Double Gearing for Gravel

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ultimobici
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by ultimobici

I’m putting together a gravel/cross/commuter for this winter. Having tried 1x a few times I am sure it’s not for me. So I am looking at hearing options for a 2x setup.

Looking for feedback on gearing options that people have used. I’m looking at either 46/36 x 11-36 using a Dura Ace 9100 & XTR Di2 or Absolute Black 46/30 x 11-30 with Dura Ace Di2 but I’m not sure about the oval rings

Most of my riding will be British bridleways & tarmac roads with a bit of hacking around woods in winter.



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Last edited by ultimobici on Fri Jun 01, 2018 7:24 am, edited 1 time in total.

jeanjacques
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by jeanjacques

If you don't like 1x, why put a cassette with the same big gap ? I was also with 1x, these gaps made me crazy on road, so I switched for the only option that still have the 16t cog: Sram 11-28 cassette. And even with this, the jump from 19 to 22 isn't pleasant. Maybe change for a Mich Primato custom cassette (19-21-24-28 or 24-27): https://thecycleclinic.co.uk/products/m ... imano-sram

And the main point is to adapt the front chain rings with a 46-30 (Absolute Blacks or Rotor Spidering). It's the same range as a cassette that starts at 12 with a 50-34.

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LionelB
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by LionelB

1x sucks. I have 50/34 11-36 on my gravel bike.

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ultimobici
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by ultimobici

jeanjacques wrote:If you don't like 1x, why put a cassette with the same big gap ? I was also with 1x, these gaps made me crazy on road, so I switched for the only option that still have the 16t cog: Sram 11-28 cassette. And even with this, the jump from 19 to 22 isn't pleasant. Maybe change for a Mich Primato custom cassette (19-21-24-28 or 24-27): https://thecycleclinic.co.uk/products/m ... imano-sram

And the main point is to adapt the front chain rings with a 46-30 (Absolute Blacks or Rotor Spidering). It's the same range as a cassette that starts at 12 with a 50-34.
Point taken in the wide cassette.

I was thinking of using 11-25 for commuting & general use with the 11-30 for bridleway & cross use. With limited movement in one ankle I need the lower gear for off road.


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zmjones
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by zmjones

ultimobici wrote:
Fri Jun 01, 2018 1:42 pm
jeanjacques wrote:If you don't like 1x, why put a cassette with the same big gap ? I was also with 1x, these gaps made me crazy on road, so I switched for the only option that still have the 16t cog: Sram 11-28 cassette. And even with this, the jump from 19 to 22 isn't pleasant. Maybe change for a Mich Primato custom cassette (19-21-24-28 or 24-27): https://thecycleclinic.co.uk/products/m ... imano-sram

And the main point is to adapt the front chain rings with a 46-30 (Absolute Blacks or Rotor Spidering). It's the same range as a cassette that starts at 12 with a 50-34.
Point taken in the wide cassette.

I was thinking of using 11-25 for commuting & general use with the 11-30 for bridleway & cross use. With limited movement in one ankle I need the lower gear for off road.


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dirt/gravel roads in general can be much steeper and of course the terrain slows you down too, and the bikes are heavier. so i don't think that is a valid critique unless 34-32 is enough for you to get up the steepest shit you are likely to ride.

i run 50-34 x 11-40. i rarely use the 34-40 outside of 20%+ (which does happen about once a month), but it is a good setup. the gaps are really not that annoying.

with di2 i'd get the new r8000 gs rd with a clutch, and either run their new 11-34 cassette or an 11-40 (which will be fine with the b-screw turned in a bit) depending on my needs.

jeanjacques
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by jeanjacques

Big cassette mean long cage and clutch can be welcome. If the cassette is smaller, short cage derailleur whitout clutch is fine for gravel.
And for gravel climbing days, 46/30 crankset with 11-32 cassette (with or whitout Road Link, depends the derailleur).
But if the 50-11 is needed, I follow the other answer.

emotive
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by emotive

I had a Gravel bike with 52/36 and 11-28 for commuting wheels, and 11-36 for gravel wheels. I appreciate the 1:1 ratio for staying seated on 20%+ gravel climbs, but only use that a few times per year.

