Originally Posted by
radripperaj
well I Imagine he is sponsored by Shimano and that is what they want him to run. Pros are going to ride what they are paid to ride. However, When I go to the am cross races almost everyone has 1X. I think it is more telling what is better when you see what people have when they have full control and use their own money. I have raced with both and for me 1X is the way to go. The jumps in gearing dont have to be big either because you dont need as big of a range as you do on road. An 11-32 I feel can give you more than enough range on cross courses. I know people who do 1x with 11-28, I think there are times if its hilly that could make you run a little too much.
This is true, but I think it it has more to do with the range of power and useable gears amateurs need compared to pros in a lot of cases. I also run 1x and an 11-32 or 11-28 depending on the course, but that is more because I don't ever finding myself needing more than a 42x11. Some of the cat1/2 guys are using bigger gearing than that though