1X Gravel gearing: what works for you?

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by BikeNY

I'm coming from a similar place as far as background and goals, so I build up my latest 'Allroad' bike with 1x gearing. I've got a 36t in the front and an 11-46t cassette in the back. Yes, gear jumps are a bit larger than is ideal, so I'll slow down or speed up a bit if needed. I really like having the low gear to comfortably spin up the steep stuff when needed, and don't miss the top end at all. If I'm going over 25 MPH, I'm coasting! On another note, I'm really enjoying my Schwlabe G-One 650x2.35 tires!

That sounds like an ideal set-up. Maybe a 38t in front. You're using Shimano, I assume? Sounds like an XT cassette. I would've preferred Shimano (and asked about it on the Forum) but it all sounded to complicated. And I like simple.

Another reason for the 1X

[HTupolev]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

For the majority of it, I was cruising along with a guy in the midst of a major sufferfest. He had a 53/39 up front and an 11-25 in back (I asked) Old school set-up on a carbon whippet. He looked miserable. Of course, he kicked my ass on the flats, and I had to cruise on the descents with a 30t, but I really liked climbing that hill.

I'll take the occasional jumps in gearing in favor of a more enjoyable ride.

Not that I think you're wrong to use 1x, but I don't see what someone using a 2x system that's too highly-geared has to do with that. If I built a 2x system for mountainous gravel riding, it wouldn't be 53-39 11-25, but probably something more like 42-26 11-30 or thereabouts.

[Jaybee]

FWIW, there is no reason you can't run a Shimano 11 sp cassette with your otherwise SRAM 11sp setup. Just pick the cogs that work for you. I do the opposite, running a SRAM 11-36 on an otherwise Shimano setup.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by HTupolev

Not that I think you're wrong to use 1x, but I don't see what someone using a 2x system that's too highly-geared has to do with that. If I built a 2x system for mountainous gravel riding, it wouldn't be 53-39 11-25, but probably something more like 42-26 11-30 or thereabouts.

The Fondo I was referring to was on pavement exclusively. That experience sold me on a 1X with a larger cassette. And to avoid using a flat bar for extended road riding.

[HTupolev]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

The Fondo I was referring to was on pavement exclusively.

I still don't see your reasoning. If someone is bottomed out in a 39-25, the reason they're miserable is that their gearing is too high, not that they have two chainrings.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

FWIW, there is no reason you can't run a Shimano 11 sp cassette with your otherwise SRAM 11sp setup. Just pick the cogs that work for you. I do the opposite, running a SRAM 11-36 on an otherwise Shimano setup.

Really? A Shimano cassette is compatible with a SRAM Force derailleur? I didn't know that. If I can run an XT (or XTR) 11-46 with a Force derailleur that would solve a bunch of things ...

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by HTupolev

I still don't see your reasoning. If someone is bottomed out in a 39-25, the reason they're miserable is that their gearing is too high, not that they have two chainrings.

You're correct. He was overgeared. My spell-check just suggested "overheated." And he was that, also. As I said, the smallest cassette I'll run is an 11-34, and, even for pure road rides, I like something bigger.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

Really? A Shimano cassette is compatible with a SRAM Force derailleur? I didn't know that. If I can run an XT (or XTR) 11-46 with a Force derailleur that would solve a bunch of things ...

Yeah, the cog-cog spacing is so close between the various manufacturers on 11 speed that anyone's cassette will work on anyone else's shifter/derailleur combo. Even Campy, but they don't make cassettes large enough for your application. Also, the SRAM 10-42 requires an XD freehub driver, which can limit hub choice.

Shimano 11-46 cassettes have a nasty jump from 37 to 46 on the last two cogs. This might be fine if you want tighter spacing on the bottom 9 cogs (11-32) but if you're looking for a smoother transition to the bailout gears, Sunrace 11 speed cassettes go 36-40-46 across the top, at the price of bigger jumps in the middle of the range.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

Yeah, the cog-cog spacing is so close between the various manufacturers on 11 speed that anyone's cassette will work on anyone else's shifter/derailleur combo. Even Campy, but they don't make cassettes large enough for your application. Also, the SRAM 10-42 requires an XD freehub driver, which can limit hub choice.

Shimano 11-46 cassettes have a nasty jump from 37 to 46 on the last two cogs. This might be fine if you want tighter spacing on the bottom 9 cogs (11-32) but if you're looking for a smoother transition to the bailout gears, Sunrace 11 speed cassettes go 36-40-46 across the top, at the price of bigger jumps in the middle of the range.

Good to know. Thx. e*13 makes a 9-44 that might work as well, then...
Just checked the SRAM site. The "official" capacity of the Force derailleur is a 42t. But other people on the Forum have had success with an 11-40 Shimano cassette with a GS 8050 derailleur. Don't know if you can push the limits with SRAM the same way ...

[BikeNY]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

That sounds like an ideal set-up. Maybe a 38t in front. You're using Shimano, I assume? Sounds like an XT cassette. I would've preferred Shimano (and asked about it on the Forum) but it all sounded to complicated. And I like simple.

Another reason for the 1X

I am not using anything Shimano on this setup actually. As noted by somebody else, with 11 speed, you can pretty much mix and match to your heart desire.

I'm using the already mentioned Sunrace 11-46t cassette for the exact reason mentioned, better jumps between the biggest cogs. I'm actually using an SRAM Etap WiFli rear derailleur(with a WT Roadlink) for shifting duties, works great!

[Spdntrxi]

Currently I am 40 front 10-44 back

Toying with idea of 9-46 out back ... and having another more road setup which 46 front 11-40

[John H.]

E Thirteen just released a bunch more sizes in their 11 speed cassettes.
In addition to the 9-46, they also not have 9-34, 9-39, and 9-42

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by John H.

E Thirteen just released a bunch more sizes in their 11 speed cassettes.
In addition to the 9-46, they also not have 9-34, 9-39, and 9-42

Really intrigued by that 9-42. I thinks it's a ten speed, though.

[John H.]

Nope- 11 speed according to their site and the email I received this morning.
https://bythehive.com/products/xcx-p...speed-cassette

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

Really intrigued by that 9-42. I thinks it's a ten speed, though.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by John H.

Nope- 11 speed according to their site and the email I received this morning.
https://bythehive.com/products/xcx-p...speed-cassette

You're right! Good find!