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Evening All
So I’m throwing together a Mtb from parts I’ve got kicking about. It’s a 26” (because 26 ain’t dead) the rear cassette I have is a 10 speed 11-36. I’m wanting to use a single chainring up front. I aim to use this bike for general trails, bit of road, maybe some climbs. Just generally what you’d use a MTB for. So what gear should I use up front? Or do I need to find a different rear cassette. I’m open to advice and opinions.
thanks
Tom
32t
You could go for 34, 36 or even 38t if you intended to do a lot of road miles between trails and have strong legs for the climbs. But for general off-road messing about id say 32t.
I rode 38t and an 11-36 in the peak district around 2004-06 but that was before 1x was fashionable so frankly there was no one with any experience to say it was a stupid choice. My rationale was it was just under halfway between 34 and 44. And for the most part it was fine, spinning was never an option but it could be gurned up most climbs that were at all rideable.
I wouldn't bother looking for a new cassette, although I'm sure there are 11-42 options now, you'd then either need a new mech or some sort of hanger extender, or fiddle with extended b-screws which sort of defeats the point a bit of just using up spares in the shed.
That’s kinda handy as I do have a 32 handy. It might be worth just trying it and see how I get on.
Have a play with this. You can even compare two different drivetrains....
https://www.gear-calculator.com
Its a tough ask for road as well. 32 isn’t a bad starting point
You can buy a 11 48 cassettes for not that much
I'd suggest 32T as well.
After all, it's what most old-skool triple chainsets came with as the middle option. And 32:16 was always the SS gear of choice.
I was on the verge of converting my old Cove into a 1x10 on that exact ratio (32 x 11-36) for use as a towpath commuter but then I changed jobs and never needed such a bike.
Just worth noting that if it's not a 1x specific ring, you may need to retain the front mech; disconnect it and use the limit screws to lock it in place as a de facto chain retention device.
That’s kinda handy as I do have a 32 handy. It might be worth just trying it and see how I get on
Well, if you've got it try it. If you think it's too small you can change it.
Note that on a lot of cranks you won't be able to go smaller, on a 30T the chain fouls the tabs on a 104BCD crank, to go smaller than 32 you'll probably need a direct mount one. But bigger should be fine.
To go with the cassette above, also £25. Use existing 10speed shifter. Have just set this up on my old Solaris and failed to skip a beat this weekend in gopping mud while also towing a toddler.