I have a 2020 Giant Revolt with 105. I changed the rear derailleur to an Ultegra RX and I’m running oval chainrings on the stock crank. The rear cassette is an 11-34 and I need to get lower gearing so I can climb in a lower hart rate. I know people are running a 11-40t cassette with this set up. I’m wondering if I can run the e13 9-39 cassette and get both more low end and more top end? The cassette is expensive and I didn’t want to buy one and find out I can’t make it work. Anyone try this with a double on the front?
Lower gearing options for gravel.
pulser
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I have a 2020 Giant Revolt with 105. I changed the rear derailleur to an Ultegra RX and I’m running oval chainrings on the stock crank. The rear cassette is an 11-34 and I need to get lower gearing so I can climb in a lower hart rate. I know people are running a 11-40t cassette with this set up. I’m wondering if I can run the e13 9-39 cassette and get both more low end and more top end? The cassette is expensive and I didn’t want to buy one and find out I can’t make it work. Anyone try this with a double on the front?
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It'll work as long as you have a XD driver freehub on your rear wheel.
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I've heard the Shimano RD's don't play well with the 9T cog on that cassette. In addition to the cost of the cassette, you'll also need an XD driver for your rear hub, as it won't fit on the Shimano HG you're running now. You might want to check out the Bikepacking article on wide range options.
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The 9t is what I was thinking would be the problem. I have DT G1800 wheels they come with both Shimano and Sram XD drivers. So that's not going to be a problem. My other concern with the E13 cassette is how much life I would get out of it for the price. I'm ok spending 200+ on my mountain bike because I don't ride it allot and a cassette will last me a few seasons. But I ride my gravel bike 5 days a week. I don't want to be replacing the cassette 2 or 3 times a year.
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I'd go to a grx rear derailleur. The ult rx should be easy to resell right now.
Then you can run an 11-42 cassette (cheap, reliable) and not worry about it. You could step up the front ring if you wanted. All that would still be cheaper than an e13 cassette.
Then you can run an 11-42 cassette (cheap, reliable) and not worry about it. You could step up the front ring if you wanted. All that would still be cheaper than an e13 cassette.
I would be hesitant to run the e13 for gravel. On mountain bikes people are not getting a lot of life span out of them and I you would go through them even faster on a gravel bike.
I use an 11-40 with a 40T chain-ring. That gives me a pretty good range. I am looking for lower gears on super steep climbs deep into a day. But generally that 40-40 is enough.
I use an 11-40 with a 40T chain-ring. That gives me a pretty good range. I am looking for lower gears on super steep climbs deep into a day. But generally that 40-40 is enough.
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I run 1x GRX with XT 11-46 cassette, with a 38t ring. Great climbing gearing for riding in Pisgah National Forest but I spin out at ~30 mph.
The other option is the new shimano Deore 11-51 11 speed cassette, but it would require a derailleur cage extender, plus it weight 620 grams! With the 51t you could run a 40 or 42t ring.
The other option is the new shimano Deore 11-51 11 speed cassette, but it would require a derailleur cage extender, plus it weight 620 grams! With the 51t you could run a 40 or 42t ring.
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1,267 Posts
If I’m going faster than 30mph in a gravel bike, I’m happy to coast!
Not related to the OP’s question entirely, but I mullet’d my sram force 11spd shifters to a gx rear mech, moving only the shark fin from my force mech over to the gx. It works, and now I can run whatever 11spd cassette I please.
Not related to the OP’s question entirely, but I mullet’d my sram force 11spd shifters to a gx rear mech, moving only the shark fin from my force mech over to the gx. It works, and now I can run whatever 11spd cassette I please.
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879 Posts
How do you like the 8T jump from 38 to 46? I also have the GRX setup on my bike and tried to get OneUP's 47T cog kit to go with my 11-42 but they don't seem to sell them anymore.
I would suggest using a Sram 11-36 cassette and maybe pairing your stock Shimano crank with a Sugino 32 tooth Shimano compatible Cycloid/oval hill climbing ring.
https://www.suginoltd.co.jp/store/products/detail.php?product_id=145
https://www.suginoltd.co.jp/store/products/detail.php?product_id=145
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Since you mentioned the e-Thirteen cassette, I have a 9-46 e-Thirteen cassette on my GF'S bike. It's a 1x drivetrain, and I swap the 42T front chain ring (in flatland) to a 32T front chain ring (in the mountains, forest service roads). Plenty of high gears and plenty of climbing gears, depending on where you are. You may want a 2x for a cross country tour on gravel, but for area specific rides, I think one or the other will do.
Edit: I have a 2x on my paved road gravel bike, a 46-30 crankset and a 10-42 cassette. It's ok, I use the 46 mostly in flatland and the 30 on the occasional hill. In the mountains on my dedicated bikepacking bike, however, a 30T front chain ring is about the right match for a 46 tooth cassette low gear.
Edit: I have a 2x on my paved road gravel bike, a 46-30 crankset and a 10-42 cassette. It's ok, I use the 46 mostly in flatland and the 30 on the occasional hill. In the mountains on my dedicated bikepacking bike, however, a 30T front chain ring is about the right match for a 46 tooth cassette low gear.
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