cpblue

I want to use my Karate Monkey for both on road and off road touring but it’s currently a 1X front chain ring. I’d like to change the chain ring to a 2X, but I’m not sure where to start.

I know a trip to the LBS is in order but Im
wondering is anyone has tried this. Thanks

Tourist in MSN

I have never had a 1X. That said, I know something about bikes.

A 2X would mean that your rear derailleur needs to be able to take up more slack chain, the amount depends on the different sizes of the front rings. It might be adequate or you might need a different one.

You are adding a front derailleur. And a shifter. And the cable, and cable related hardware if your frame lacks the cable stops or cable guides.

Might need a longer chain.

And of course, a crankset. And that may or may not need a new bottom bracket.

If you make the conversion, keep the old parts, they have some value. And if you sell the bike, you can convert back to a 1X first if you want to keep the parts for another project.

When I built up my rando bike, initially I was not sure what I would use for a front shifter. I used a downtube friction shifter, a vintage Huret as a temporary measure. That was about seven years ago, that temporary shifter is becoming a bit more permanent every year.

djb

Mr Texan, are you thinking of doing this on your own or getting a store to do it?
What sort of mechanic experience do you have and or interest/aptitude to do it?
How is your KM set up, 9 10 11 speed?

as noted, check out if the KM has the cable guides etc for a front derailleur, I can't recall.
If you do this on your own, you could save a fair amount of money, or at least put that money into buying the tools needed.

pathlesspedaled has done a lot of vids on putting doubles on , so that may help with crankset ideas, but you really need to find out how the km is for cable guides etc.
There will be lots of double options and shifter options, you could even do a simple thumbie friction shifter or bar end, but that depends on all the details, bars etc.

cpblue

My bike mechanic skills are limited, so I was planning on taking it to the LBS. I really love the KM, but the 1X limits my ability to climb. I’m curious to see what the estimate on the work/parts will be as opposed to finding a used touring oriented steel bike with some off road capabilities.

Thanks for the advise

roadfix

This may not be practical for you but what I do when I go on single, overnight trips is swap chainrings on my 1x drivetrain, Surly Grappler, depending on whether it’s an on road or off road trip, and also on the elevation profile. Regardless, with my 1x12 drivetrain I’m sacrificing the top end gearing. I’d rather keep my 17 gear inch low gear when I’m fully loaded. Top end really doesn’t matter as I just coast on all down hills.
I normally run a 30 or 32t chainring, but I also swap to a 28 or 34t…depending on terrain..

cpblue

I’ve got a 2X on my Pugsley, but I don’t want to move the parts.

DeadGrandpa

My fiancee's gravel/bike packing bike is 1x11 with a 9-46 e*thirteen cassette. I have 42T, 36T and 32T front chain rings, and a couple of different chains, to choose from depending on the prospective ride terrain. It's not that hard to change rings and chains. In the mountains, the high end of the gear range doesn't matter so much. But you must have adequate climbing gears. Get a torque wrench for putting the crank back together, and pretty soon you'll start to feel like a real bike mechanic.