[fredcook]

Came across a single speed rider this weekend that nearly cleared a ~20' climb that is nearly impossible to climb on all fours, much less ride up. Impressive. He jokingly commented, "if only I had one more gear".

Made me think. Does anyone have a 2x1, or 3x1? Yes, I mean 2 or 3 front rings with a single speed rear with a fixed derailleur to keep tension. In all my years of riding, I don't recall ever seeing that setup. Maybe I just never noticed.

 

[Nat]

I have a 2x1.

 

[fredcook]

I have a 2x1.

Build it yourself, or is it factory?

 

[*OneSpeed*]

Sure, front derailleur only has been done for a long time with 2x.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2x1...wJHkAhXiYd8KHc-pDJsQ_AUIEigC&biw=1217&bih=714

White Industries makes a 2 speed freewheel for Dinglespeed setups.

There's no rules, live your dream. Build it.

 

[Nat]

Build it yourself, or is it factory?

Homemade. Rear derailleur keeps tension. The crank has the middle and granny rings. Sometimes I could kick the chain off the middle ring with the inside of my heel so it'd drop onto the granny ring but I rarely used the granny TBH.

 

[fmendes]

I never heard of it until I saw a (Brazilian) video last week about those. Looks like a consolidated idea. There's even a chain tensioner specific for these cases:
https://www.modernbike.com/rohloff-xc-ss-chain-tensioner---twin-pulley---black

 

[Nat]

Yeah, you can buy that specific tensioner but I grabbed an old derailleur from my parts bin to do the exact same job. Really, any hunk of junk take-off derailleur will work.

 

[Bob-o-matic]

I ride a 2x1 rigid mtb. Just like single spd... it's not for everyone and goes against the grain. It's not my only bike but the one ride the most. Tryed a single spd... loved the simplicity but very difficult to find one gear that's good for all the diverse trails in VT. 2x1 is still a very simple setup. [32/22 chainrings, 20t Origin8 Torqlite sprocket]. Front derailleur is super reliable and shift better than people want to admit. Shimano Alfine tentioner is a lot stronger than an old derailleur. One gear for up, one gear for down.

The 2x1 was supposed to be an experiment but I broke my right thumb snowboarding last spring and shifting a rear derailleur [and squeezing right brake lever] still hurts. So I went back to the 2x1 [with left hand shifter]

It does make the local trails a lot of fun again... And now I'm a faster climber than b4. When I do ride my other bikes [ with a 1x10, 1x11, or 2x11] I find myself shifting constantly. Mostly bc I always think a different gear might be better. Never think that with 2x1... Just enjoy the exercise.