Two wheelsets (grav and road) gearing

[calumfindlay]

Looking for some advice on gearing for my second wheelset. On my gravel bike I run a 1x 11, with a 11-42t cassette and a 42t chainring. This gearing has been ok for most of my gravel riding however, a lower gear would be better for some of the longer climbs, and would keep me out of the 40-60 cadence area for some bigger hills.

I have just bought a second wheelset that I intend to use for my winter road wheelset. Initially i was going to look for a 11-36t cassette or 11-42t, the high gear and chain line isn't really an issue for me logging winter miles.

Now that I have the wheelset and I'm starting to shop around for cassettes I'm considering a mullet setup for my gravel wheelset, 11-50t, using a wolf tooth goat and my existing grx rx812 derailleur, and using the old 11-42t on my winter road set up. I know I would also have to get a new, longer chain with this..

Has anyone done anything similar or does this seem like a bad idea??

[CampagYOLO]

How about changing the chainring to a 40 tooth one, putting the 11-42 on the gravel wheeleet then putting either a SRAM 10-42 or E*Thirteen 9-39 on the winter road wheeleet?

Both options would require a XDR driver on the winter road wheeleet. With either you could get away with using the same chain.

Even in the winter I'd spin out 42/11 too often on the road and they'll give a better climbing gear for the gravel.

[pdlpsher1]

If you want the best of low and high gearing for gravel, nothing beats a 2x setup. I’m currently running 48/31 chainrings and a 11-40 cassette. The 815 RD doesn’t need a RoadLink for this to work. Shifting is perfect.


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[calumfindlay]

How about changing the chainring to a 40 tooth one, putting the 11-42 on the gravel wheeleet then putting either a SRAM 10-42 or E*Thirteen 9-39 on the winter road wheeleet?

Both options would require a XDR driver on the winter road wheeleet. With either you could get away with using the same chain.

Even in the winter I'd spin out 42/11 too often on the road and they'll give a better climbing gear for the gravel.

Hhhmm that's not a bad idea. I say that 42 x 11 will be ok based off of the online speed calculator, but perhaps this will feel different in real life?

Maybe increase the chainring to 48, run 11-50 cassette on gravel , (+ 2 low gears) and 11-42 on road (+ 6 high gears) .

[calumfindlay]

If you want the best of low and high gearing for gravel, nothing beats a 2x setup. I’m currently running 48/31 chainrings and a 11-40 cassette. The 815 RD doesn’t need a RoadLink for this to work. Shifting is perfect.


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Agree 100%

Unfortunately my frame doesn't have FD mount

[satanas]

Agree 100%

Unfortunately my frame doesn't have FD mount

But does it have a round seat tube near the bottom bracket? One can always use a clamp-on FD if so...

The not-so-budget option would be Classified.

[LanceLegstrong]

If you want the best of low and high gearing for gravel, nothing beats a 2x setup. I’m currently running 48/31 chainrings and a 11-40 cassette. The 815 RD doesn’t need a RoadLink for this to work. Shifting is perfect.


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Yea, if I was going one bike with two wheelsets, I'd go 2x 100%. You could probably even get by with a 50/34 for gravel with an 11-34t or 11-36t, or the 48/31 which would be a little small for road but probably fine.

[maurice1]

I have 48-31 with 2 sets of wheels. 11-34 on 28mm and 11-40 on 45mm. The derailleur clutch is nice to not have slack in the chain when using 11-34
I would never consider running 1x for a do it all bike given how steep it can get. I would upgrade to 12 speed di2 but waiting to hear from people trying 40 or even 42T cassettes with them first

[feynman]

I've been mulling the same thing, so this thread has proven useful. I think you've all convinced me to go 2x; it seems the most logical path forward for my wants. Thanks for starting this topic.