best/cheapest way to change gearing

[Racingguy04]

So I'm looking at doing some gravel/paved/rail trail touring and I'd like to use my mountain bike for it. I've got a SRAM 2x10 set up on it right now with 36/22 gearing up front and 11-36 in the rear. I'd like to have more top end for paved sections. Would it be better to get bigger rings for the front like 42-28t, or 39-26t or would a triple (44-33-22t) be better? I'd kind of like to run like 42-26t but would that be too big of a jump for the derailleur to handle? I'd like to keep the spend as low as possible but I'm willing to buy the parts to get the job done right.

[Adam Alphabet]

How about a Oneup components 42T (or 40T) sprocket and some bigger rings the 42/28 you mention above.
http://www.oneupcomponents.com/collections/all-products/products/42-tooth-sprocket

I've been using Oneups with XT cassettes for the last year without issue. I did the AZT on a 42T with a 28T up front. Used the same 42T for the CTR this year and all the riding in between. I have a 40T that I toured New Zealand for a month, rode it all winter and now have on my 'road' bike, Surly Straggler set up 1x10 with a 38T up front and 11-40 (one up'd) XT cassette. They work well for me. SRAM x9 shifter, derailleur, XT 11-36 cassette.

[Racingguy04]

I like it, kind of the best of both worlds without having to buy a new front derailleur or shifter. Do you use a sram chain with the xt cassette?

[Adam Alphabet]

I like it, kind of the best of both worlds without having to buy a new front derailleur or shifter. Do you use a sram chain with the xt cassette?

Yup, 1071.

From the Oneup site:
"Can I use the OneUp Adapter Sprocket on a 2X10 setup?

Yes, typically you’ll need a long cage rear derailleur to use this setup.  You’ll want to double check that rear derailleur capacity.  For a SRAM RD you can get away with a 14T difference in front rings (like a 28/42) and for Shimano you can manage a 12T jump (like a 28/40). 

We don’t recommend using anything smalller than a 26T granny.  With the extra torque you’re making we wouldn't want you to damage your freehub pawls."

[Racingguy04]

So to add the oneup sprocket, I'd have to buy a long cage derailleur which makes it about as expensive as a 3x10. Other than weight and increased complexity, are there any down sides to a 3x10 when compared to a 2x10?

This bike is my everyday trail bike as well as my bike packing bike so I'm thinking that if I get a triple crank, derailleur, and shifter; I can run the triple for bike packing/touring and run the double for local rides. (or who knows, maybe I'll love the triple and keep it on all the time) Is this a crazy idea? I'm a fairly competent bike mechanic but I definitely prefer riding to wrenching. (and I hate adjusting rear derailleurs seems like I never can get it just right and have to settle for good enough)

[Adam Alphabet]

I don't know man, if it were me I'd want to simplify and lighten things if possible and move away from the front derailleur and extra shifts, mechanical issues, repeated gears, etc. I personally couldn't ever see myself going back to a double let alone a triple on my mountain bike for any reason; bikepacking, touring, day riding, anything. I like the mantra less is more, but that's just me. Like most of us I rode triple's most my life and they were fine until we could get 'most' of the same gearing at a 2x and then 1x.....

39/26 with your existing 11-36 might be the best bang for your buck and then just put the 36/22 back on for more mountain type rides.

[nathanfrechen]

Do you need more on the top end? I have a 38/26 in front, 11-26 in the back on my Fargo and have rarely been limited at the top because of gearing. Just curious if you've determined you need it, or if you just think you need it. Not criticizing at all - just pointing out that it may not be necessary.

I'm a huge fan of the 1x setups, but had a conversation with a multiple TD finisher that pointed out one advantage to a multi-ring setup - redundancy if you bend/break/otherwise damage a chainring. Personally I'll continue to run a 1x setup on my non-touring bikes, but run a 2x on my Fargo. You could even forgo the FD and shifter and just have it there in case.

Some food for thought to possibly save some $ and time changing things back and forth.

[Racingguy04]

I do find that I run out of gears on the top end on pavement, I think this will be worse if I add slicks? but running a no FD setup is an interesting idea, and I'm still kind of intrigued by the idea of the oneup mod, I was just hoping to be able to do this for like $100 and it's looking more like $200 with a new rear derailleur.