with a weaker spring on XPLR? Weight savings?

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[weisan]

Originally Posted by weisan

timely, this is what I will be working on today:

GRX di2 1x conversion: swap out 11-34 casssette with 11-52, replace deraileur cage, 44t single ring on SRAM Red bb30 crank



For comparison:

11-34 vs 11-52


xt long cage vs extended long cage

Conversion completed.
Shifting smooth and easy

[ridethecliche]

Hah, interesting weisan!

Originally Posted by prototoast

42 is the smallest I would ever go for a chainring for gravel. I actually like 44 or 46 more.

But definitely a bigger cassette. 10-44 minimum and 10-50/52 is even better.

Is there any reason for the chainring size? Is it based on what you're riding these days? Seems like an interesting limitation i.e. not going below a 42.

[Likes2ridefar]

Originally Posted by ridethecliche

Hah, interesting weisan!



Is there any reason for the chainring size? Is it based on what you're riding these days? Seems like an interesting limitation i.e. not going below a 42.

It should be dependent on the rider and the terrain. I used 42t 10x50 on my bike the last few years and also wouldn’t go smaller. I can ride up incredibly steeep terrain in 42x50 and can’t imagine needing any more. I’d imagine stronger and faster riders would probably want 44 or even greater.

[weisan]

Originally Posted by NHAero

Not sure it's a bill of goods but we have differing preferences so the choices differ. I'm with you on 2X. My 44-28 with 11-34 cassette has the same low gear as a 42 with a 10-51 cassette, a very slightly lower top gear, and much closer gear spacing.

Here's the way I look at it.

Because of an accident that happened more than 35 years ago, my back got tweaked and thereby all the connecting muscles and tissues. My hip was never the same again.

If I stay at the harder gear, I am putting out more torque, and also putting more strain on my muscle groups. As I get older, that becomes a problem especially with a sub-par hip. So, easier gear it is.

[witcombusa]

Originally Posted by Dave

If you want really low 2x gearing.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=300474

Yep, dump the 1x crank.