I just sold that bike today and am building a lighter gravel bike now. I'm keen on the Easton EC90SL 32/47 at only 540g, and a Dura Ace 9100 with 11-30 cassette. Not quite 1:1 but close, and the next bike bike will weigh a fair bit less so it may be enough gearing. If I need more gearing, I will grab the Ultegra RX clutched derailleur when it is released and an 11-34 cassette.

For the road wheels i will run a 11-25 cassette.

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wheelsONfire
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by wheelsONfire

Easton ec 90 sl, custom machined spider from kent eriksen (chainline made to suit 12*142 perfect 46-47mm pending on chainrings),
44/34 wickwerks cx chainrings, Sram 11-36 pg-1170 cassette.
Drilled another hole in 6870 GD RD, for more tension of tension spring.
Sugino mt-ox kit to lower FD enough to sit properly over large chainring.

Usual chainline to fit 135 - 12*142 is 45-45.5mm.
To be optimized for 12*142, 46-47mm

Using 6800 crank, i had alot of issues with chain jumping off at the inside.
When i changed to this setup, zero issues.
No need for clutch, the new chain catcher doesn't even have a hairline scratch on it.
No chainslap what so ever.
Bikes:

Ax Lightness Vial EVO Race (2019.01.03)
Open *UP* (2016.04.14)
Paduano Racing Fidia (kind of shelved)


Ex bike; Vial EVO D, Vial EVO Ultra, Scott Foil, Paduano ti bike.

jeanjacques
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by jeanjacques

Seem to be complicate and with the disadvantage of a small big rings and not the advantage of the small one ?
Note that the sram 11-36 is 370g with nearly the same two teeth jump of the 10-42.

For the chainline, some crankset manufacturer already make it with 142mm in mind like Rotor with the new Aldhu (600g). 50-34 but with the possibility to have it oval. Sturdy crankset well in line with a gravel build.

Other possbility, a friend use a standard 110mm bcd crankset with Specialite TA 33t iner ring (50t for the big one) and 11-32 cassette.

boots2000
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by boots2000

With the gears that you mention you will neot need an XTR rear derailleuer.
Ultegra 8000 will cover it perfectly.

I also like a double for gravel- I run a 34/50 and an XTR 11-40 cassette. GS Ultegra covers this perfectly- I will be moving to the cluth derailleur as soon as it is availavle.

FWIW- I did a gravel race yesterday. Many riders were struggling on climbs because they were over-geared due to 1x shifitng systems.
By the last climb- Many were wallking (there were multiple distances so the walkers were from the shorter events).

elzilcho
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by elzilcho

I'm running a 48/33 up front with an 11-32 cassette. TA Zephyr chainrings, they're badged as 9/10 speed but work with 11 (the inner width didn't change from 9 to 11) and the 33 is the smallest that will fit on a 110bcd (I was set on using a power2max spider). 11-32 gets you closeish spacing through most of the cassette. I used this setup for DK200 this year and was able to crawl up the climbs without going too deep and still bomb the descents.

Marin
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by Marin

boots2000 wrote:
Sun Jun 03, 2018 4:08 pm
they were over-geared due to 1x shifitng systems.
They were overgeared because of wrong chainring choice. It's no problem getting useful gear range with 1x, but for some reason manufacturers and riders prioritize being able to pedal to 70kph over being able to climb seated on 15% grades :noidea:

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ultimobici
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by ultimobici

Thanks for all the feedback. I’ve decided on 46/30 on the front coupled with an 11-25 on 700c cross wheels and 11-28 or 30 on 650b Gravel King Tubeless.

So, given this decision, what options are there on the crank front? I’ve been looking at the following

* Dura Ace 9100 with Absolute Black 46/30 oval rings
* Easton EC90 with Easton 46/30 dm gravel rings
* XTR M985 with an aftermarket 46 outer

Any comments ?


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Marin
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by Marin

XTR will have a wider Q Factor. Don't the AB 46/30 mess with the chainline?

Rotor and FSA make a 46/30 too I think.

I used road triple cranks with 2 TA rings (inner/middle) when I ran 46/30, that setup is now on my wife's road bike.

jeanjacques
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by jeanjacques

Rotor 3D+ and 46/30 Spidering: 429g (170mm) + 144g = 573g.

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