1x12 conversion

[doctor-bond]

Some quite compelling arguments for 1x, but I’m holding out for 1x14 before locking in: will need that 8t rear to match what my 48t big ring triple set can do on the long downhills at Dalby ….

 

[hamster]

I'm cynical enough to believe that Sram pushed 1x because their mtb front mechs were shit and/or Shimano hold patents that prevented them doing it better.

Definitely agree!

The problem I have is that the ever-narrower chains and sprockets have shorter lives, worsened by more extreme chainlines. Add in the smaller distances for everything and it all more tetchy on stuff like alignment.

But that's fine, I don't have to buy it (and I won't).

 

[AirHead]

Some quite compelling arguments for 1x, but I’m holding out for 1x14 before locking in: will need that 8t rear to match what my 48t big ring triple set can do on the long downhills at Dalby ….

You could keep your 48t big ring and lose the lowest couple ratios with the 11-50 cassette.. 50:48 = 27:26. Depends on your terrain and such I suppose

 

[Cloverleaf]

Definitely agree!

The problem I have is that the ever-narrower chains and sprockets have shorter lives, worsened by more extreme chainlines. Add in the smaller distances for everything and it all more tetchy on stuff like alignment.

But that's fine, I don't have to buy it (and I won't).

Ditching the front mech was predominantly pushed by manufacturers wanting to build decent 29" long travel frames and still have decent width tyres fitted. Front mechs add nearly an inch to the chainstay length if you want it to clear anything wider than 2.2" which slows handling among other things. Losing the front mech to me is one of the major advancements in the MTB because it means you can put suspension pivots where they need to be, make them wider for stiffer and stronger connections, and have a shorter back end even with a 29" wheel while fitting a 2.5" tyre in there. For the abuse I put my bike through and the predominantly crap conditions it gets ridden in I'm mightily impressed with SRAM X01 Eagle longevity. The current cassette is on 7000km of mud, slop and torridonian sandstone grit. Chains last about 2000km. This is by far the toughest drivetrain I've used, from 8spd XTR all the way up to 11spd, and includes 9/10spd SRAM XO. I don't like SRAM as a company and don't generally like their design philosophies but man, their Eagle cassettes and chains are fantastic. I think 9spd was the real down point in drivetrains as the chains were thinner than the materials and design would allow, and the front derailleur allowed things to slap about more. I don't have exact logs but 9spd cassettes and chains never seemed to last in my use, whereas 10spd was better if not as good as M950, and then 11spd was faultless if you avoided Shimano XT cassettes which seemed to be made from chocolate.

 

[bikeworkshop]

^this^
the front mech limits mtb frame design in this area

 

[Suprachrgd82]