10x1 or 11x1 mountain bikes?
 

Alright, I have a mountain bike with 10x1 gear, Deore and cassette 11-42T with a 30T chain ring. I have never complained as all tracks I ride, the biggest uphill either on road or offroad, I am capable to climb with it. In fact, I have never used the 3 last biggest sprockets.

I have a friend who has a 11x1, SLX, same cassette and chairing ratio, 11-42T and 30T. Except he has 1 sprocket more and different teeth I guess. I rode it, and did not find much difference. In fact, not at all in terms of gears as I feel ok both on uphill etc.

My question is, is it worth for me to get a 11x1 bike in my case or I better remain on 10x1? Nowadays, we even have 10 speed with more teeth, 11-46T until 11-50T.

I am planning to get the Cannondale Trail 4 2020 which is 10x1 but I am also seeing the Cannondale Trail 3 2020 with 11x1 good. Apart the groupset and fork, the rest is all the same. Examples, both have tubeless rims, same tires, same frame etc.

I will save more if I get the Trail 4 with 10x1 speed.

Your opinion...

There's almost no difference from a functionality perspective and no difference from a range perspective. It sounds like you're not picky enough to notice the smaller jumps between gears. Deore is fine stuff, you won't have any issues. I'd focus on other aspects of the bikes like the fork or wheels.


Given that 1x12 is the higher end these days (trickling down to lower end by SRAM via GX), and lower-mid is 1x11, 1x10 is pretty outdated at this point, frankly I'm a little surprised that Shimano is still offering it on a main-line 2020 group. Might be an issue for you, might not be.

Then why would you want another cog ?
When your cassette wears out, get a 10 speed with better gearing for you.

You might want to consider 1x10 and 1x11. I don't think anyone makes crank sets with 10 or 11 chainrings. :D

10 speed outdated in what ways? You determine popularity through number of gears? Convince me this dude.

I'm not trying to convince you of anything, "dude". Judging by this unwarranted and ridiculously aggressive response and other comments above, you apparently already know everything. Why post this thread? Dumping out now.

Shimano targets all price points, and 10-speed is still well above the norm for what bicycle manufacturers use on their low-end.

That's not a proper reply. You said it's outdated, give your reasons. I want to know. Because right now, I'm just thinking a rich kid who just got his first 12 speed bike and think his toy is better than all bikes and does not even know what he is talking about.

Number of gears does not determine whether a bike is outdated or not dude. Rotor released 13 speed, so your 12 speed needs to be in museum now. Don't take it bad, just using your own crappy thought to you.

One trick pony.

Outdated means fewer bikes are sent new with it. The company will be offering less new parts. They will no longer put 10 speed on their higher end groups. They will no longer do any R&D into improving 10 speed.

10 speed is outdated. This isn't an opinion. Don't be such a doosh.

It's readily available in lower end and NOS. It's pretty functional. Aftermarket parts from Sunrace and Microshift help. It's outdated, not obsolete.

11 x 1 will quickly become old news.

Its a a no brainer... I’d take the 11 x over the 10 x

Ok, Ok.....Simmer down folks.

Pick the one that rides the best. I doubt in practice that there will be a difference. I think mine is a 1x11, but I honestly just had to look at my bike specs in my phone. I bought it to get off my old bike with the triple crank that wasn't best suited for my clunky riding style. If my old bike had had a single up front, I'd still be riding it. I'd rather repair one I like than start all over again.

Outdated? Not. My 1x8 and 3x9 drivetrains works just fine, thanks.

If either range works for your riding, use whatever is cheaper. Drivetrain is wear, and RD get damaged on MTB. Sooner or later you replace them anyway.

Much more important to get better geometry, suspension etc.

As for outdated: if you are OK with the range of 10 speed, you are only missing the better shifter, like XT with double-up shift etc.
1 issue with wide range 10 speed is you get large steps between each gear. Doesn't mean it is outdated, just something to consider.

When something is outdated, it means the manufacturer no longer produces the equipment. 1x12 is the latest thing and if 1x10 shifters are no longer in active production they are outdated.

With road bikes, 2x12 is the latest and 2x11 is already out of production at many levels.

More rear sprockets reduces the percentage change between sprockets or increases range. Take your pick.

10 speed Shimano MTB shifts really well, much better than 10 sp road did. If you were talking road 10sp, I would say go to 11. But the MTB 10sp is fine. Will cost less to maintain and replace. You won't miss the 11th cog.
Not outdated in the least.

Eleven is one better than 10.

https://d15s74raupkmp7.cloudfront.ne...imc_ywu338.jpg

Shimano still produces 10 speed mtb. Deore level.

Shimano still produces a named 6-speed group under their mountain lineup, Tourney TZ.

But what if someone makes one that goes to 12?

To be realistic, they classify the below-Deore as hybrid/trekking class. Deore and above is classified as MTB. Deore and higher have clutches, and all the brakes have compatible hoses etc. So Deore is the bottom of what you want if it is off-road.

Currently they do not, or at least, not besides recommending the higher-level stuff for riding that's more gnarly than "cross-country."

For example, here's how Shimano's website introduces Altus, 3 levels below Deore:



Shimano does have a separate "Trekking" category on their website, which includes "Trekking" groupsets under the Deore XT, Deore, Alivio, and Acera names. These lack the Shadow geometry and/or clutches of their MTB counterparts, only go up to 10 speed, and have mellower styling.

The lack of a clutch on the sub-Deore MTB rear derailleurs is obviously a downgrade per current MTB expectations, but that just comes with the territory of low-budget. Entry-level mountain bikes in the $800 range and below still often use that stuff.