rydabent

As they say ------------ times they are a-changin. Not all that long ago everyone was arguing for 11 and 12 speed rear sprocket with two and 3 chain rings up front so they would have enough gears. On some bikes that would mean as many as 36 gears.

Now strangely enough 1x11 seem to be all the rage. Just one more than the old 10 speed bikes of yore.

Flip Flop Rider

for me, one ring on the front is enough

fietsbob

1957, My S-A AW3 , 3 speed, got a 3 cog cluster,& and a triple crankset... 3 cubed (3x3x3) is 27..


Now the R'off is 3 3 speeds - 2 redundant 2 nds, 7, x 2 (in low range) for IGH 14 speeds..



SRAM is Pushing and cashing in on this new one by obsession trend, closed several product lines to crank up the volume sold..







getting on that bandwagon is a choice..
...

indyfabz

1x has been the rage among certain types of riders for while.

Who was advocating for 3x11 and 3x12?

tomato coupe

Seen a lot of 3x12 setups, have you?
1 x eleven is all the rage?

fietsbob

SRAM is Cashing in on this trend , dropped all the IGH making.. they got buying out Sachs of Germany.

livedarklions

I like two, because I want a 52t or 53t ring up front. But I see OP's point--the gear ranges and number of gears are actually decreasing with the 1x trend after years of marketing increases in those were huge advantages that everyone "needs".

I don't find it that strange, though. People who don't need the high ratio ranges find the relative mechanical simplicity of 1x a virtue unto itself. I don't want it, but as long as I can find what I want, I don't mind other people's preferences being marketed. .

Koyote

I don't think it's strange at all. When you could only have 5 or six cogs in back, a double or triple crankset was pretty useful to give a wide enough gearing range without huge gaps between gears; now that you can have 11 or 12 cogs in back, a single chainring can give an adequate gearing range with manageable gaps.

Reflector Guy

Same here.

How many teeth are on the 1-bys? I've only glanced briefly at them and they seem pretty small. I assume that puts a crimp on my top speed.

livedarklions

Most of them are in the 30s, with a lot of gear combinations where the rear cog is much bigger than the chainring. That lack of high gears would drive me nuts on a road bike and I just don't ride enough dirt for that low range to be anything I need.

Pop N Wood

A 3x8 is still my preferred drivetrain for long distance touring. Chains are DEBATABLELY cheaper, easier to maintain, last longer and stronger. Cassettes are smaller diameter hence potentially lighter and unquestionably less expensive.

Recumbents are similar. The long driveline makes chains 3x as expensive, but also makes them immune to cross chaining. Bents are mostly spinning on pavement, so subtle gear steps are nice to have.

1x is great for off road bikes where quick gear changes are necessary.

Mid drive ebikes are pushing things back to 8 speeds or less and 1x front rings.

More rear cogs aren't necessarily the wave of the future.

hillyman

https://www.google.com/amp/s/road.cc...t-221157%3famp
Isn't looking good for us Triple loving worn out Hippies. Soon as I saw the Montague Fit bike was going to a double I grabbed a triple with Tiagra thumb shifters, which aren't too bad. Still wish had a smaller granny chainring than a 30 tooth.

sarhog

All three of my bikes are running 1x drivetrains now. My Grail for instance, has a 42T chainring. I give up about 2 mph top speed, but gain plenty of granny gear.


Top line is 42T chainring matched to an Eagle 10-50 cassette. Bottom line is 34-50 front rings and 11-34 cassette.

livedarklions

Exactly! I hate riding granny gear, so that trade-off would suck for me. I don't think doubles are going away any time soon, so this is just more choices for people. I'm not a big fan myself, but I'm sad to see the decline of the triple. I hate to see a significant number of people not able to get the set-up they want.

indyfabz

Yeah. The smaller the steps the better for me. I would hate climbing for 15 miles carrying a load and having to choose between spinning to fast for my liking or mashing to hard for my liking. Want to have the best way to avoid that whenever possible--more gears.

RH Clark

A different opinion but for me, being able to mash harder or spin faster is just a sign I am in better shape. I am more concerned with the engine than the transmission, so to speak. The exception for me would be carrying a huge load while touring.

stevel610 

Right now my only bike is a Novara Safari with a 48/36/26 in front, with an 11-32 in rear. I could use the middle gear 90% of the time. But those long or steep climbs I am really greatful for the granny gear.

Troul 

2x12 is my preferred but 2x11 works. If the front dr could trim a larger range, 2x11 would be even better & likely not even think about 2x12.

I heart x chaining. #xchaining4life

Reflector Guy

My bike is a 50/34 in front (I had to look it up just now). I use the 50 ring a lot more than I do the 34, but the roads here are very flat, and I don't go off-road. Like they say, your mileage may vary.

shelbyfv

Maybe not changed enough. In fact, pretty sure I've seen this thread before. Same same, as they say.

livedarklions

Are you trying to get called a Racerboy?

marceloduende

Once I hit a 20%+ grade, I am just happy I have all the gears available. Both going up and down.

philbob57

The cool thing for the manufacturers is that a 1 X 12 wears out cogs and chains faster than a 2 X 6 or 3 X 6 ever did. Of course, you can now shift gears without taking your hands off the brakes....

I'll admit that it's usually easier to get into the right gear with a 1 X 12 than with a 2 X 6 half-step. On the whole, though, I'm happy with my 1973 MKM, with rear dropouts cold set to 126 mm....

wolfchild

I am still using old school technology from about 120 years ago. One chainring up front and one sprocket in the rear. I've never been stuck anywhere yet.

Nyah

48/36/22x36 w/chainwheel guard FTW. Fewer is not more. I've absolutely zero interest in a compact double or 1x.