Originally Posted by
Doge
Is the speed range in cx less than road?
I don't know, I am asking.
I think so. Road being 11->55mph (using even numbers) - 5X.
What is cross? 8->32mph? 4X. Seems less that riders dismount.
If the range is less, there is more argument for 1X.
Range is definitely less for cross. That's why cross bikes have come with a much narrower range (46/36) cranks for a long time.
As for 1x, I can't remember if it was van der Poel or van Aert but one of those was still on cantis last year. And Trek made a special canti version of the Boone for Nys. So if they wanted to run 1x they'd be doing it Shimano sponsor or not. One thing I've noticed is that most of them (vdP, vA, Sanne Cant) are running di2. I wonder if the electronic shifting is why they are sticking with 2x?
One of the reasons I've thought about going 1x for cx racing is that on some courses, the front derailleur is pretty much useless after a couple laps.