I'm moving to a 2x10 set up for my trail bike with a 26/38 chainset and 11-36 cassette. I had been using a 'normal' 3x9 set up with an 11-32 cassette. I've seen the maths on ratio's etc, but how does it work in the real world? Is anyone finding they're running out of top or bottom end for general trail riding?
Also, what's the best way to size a 10 speed chain on a 2 x 10 on a full susser?
1x10 (33t front) and I don't miss it. can't be lazy but thats no bad thing.
I'm not running out of gears but then I didn't do what you did.. I removed 42T big ring and left the 32 and 22 alone, has been working great.
with 26/38 you'll be using the granny ring, where as I still rarely use the granny ring in my set up.
I wouldn't ask the question what do you miss, but what do you gain?
Surely the gain in weight saving is absolutely minimal in the scheme of things?
no.
No, but I do run a 11-36 tooth cassette
Changed in 2006 to 32/44, then tried 30/42, 28/40 and 28/42, all were fine, never missed the granny ring.
Now run 1x10 with a 36t and find that spot on. If I was changing I'd probably go slightly bigger, a bit more top end on the road wouldn't go a miss.
no - but I run 22/36 chainrings
So come on what do you gain by dropping the granny?
So come on what do you gain by dropping the granny?
you gain teh radness.
Hmmm, seems a funny question to me. I mean isn't a 26T front + 36T rear ratio not far off 22T and 32T?? So I'd have said you still have a granny ring...
Ive gone 1x10, Ive not missed granny. One of my local trails has a steep long hill I walked up when I would have ridden up previously, but its steep enought that walking was just as fast. So I can live with that.
Ive got an excuse now when I have to get off, but its pretty rare that I do. 32 by 36 gearing is almost granny anyway.
my BFe has a 11/34 rear and 24/34 front. I spend 90% of my time in the bigger ring. My Remedy has 12/36 rear to a 28/40 front. I spend more time in the 'granny' but dont miss the really spinny gear (well not yet anyway)
So come on what do you gain by dropping the granny?
For me, it was more usable ratios. 22 was too small to be useful, and 44 a bit tall, go for something in the middle, sorted.
Nah, granny aint missed. Never hung out with her much anyway.
I don't know what the lower ratios are on my current 2x10 (a stock whippet), but they feel really low - must be well into the granny ratios on a 3x10. There's plenty of climbs I run out of legs on, but never feel as if I'm running out of gears.
Njee has it. It's all about usable ratios, 1x10 and 2x10 are great. More rear shifts and less or no front shifts equals smoother better pedalling imo.
Njee has it. It's all about usable ratios, 1x10 and 2x10 are great. More rear shifts and less or no front shifts equals smoother better pedalling imo
Indeed... I'm on 2x9 (22\36 front) and spend pretty much all my time on the 36T front, I often think about dropping the granny ring but like it to get out of jail if needed.
I always saw granny as a get out of jail ratio, but now I just get off and push, its actually eaiser 🙂
Another vote for 2x whatever.
I run 2x9 with 11-34 at the rear and 26/38 up front. Covers everything I need to ride. Since you've got an extra cog at the back you'll be fine.
I prefer the simplicity of as few chainrings as possible.
Don't miss it at all. Running 39/27 with 11/36 cassette and never struggle up any hill. Not the fittest either...
As for chain length, big ring + big ring + a link should see you right.
1x10 (33t front) and I don't miss it. can't be lazy but thats no bad thing.
+1 found when I would drop to granny ring. I push myself harder and I am slowly getting better for it.
as above - 2x9 setups retain granny don't they?
Running 1x9 for 3 years with 36t up front and 11-34 out back. Suits me just fine, don't miss granny at all.
1x9, 36 up front and 11-32 back.
Never bothered with the small or big rings upfront before i changed over anyway. so switching to 1x9 for me wasn't really a change as such.
as above - 2x9 setups retain granny don't they?
Strictly speaking yes, 2x9 setups generally use granny and middle rings, although the new granny is often bigger than a standard granny which is what the OP was getting at.
Yeah, by 'granny' I mean a 22 chainring.
As to the why? Lighter, better ground clearance, fewer rings to replace, less faff with front mech set up - all for what appears to be a very similar spread of gears. Yeah, so you probably will lose top end, but then I'm not planning on time trialing on a 140mm full susser.
2x9 on my road and fs, 2x10 on my rigid. 22/32 on both mtbs, I only miss the big ring on the road.
Nana knows best, don't turn your back on her!
I moved over to a 2 x 10 setup on my new Boardman and can honesty say that I love it. I am running a 27/42 up front and an 11/36 on the rear and it feels like I have a granny ring!
Do it, you won't be disappointed!
27:36 is a ratio of 0.75
22:32 is a ratio of 0.68
It is not very far away at all. IMHO anything under a 1:1 ratio is 'granny'.
Running 1x10 32:11-36 here. Am finding I am getting stronger on the bike, so can push taller gears, so for normal riding, I hardly ever use the 32 or 36 on the rear cassette. For longer days, or multi day trecks with gear, I can see them getting used though.
32-11 seems ok on road, fast enough for me.
1 x 10 here. 34t chainring and 11/36 cassette. Gets me up all but the steepest of climbs.