Most durable winter drivetrain?

[66 triumph daytona]

Following on from another discussion here,I always thought that certain drivetrains were more durable than others and that Shimano 9 speed was up there as an excellent winter drivetrain.However some lads have pointed out that the opposite is true and 10/11 speed drivetrains put less stress on chains and thus are more hardy.My only experience of winter riding with anything over 9 speed was Sram 10 speed and it wasnt good.Any thoughts?

 

[rwm1962]

Certainly 1x 10/11/12 puts more wear on a chain due to the chainline you have to use

 

[66 triumph daytona]

This was quoted in the other thread,an interesting read.https://www.pinkbike.com/news/4-key-fac ... -test.html

 

[greencat]

Suspect some (a lot?) of the variation comes down to rider differences and technique.

I went through my first mountain bike's chain and cogs in 6 weeks (200GS) back in the day. My current modern mountain bike's drivetrain (SRAM GX 11spd) has done 1500 miles and counting. I've got an old marin 7spd (it's never out of the middle ring) which must have done close on twice that - often with heavy loads like firewood, trailer etc and beyond the odd dash of oil, near zero maintenance. I reckon I'm a lot kinder to drivetrains now - no standing on the pedals, shifting under load etc. I'll even walk up some steep hills. I also spread the wear around - my best bike is no longer my do it all bike (I have a number of old bikes for shopping etc).

 

[rwm1962]

My lad rode 12sp Eagle & if he wasn't breaking chains in short order he was wearing them out fast. I do more miles but much, much gentler riding & chains last much longer. The bike tech we use reckons it's the chainline on 1x12 but maybe riding style is the main factor.

 

[jimo746]

Re:

1x1. Problem solved

 

[Woz]

Re: Re:

1x1. Problem solved

This. One Shimano DX sprocket, a stainless steel chain ring (Onza buzz saw) and a good ole SRAM 8 speed chain.

 

[rwm1962]

Very appealing but think I'm too old to get fit enough for the hills on 1x1!

 

[Sketchyxup]

It would be easy to say 8sp or whatever due to the thicker chains, but iv got nothing but amazement by how long my SRAM GX 1x11 has lasted, it's been through hell and back and still works flawlessly.

 

[Woz]

It would be easy to say 8sp or whatever due to the thicker chains, but iv got nothing but amazement by how long my SRAM GX 1x11 has lasted, it's been through hell and back and still works flawlessly.

Most expensive SRAM 8 speed chain PC870 on chainreaction.com = £12
Most expensive SRAM 11 speed chain PC1170 on chainreaction.com = £23

.....soooooo. There is a £ per Km element - which would define durability in financial terms, it beckons
the question is the SRAM 11 speed chain twice as durable as the SRAM 8 speed chain?