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MTB drivetrains on the road

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MTB drivetrains on the road

Old 01-22-19, 08:29 AM
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novecho_delta
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MTB drivetrains on the road

Hi,
Has anyone tried running something like a 2x11 SLX (or similar) drivetrain on a hybrid bike? What is it like? Does one outperform the gears on longer, on-road journeys?
I'm trying to upgrade my Specialized Crosstrail with higher-end, lighter components and I wanted to know if anyone's tried using 2x11 systems.

Thanks!
- novecho_delta
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Old 01-22-19, 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by novecho_delta
Hi,
Has anyone tried running something like a 2x11 SLX (or similar) drivetrain on a hybrid bike? What is it like? Does one outperform the gears on longer, on-road journeys?
I'm trying to upgrade my Specialized Crosstrail with higher-end, lighter components and I wanted to know if anyone's tried using 2x11 systems.

Thanks!
- novecho_delta
The new Crosstrail Sport and the 2018 Elite uses 2x9 and 2x10. I don't see why the 2x11 would not work. I would first verify that your wheel can handle a 11 speed cassette.
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Old 01-23-19, 08:29 AM
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Sure an MTB drivetrain will work but it's mostly up the rider and what type of gearing you prefer. MTB chainrings are generally smaller than road type chainrings and MTBs run larger cassettes for lower gearing.

If you ride fast, then an adventure/gravel or road style drivetrain would be preferable. More off road and climbing steep terrain would lend itself to the lower gearing of the MTB style drivetrain.

Really is dependent on your riding style. If you're just riding along at a leisurely pace on bike paths then the MTB drivetrain will be just fine.

Last edited by Bryan C.; 01-23-19 at 08:33 AM.
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Old 01-25-19, 03:18 PM
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Cool pick your kit..

If you buy one now that may be what they offer... in many brands.. upper price-points..

11 in back can even be an Alfine IGH 2 in front can be a gearbox crank like Schlumpf's Speed Drive

no derailleurs at all..




...

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Old 01-30-19, 05:23 PM
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My Trek FX6S is 2x11 with a full Shimano 105 group.Front rings are a compact 50/34 and cassette is a 11-32. I ride 90% of the time in the big ring, and there's plenty of gearing.
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Old 01-30-19, 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by novecho_delta
Hi,
Has anyone tried running something like a 2x11 SLX (or similar) drivetrain on a hybrid bike? What is it like? Does one outperform the gears on longer, on-road journeys?
I'm trying to upgrade my Specialized Crosstrail with higher-end, lighter components and I wanted to know if anyone's tried using 2x11 systems.

Thanks!
- novecho_delta
If you're going for lighter weight, some of those 11sp cassettes are pretty porky. XT 11-46T is 439.35g, for instance. Nice thing is, they'll fit on 10-sp freehub bodies, unlike most road cassettes.
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Old 02-02-19, 09:51 AM
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I have been thinking a 2x8 would be good on the road. 11-32 is possible with a Shimano CS-M950 Ti in pretty light weight. Light front is doable in say 34~48 and it should give enough overlap that in many cases you can just stay on one ring up front for most of the way

Many x9 rears have nearly the same spread. It depends on what your bottom gear needs to be for your worst climb ?? And what your top speed needs to be for your fastest raod sections ...
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Old 02-06-19, 11:08 AM
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I'll be totally honest and say that while I love my Crosstrail Comp (2016 model I think) I'm not a huge fan of the 2x10 drivetrain. For the rides my wife and I do, I find I most often need to be right in-between the two sprockets, and switch back and forth quite a bit. If it was a triple, I'd probably be on the middle sprocket 80+% of the time.I suppose I could probably convert it to 3x10 if I really wanted to. The SLX front shifter already supports 2 or 3 rings.
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