1x or 2x... That is the question

[bakerjw]

Well, Steve my trusty loyal Karate monkey steed is still my training bike of choice, but for long rides like the TD, something lighter is needed. So I am working on a new build.

With a straight Shimano 1x11 or 2x10 build, there isn't a lot of price difference and the weight savings between the 2 is only around 150 grams. I can shed even more weight with a RaceFace crankset on both options. If I go with the newer SRam 1x12 setups, I can get a great range with a 10-50 cassette.

In my TD ride this year, I really liked the 2x10 setup. I have a 24/40 up front and a 11-36 in the back. I did use 40/11 (3.636) on the Fernie alternate and in some other downhill runs and the 24/36(.667) was invaluable for grueling climbs after 8 to 9 hours in the saddle.

With a SRam 10-50 and a 34 sprocket in the front, I can get real close to the 2x configuration with 34/50(.68) for climbing and 34/10(3.4) for downhill or flats.

My only concern is the jump between sprockets with a 1x12 setup. With the 2x10 setup, I often find myself just bumping up 1 or down 1 sprocket to get to a cadence that I find comfortable for my level of weariness and the terrain that I am riding.

Does anyone else have experience with a 1x setup for bikepacking?

[Sparkyga]

Running a 1x10 in a SRAM drivetrain at the moment, using a 32T x 11-36. Using it on a 10 kg Santa Cruz Stigmata cross bike, often loaded up to 30 kg at times with panniers for a road tour....

I like it overall, chain doesn't fall off the front chainring and I've got low enough gears for nearly anything I ride in the Rockies. Had no major mechanical issues so far with the drivetrain. Absolutely love the feel of the 1x chain line, feels so unbelievably efficient compared to what I was previously riding on (Rolhoff/3x10's). Components are holding up well; 5000 km so for on the cassette and chainring on 2 chains and I think I can get another 2000 or 3000 km before replacement.

Negatives of the 1x10? Really not a lot of options for different, low gearing cassettes. Almost every easy to buy cassette is 11-36, but finding a 11-42 cassette is a bit more of a challenge if you don't have access to the internet shopping (important if your riding mega miles in regions of the world where biking isn't so popular....). I've also broken a few chains more than I would like. Chains are relatively pricey ... I miss my SS chains that last forever...

[offroute]

I would place reliability (simplicity) and ease of replacement en route at a higher premium than weight. If you think you'll have an issue replacing something on a ride, buy an extra and leave it with a friend who can ship it to you.

No performance difference worth discussing between 2x and 1x that I've set up to my liking for general riding with a bailout gear. I'm just not that concerned with making time out the gate, and after a few days I'll be strong enough that it doesn't matter.

[bakerjw]

In analyzing every aspect that I could think of, I've opted to go with the trusty 2x10 setup.

I'm not sure about others, but when I am climbing long grades, I tend to find a cadence that feels good for how my body feels. On a short training ride (2-4 hours) I will push myself, but on 6+ hour rides, I tend to just let my body determine the pace. I am over 50 with some arthritis so I go with LSD - Long Slow Distance. With an 11-36, the upper ratios are evenly spaced enough that I can click up or down a gear to keep the cadence that I like. With the newer 1x11 and 1x12 ratios, there is a much larger jump between sprocket counts and I don't think that the minor weight savings would justify the loss in the close ratios that I enjoy with my current 2x10 configuration.

Another consideration is component cost. Shimano 1x10 9XX series components have been really dropping in price. The savings there will make it easier to pick up a good lightweight crankset.