OK, first post on here so hi :-)

I run 30T front and 11-40T rear on a 29er HT (Solaris). I live on the edge of the Dales and generally ride either there or in the Lakes with occasional forays down to the Peak. I’m mid fifties and weigh 84Kg

I did quite a bit of calculating gear ratios on the Sheldon Brown site before committing to to 1×10, I figured I was losing about 2 gears (effective) at the low end and slightly more at the top end compared to a standard triple. Against that I rarely used the top end gears and only used the bottom end ratios slightly more than that so I reckoned I was unlikely to notice the “restriction”. There was also the change from 26″ to 29″ wheels on the new bike to take in to account.

I struggled a bit at first and spent quite a bit of time in the lowest three cogs but over time I have got stronger and now spend more time in the middle of the cassette. I’ve done about 1600Km so far on that bike. I might consider moving to a 32T in time. Situations where I’ve got off and walked have usually been those where I’d be walking anyway. At the top end, by the time I spin out I’m going quickly enough to prefer coasting.

With the riding I do – long XC moderately technical routes – I don’t think I’d gain anything by returning to a 2x or 3x set-up. In fact I’m more tempted to head the other way and get a singlespeed HT, I’ve done a few rides where I’ve deliberately tried to avoid gear changes but it does get a bit frustrating on the flat and on-road.