[Closed] 1 x 9

I have 2 bikes running 1x9 - one with a 36 front ring (which can be a struggle, tbh) and one with 34. Both have a 32 max rear cassette.

You can get a 34 max 9 speed cassette so unless you need a really low gear for climbing you'd be fine.

I do, 32 x 11-32 gets me up everything on the South Downs. No really long climbs but plenty of reasonably steep bits. If I went a 10 speed I'd probably go for a 34 x 11-36 to give a little extra at either end but what I've got is good enough until it's worn out.

I run 1*10 on one bike, depends how strong you are / how hilly it is where you live. Plenty run 1*10 with a 34 or 36 front, and a 36t rear, so a 11:34 cassette with a 32 or 34 front will be broadly the same for the ups and give away a little on your biggest gear.

Also depends whether you are talking about a 26er or a 29er. If the latter you can knock a couple off the front to accounts for the bigger wheels. Personally - I'm on a 29er with 32 front and 11:36 rear.

Cool, I reckon I might have a go at this next week when I get paid, I run a 26" so might be a bit more of a struggle up the hills but I could probably do with trying a bit harder up them any way.

i do on my HT. i run a 32t up front so i can do most climbs locally. i'd struggle with long steep climbs, but i would with 10 speed also. top end i only spin out on long down hill fire roads, the boring stuff. i don't thing one extra gear will make any real difference.

works for me and getting me fitter 😉

i do have 2*10 on my full suss tho for all day stuff

Just ditched my front and got 39/11-32 which is a bit of a struggle on some of the hills but generally feels great. Thinking of bodging a 11-36 on the back and maybe losing a couple of teeth on the front.

My hardtail is 1 x 9. 36t up front with 11-32 cassette. Climbs like a goat! Although got a bit flabby over the winter so I can often hear the 34t ring calling me from its hiding place in the shed.

I run my full sus 1x9, 36 at the front, I'm upgrading to a 11-34 at the back as the 11-32 does run out a bit on steep climbs (though they're still possible). So I'd recommend it, saves you weight and money for little loss in my opinion.

Yup, 32t front ring and 11-32 on the back lets me winch up even super steep technical sections without feeling like I'm pushing too big a gear. You only need to go 1x10 if you're fashion conscious or have the legs of a small girl. And if you haven't got the legs then you'll get them quickly! 🙂

Hmmmm says the person who just got a 38tooth ring for his 1x9 29er project. Good job im in the fens then 😆

32,11-34

But 1x10 can have a clutched mech

40, 11-32 here. Fine for trail centre's n local XC

The clutch mech is what I really want but don't have the wonga to splash on new cassette, mech, chain shifter etc so will probably just drop a cog at the front and get a cheapish chain device so technically won't save any weight or money (maybe a little weight but I could probably lose more a lot quicker in the bathroom before a ride).
so....
what chainguide and ring for the front then. I was looking at just getting a cheap set up from superstar, probably don't want to spend more than £50-£60.

Can't remember this topic ever being covered before?

My C456 runs 34T/11-34 gets me round my local loops and was ok round llandegla (I am at the unfit end of our riding group).

Cheap Superstar top guide has worked fine.

My Soda's 1x9, though with a clutch mech (X9 shifter + mod + SLX). It's not quite as good as my 1x10, the 36T cassette isn't a massive difference but it does seem to be the slight difference between "good enough" and "slightly hard work". Or to put it a different way, there were a few times last week in Wales when I wished for a lower gear on the 1x10, where on the 1x9 I'd have been in a higher gear.

I have soda too on a 1x9 set up. . Works really well. . For xc stuff . . Not yet tested Wales etc but feel it will be fine. . Only now and again do I think I need a few extra gears, very steep stuff and getting quick speed on descents. . It is a perfect set up for xc racing with the leg strength! Standard xt cassette wi E13 ring/ chain guide ZTR shifter.

I run 1x9, 36t chainring and 11-34 cassette. I find the range is enough, you just have to learn to power up things opposed to sitting and spinning. I've never found a climb at a trail centre I couldn't make but sometimes I have to get off and push in the Peaks. I'm considering swapping for a 34t ring.

I'm running ancient X7 with SRAM cassette and an old E13 LG1 w. taco bash guard.

tommy - you don't really need a dedicated chainring for 1x9. I just removed the inner and outer rings from my Shimano cranks and made do with the 32T. Add a superstar xcr bb mount chain guide for £16 and it was fine. There was a little bit of rub running 32 front to 11t sprocket but bearable. I ran 32 x 32-11 on my C456. Now I'm running 34 x 36-11 (10 spd) on the full suss, just to get a marginally wider gear range (top and bottom)

If you really do want a dedicated front ring, then there are FSA ones on ebay for less than £20 depending on size. Which is generally cheaper than e-thirteen, Hope etc.

36/11-32 here. Perfect for local trails and visits to S.Wales trail centres. Other places I ride demand a smaller front chain ring so I take a different bike 😉

You can get a stainless chainring from on-one cheap, which will last a lonnnnnnng time but are not reversible like some.

34t strongly recommended here