If you were building a new XC
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I'm in my third ring on the road a lot. You don't lose much giving up the 44t ring, but if you're going to notice it anywhere, it's on the road.
That said, if I beat up my 44t enough more to need to replace it, I'm putting a bash guard there instead, and figuring out how big a middle I really need not to spin out on trails. There's an insane amount of overlap in a typical 3x9 drivetrain.
That said, if I beat up my 44t enough more to need to replace it, I'm putting a bash guard there instead, and figuring out how big a middle I really need not to spin out on trails. There's an insane amount of overlap in a typical 3x9 drivetrain.
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What is the biggest middle ring you can get? I was thinking about doing the same 2x9 setup.
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Do you like the 36-22 better then the 32 for trail riding?mimi1885 said:
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Specialites-TA will sell you a 42t middle ring. It would go well with their 50t outer, in case you wanted to turn a MTB crankset into road gearing.Mountain Cycle Shawn said:
You can have up to a 30t inner from them.I think actually buying a Specialites-TA ring and getting it in the US might be a little tricky, but Blackspire and Middleburn have pretty massive selections too.
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I was thinking 38/22 in front with 11-34 in the back? I am actually pretty happy with my 32, 11-34, 1x9. But I wouldn't mind a little more climbing power and even though I should just rest and cruize going downhill, I can't help but want to pedal and go down faster.
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I like them both actually. I have 36-22 on 2 bikes plus another with Hammerschmidt, and 32-22 set up on another 2 bikes.Mountain Cycle Shawn said:
36-22 has more high gear but it's more difficult to grind steeper climb in the middle ring, this can be good or bad depending on my mood
32-22 is more natural to me just take out the big ring and it's done. I don't get to use all the gear much because I rather coast on the down hill than pedal anyways. It also give me a lot more clearance.
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I think that's too wide of the double range. I've tried 39-24 before and it was not as good as it should be it's difficult going from small to big. The magic range is 10-14. you'd get good shifting back and forth. Shimano is doing 12 and 14 and Sram is doing 13 I think.Mountain Cycle Shawn said:
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for purely offroad? 2x9 is all you NEED. Unless you have legs of steel, probably wont use the third ring in the dirt Even on road I normally find the second enough, though the third is nice to have.
Since the OP said XC, I think 3x9 would be the way to go. Maybe there is blacktop to get to and from the trail!
8spd is a LOT less finicky than 9spd in setting up. Set the high and low stops, get cable tension somewhere in the neighborhood, and presto! Your bike shifts perfect. However take a little time with the 9spd, use good cables, and its only a few minutes more of set up I have had both for 10 years now, I prefer 8spd for tuning and 9spd for riding haha
Or, go SS... Forget gears
Even on road I normally find the second enough, though the third is nice to have. Since the OP said XC, I think 3x9 would be the way to go. Maybe there is blacktop to get to and from the trail!
8spd is a LOT less finicky than 9spd in setting up. Set the high and low stops, get cable tension somewhere in the neighborhood, and presto! Your bike shifts perfect. However take a little time with the 9spd, use good cables, and its only a few minutes more of set up
I have had both for 10 years now, I prefer 8spd for tuning and 9spd for riding haha Or, go SS... Forget gears
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