1X VS 2X which is better

[Thejingerr]

1x 36t with 10-36 (10,11,12,13,15,17,19,21,24,28,32,36)

Pros: 1x, easy climbing and enough speed for flat
Cons : Big Gapes low speed when descending ±1% watt penalty vs 2x

OR

2x 46-33t with 10-33 (10,11,12,13,14,15,17,19,21,24,28,33)

Pros : Small gapes and high speed when descending
Cons : Additional details

• 1x (36T with 10-36) good enough for 12sp bikepacking?

[spdntrxi]

because I'm not racing for a podium and tend not to be cadence sensitive 1x is fine for me.

1:1 ratio ok for backpacking?.. depends on steepness of terrain and how much you plan to carry. For me it would not be enough of a low gear.

[kode54]

Depends on gravel and chunky stuff as well as the pitch of terrain.

I don't have too much steep gravel hills around me but when I do, I wish I had more than a 40T and 9/36.
80 pavement, 20 gravel for me.

[Thejingerr]

What about Gapes ? Is it matter if cassete 9-36 or 9-40 ?

[robertbb]

It's all about maximising the gape.


Sorry, wrong forum.

[spdntrxi]

It's all about maximising the gape.


Sorry, wrong forum.

you aussies always going big

[Zdlux]

For me, 1x is my weapon of choice. It's more more simple and I don't feel like I'm missing out with a single in front.

Currently running 40t with 11x42 and will probably switch to a 10x46 cassette soon. I don't care about top speed and tend to do a lot of steep climbing.

I would definitely run something easier than 1:1 for bikepacking but like someone else said, it depends on your terrain.

[robertbb]

It's all about maximising the gape.


Sorry, wrong forum.

you aussies always going big

Yep. Stick it in the big ring and just grind

[Js2]

I prefer 2x, similar range minus the cadence gaps. For pure off-road I find 1x to be good enough, but I do miss it big time on road rides (solo/group). I guess I'm still a roadie at heart haha

[gwerziou]

1x is wonderfully simple and linear, especially great for shorter rides, but the gaps are tiring and for longer rides 2x gives you enormous range and versatility without having to run a dinner-plate cassette. I'm now switching to 2x from using 1x for several years. I was initially intending to switch to 2x shortly after getting the bike the 1x came with, but ended up enjoying it so much that it took me more than 3 years to make the switch.

[fourfa]

1:1 bottom gear nowhere near low enough for bikepacking, unless you like walking or are touring flat farm roads. Not enough information provided to answer the question.

If I was actually using my gravel bike as a mountain bike (driving to trails, hammering challenging terrain, needing 2.1"+ rubber) I'd definitely opt for 1x and dropper on left shifter. Instead I ride long paved miles from my house to shortish trails, I tour and bikepack, and I switch to road wheels and do lots of pure road days, all on the same bike. So 2X is much more versatile for me, hands down. I added a dropper lever inside the left drop and it's good enough.

[ultimobici]

Prefer 2x. 44/30 x 10-36 with XTR. Works a treat.


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[Steve Curtis]

To the op.

Only you can decide. Only you can tell if you can manage gaps between ratios and the terrain/ weight you'll be carrying.
If you're unsure you should probably stick with what you know.

I went x1 before it was a thing. Probably seven years ago on my road bikes. In that time I've lived in London, Dublin and Geneva so a huge mix of terrain. No problem, just swap cassette out chainring to suit. Or just have a double that works most places.

[fourfa]

Prefer 2x. 44/30 x 10-36 with XTR. Works a treat.

What 10-36 cassette? 2x12 with sram XG-1270?

[ultimobici]

Prefer 2x. 44/30 x 10-36 with XTR. Works a treat.

What 10-36 cassette? 2x12 with sram XG-1270?

11 speed S-Road from aliexpress.


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