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I'm upgrading my Santa Cruz blur LT from 3x9 and not sure what to go for. My riding consists of natural trails with the occasional visit to a trail centre. Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated.
I've gone 1x11 on my Soul, simply because you can't get a double chainring to fit on the original Soul frames.
I went 32 front, 11-42 at the back. It is "fine" for my local riding, but a 34 up front would be better.
But long draggy climbs still see me using the 42 at the back, and there are times when my knees/age/weight/lack of fitness make me wish for a 30 at the front.
If you are fit, then 1x11 should work for you, you just need to figure out what gears you want. If you more like me, with one bike having to cover all off road options, I'd be tempted by the extra range and versatility that a 2x11 can offer.
Someone will be along shortly to explain why I am wrong. Or need to MTFU etc.
Why are you upgrading?
This has been covered several times... If you going 11 then really 1x is the logical option. 2x11 isn't really that much lighter than 3x9 (as Shimano 11spd cassettes are fairly heavy) so you don't gain a great deal in weight. The general opinion is that 1x is lighter and "simpler". I looked into it in some detail and in the end decided to leave sweamrs bike (also a Blur LTc interestingly enough) as 3x9 as she didn't want to go 1x and was happy running both shifters.
For what it's worth I run 2x11 and love it but it came with the bike and I wasn't fussed enough to turn down an otherwise excellent deal.
I like 1x but it's not for everyone. You can trial the gear range with what you have though.
2x9 was the 2x range for me tbh, 10 and 11 just added more overlap and made me shift more. But again, personal taste, some folks like narrower ratios than I do.
If I was going 2x11 I'd stick a road cassette on, 11 - 32 or similar, then keep a smallish front ring for lonh/steep sections, but I'm a spinner not a grunter. Just changed to 1x11,as above a 34 would probably be fine for local stuff but I went with a 30 so it also works for bigger days out.
I'd go 2x10 if you want value for money.
If you want the latest must have then 1x11 will probably be enough for what you describe. Personally I'd go 2x but my views have been presented many times before.
Just to show what a dinosaur I am.. I thought triple chain rings were the only logical option for years...I have 3x9 on my orange hardtail. But in the last two years I have added a 29er with a 2x10 and a 27.5 with a 1x11.... and guess what. I don't actually think it makes much difference in the real world other than my handle bar set up is tidier with the 1x11. Seriously... thats about it.
(note, if I was unfit I suspect I'd notice the difference?)
I just rode 4 different bikes back to back on a demo ride. I hardly used the granny rings on the bikes with them so I'd go 1x11. It's also nice to not have a second lever to think about. I can highly recommend xt 1x11
1x11 on my blur ltc 32x 10-42 sram gx.
Shimano 2x11 is pointless and ridiculously heavy. If you want 2x go 2x10.
Average ride has a decent amount of climbing and the legs run out before the gears. I have 2 1/2 less gears than my 24/39 double let gave me.
You know I do like 1x but there's a lot to be said for dropping big ring to lower ring when you need to keep spinning.
It depends where you live I think. For example I live somewhere hilly and 1x is great. I don't do much flat stuff and if I'm going downhill then I'm really going down, ie no pedaling. I run a 28 and it's fine. .
one other big consideration for 1 x 11
if you go for a 34 - 32 and spend a lot of time in the granny ring it will wear out quickly, its alloy not steel.
Go for a slightly lower front and get a good straight chain line and put the wear on the steel rings. Avoid this and your cassette will last for ages. Try a 30, its ideal.
But long draggy climbs still see me using the 42 at the back, and there are times when my knees/age/weight/lack of fitness make me wish for a 30 at the front.
Essentially the reason I'm 'upgrading' is only because the current drivetrain is warn out. I'm effectively running 2x9 as I fitted a blackspire chain device which will only work with a double, so I've adjusted the front mech so the big ring can't be used.