Gravel 1x vs Gravel 2x as Road Bike?
09-13-20, 08:07 PM
#26
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09-13-20, 08:11 PM
#27
Boardwalk Loving
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I don't have any gravel bikes, per se, but I recently bought a 1x CX bike mainly for road with an option in mind to handle the tamer off-road stuff. I also have more conventional 2x bikes. My 1x is 11sp with 40t chainring up front and 11-36t cassette. For solo riding, including decent climbs, I haven't noticed any downside. I don't go nearly as fast downhill, obviously, which doesn't matter to me. Uphill, the 40-36 ratio has been a non-issue, maybe because I've done a huge amount of low cadence climbing this year. It helps that no FD means a lighter bike. With a bigger cassette, maybe the tooth jumps will bother you -- again, it's something that doesn't matter to me when riding solo.
You would think that a 2x bike is more suitable for road riding, especially in a paceline, but one of the ride leaders of a group I rode with in the before times used a 1x bike and during a ride I even remarked how smooth his lead was. He would drop back on steeper terrain, but groups usually separate then anyway.
You would think that a 2x bike is more suitable for road riding, especially in a paceline, but one of the ride leaders of a group I rode with in the before times used a 1x bike and during a ride I even remarked how smooth his lead was. He would drop back on steeper terrain, but groups usually separate then anyway.
That's a really good example, it seems like it could be fairly cost effective to just change the rear cassette or front chain ring
09-13-20, 08:15 PM
#28
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09-13-20, 08:16 PM
#29
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When riding on pavement, I often find myself on the big chainring and smallest cog on the cassette (48T up front and 11T in back). You need a bigger chainring than 40T to ride it on pavement. You say you are physically fit. I'm in pretty good shape too, but I'm also 70 years old. If I'm riding in the highest gears with my 48T chainring, you would not be happy with a 40T chainring. When it comes time to replace the chainring, I'm even considering going to 50/34 because I'm in high gear so much of the time.
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09-13-20, 08:34 PM
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I'm riding on rolling terrain, no long hills, but lots of ups and downs, and do get well above 30mph in places. But I'm not riding 48-11 on flat terrain. On a recent very flat 31 mile ride I averaged a bit over 18mph, which is know is slow for lots of riders. If the OP is riding very flat terrain, the 40T chainring might work great, but on even moderate hills, it would be desirable to have something bigger than 40T. I'm saying that from my own experience. But you do raise a good point. The gearing that you want depends a lot on the terrain over which you're riding.
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09-13-20, 08:49 PM
#31
Boardwalk Loving
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You definitely want to get the 2x chainrings. My only bike is a Specialized Diverge Comp, which I ride mainly on paved roads, though sometimes off-road. I like it as a road bike, and the option to go off-road is very nice. When riding on pavement, I often find myself on the big chainring and smallest cog on the cassette (48T up front and 11T in back). You need a bigger chainring than 40T to ride it on pavement. You say you are physically fit. I'm in pretty good shape too, but I'm also 70 years old. If I'm riding in the highest gears with my 48T chainring, you would not be happy with a 40T chainring. When it comes time to replace the chainring, I'm even considering going to 50/34 because I'm in high gear so much of the time.
Rock n Road could convert the E5 Comp to 2x for about $600 - essentially new chain rings up front, new lever (the one on the E5 is a dummy lever so only brake), cables, front derailer, etc, so all in it would be about $2,800
09-13-20, 08:59 PM
#32
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Yes, that's what I have. It has an Ultegra drive train, but the Diverge Sport Carbon lists for $2900 on the Specialized website. It has a 105 drive train, which is probably just about as good. That is actually what I was intending to buy, but my LBS had the Ultegra bike in stock and put it on sale, and when the price went down I bought that.
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09-13-20, 09:04 PM
#33
Boardwalk Loving
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There's currently nothing available online or in stores in my size 58cm that i've found in the Diverge with anything except 1x - I do still really like the looks of that particular bike.
Giant same story except just no bikes in general
Trek I have the option of ALR5 or SL5 in stock, both of which I rode today. The SL5 would essentially be about the same price as doing the diverge and adding 2x except the SL5 is a carbon frame, comes with tubeless ready wheels & tires, etc. It didn't really sing to me when I rode it but maybe that's because riding around a parking lot isn't that exciting
09-13-20, 09:11 PM
#34
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Yes, that's what I have. It has an Ultegra drive train, but the Diverge Sport Carbon lists for $2900 on the Specialized website. It has a 105 drive train, which is probably just about as good. That is actually what I was intending to buy, but my LBS had the Ultegra bike in stock and put it on sale, and when the price went down I bought that.
09-13-20, 09:17 PM
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09-13-20, 09:25 PM
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09-13-20, 09:41 PM
#37
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I like to spin a cadence of 95-100, except on hills where 82-87 feels best, so I prefer 2x since it allows me to do that at every speed from 6 mph to 36 mph. My newest bike has 52/36 and an 11-34 cassette, which I'm finding really nice for everything from climbing up walls to riding down them. I'm also 214 lbs, so my speed is more a function of gravity than it may be with a lot of other folks. So, if you're really planning on a lot of time on asphalt, I'd suggest a 2x with a big enough high gear that you don't spin out on most descents, and a small enough small gear to get to the top of them.
Currently I have 2 bikes with 53/39 and 12-30 10sp cassettes, which have the best gear spread. Also, a 50/34 with 12-27 10sp, which I spin out too early on, but otherwise I like. And the aforementioned 52/36, which has the widest gearing but one or two points where the steps between the gears are too big - like jumping from <85 to >100.
Currently I have 2 bikes with 53/39 and 12-30 10sp cassettes, which have the best gear spread. Also, a 50/34 with 12-27 10sp, which I spin out too early on, but otherwise I like. And the aforementioned 52/36, which has the widest gearing but one or two points where the steps between the gears are too big - like jumping from <85 to >100.
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09-13-20, 11:38 PM
#39
Boardwalk Loving
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09-13-20, 11:40 PM
#40
Boardwalk Loving
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Bicycle Bike Gear Ratio Speed and Cadence Calculator with 32mm tires.
09-14-20, 06:38 AM
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Get a Double. Those big mountain bike cassettes have huge gaps between gears. I still like my 12-25 9 speed with 34/48 up front. I tried an 11-34 for a loaded tour and switched back as soon as the panniers were removed.
09-14-20, 07:17 AM
#42
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I road bike my Revolt and love it! Def 2x for dual purpose use, I can spin the 48t to 35mph, and have plenty of lowend with the 32-34 for climbing.
As for the Defy, it can do some gravel, but the Revolt does it better (better geo, more tire clearance). That's why I sold my Defy and just ride the Revolt now.
As for the Defy, it can do some gravel, but the Revolt does it better (better geo, more tire clearance). That's why I sold my Defy and just ride the Revolt now.
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09-14-20, 08:46 AM
#43
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2x. There is just no benefit to 1x for pavement. And there is no benefit for 1x on gravel in most situations/areas. Its a trend pulled from MTB.
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09-14-20, 08:50 AM
#44
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I dont see many recreational/enthusiast cyclists spinning at 90rpm thru a ride. I get that they should all improve their spinning, but most are in the 60-80 range. I just mention this since I see 90rpm used as a common reference on this site.
09-14-20, 09:47 AM
#45
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In the Socal beach areas, most people either get a road bike (could be an endurance one), or a beach cruiser. I see very few 1x bikes on the road. I can honestly say I've seen 1 person riding a high-end 1x crossbike on the streets of Socal.
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09-14-20, 10:10 AM
#46
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The talk about needing 50-11 is even more misguided. Going downhill, you'll be hard pressed to contribute a significant amount of power no matter the gearing, and that power will have negligible impact on speed due to the overwhelming amount you need to overcome drag. Maximizing downhill speed is simply not something to be concerned about. I wonder how many people who think they need it have power meters and actually looked at their downhill numbers.
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09-14-20, 10:49 PM
#47
Boardwalk Loving
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Yeah, i've lived here my entire life and grew up riding a beach cruiser everywhere, literally everywhere, miles and miles and miles on beach cruisers. I've decided to go with a 2x setup, it just seems to be a lot more practical overall
09-14-20, 10:51 PM
#48
Boardwalk Loving
Thread Starter
Yeah as much as I like it aesthetically, I am going to go with a 2x setup. I will save the 1x for my single speed, dj mtb, and beach cruiser
09-14-20, 10:52 PM
#49
Boardwalk Loving
Thread Starter
I road bike my Revolt and love it! Def 2x for dual purpose use, I can spin the 48t to 35mph, and have plenty of lowend with the 32-34 for climbing.
As for the Defy, it can do some gravel, but the Revolt does it better (better geo, more tire clearance). That's why I sold my Defy and just ride the Revolt now.
As for the Defy, it can do some gravel, but the Revolt does it better (better geo, more tire clearance). That's why I sold my Defy and just ride the Revolt now.
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09-14-20, 11:20 PM
#50
Non omnino gravis
And I'd be the first person to say that 1X probably isn't for everyone. But the combo of hacking at it or eschewing it based on perceived limitations... as a solo rider, I don't get it. Most people don't use all the gears they have. I use 'em all on nearly every ride.
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