Topic: What are to Pro's and Con's on a 1X9 Setup?

[moleminiman]

I'm putting together a bike I bought a shimano Crank that has all 3 rings already on it and trying to decide on whether just to buy a bash gaurd and making it a 1X9 ..............or make it a 27spd with a front derailuer.  What do you think?

[naked indian]

I'm putting together a bike I bought a shimano Crank that has all 3 rings already on it and trying to decide on whether just to buy a bash gaurd and making it a 1X9 ..............or make it a 27spd with a front derailuer.  What do you think?

If I am going to have all the weight up there, then I would rather have the triple and the advantage of mashing the big ring.  In fact, for round here, I would just pull off the granny and keep it a 2 x 9, a big ring and the middle.

BUT, if its easier, 1 x 9 is fun too, I  had a 1 x 7 at one point and that thing hammered.

So, ya, I say go 2 x 9 and beat me to the punch.

[BillT]

I run a 1X9 on my big bike and don't really have problems with anything on it around here.  I run a 34t up front and like a 11-34t in the back and I can pedal the pig up just about anything.  I also have 32t and 36t rings that I can swap to if the need strikes me.  I actually like the 1x9 setup so much that I'll probably make my next xc bike a 1x9 and will only switch to a double or triple if I go out of state with it and need a granny and/or big ring.  If you do do a 1X9, I'd get a chain device to help keep your chain on and would highly recommend the E-13 LG-1 guide.

[jdk]

If you ride WTA a lot it's nice to have the big ring on the front, but other than that you will probably never use it anywhere else in Tampa. Same with the granny gear.

[naked indian]

If you ride WTA a lot it's nice to have the big ring on the front, but other than that you will probably never use it anywhere else in Tampa. Same with the granny gear.

Man I beg to differ.

When I rode with a triple up front or when I do ride with a tripple up front I mash that thing in almost all the trails.  The Big ring, that is.

[Luis]

Man I beg to differ.

When I rode with a triple up front or when I do ride with a tripple up front I mash that thing in almost all the trails.  The Big ring, that is.

agreed

[jdk]

Man I beg to differ.

When I rode with a triple up front or when I do ride with a tripple up front I mash that thing in almost all the trails.  The Big ring, that is.

If that works for you, then by all means rock it out. I'd bet you wont be making too many climbs on gatorback running on the big ring up front, unless you're cross chaining, in which case why even bother using the big ring.

[naked indian]

Man I beg to differ.

When I rode with a triple up front or when I do ride with a tripple up front I mash that thing in almost all the trails.  The Big ring, that is.

If that works for you, then by all means rock it out. I'd bet you wont be making too many climbs on gatorback running on the big ring up front, unless you're cross chaining, in which case why even bother using the big ring.

You can actually do pretty well with the big ring and a 29er wheel and push bigger combos then you could on a 26, like big ring and 4 on the right or big ring and 5 even.  But ya, in Gatorback, I would probably use the middle ring.  But Gatorback is only a mile or two long, theres a whole nother 16 miles of trail you can mash the big ring and escape the peloton with!! LOL
 

[BillT]

Man I beg to differ.

When I rode with a triple up front or when I do ride with a tripple up front I mash that thing in almost all the trails.  The Big ring, that is.

agreed

Well, you guys are supermen and we are just mere mortals
 
I think I nice setup would be a 2X9 with a 38 and maybe a 26 up front.

[naked indian]

Man I beg to differ.

When I rode with a triple up front or when I do ride with a tripple up front I mash that thing in almost all the trails.  The Big ring, that is.

agreed

Well, you guys are supermen and we are just mere mortals
 
I think I nice setup would be a 2X9 with a 38 and maybe a 26 up front.

I agree 2 x 10 is the set up I would like to try soon.  44 - 29 up front, 11 - 36 in the back ten speed cassette.  maybe one day.

[moleminiman]

I run single speed 32X18 and I've cleared everything in Fl. including Gatorback don't ask me how but I made it........Woohoo.  As far as pricing goes I think the 1X9 would be a cheaper way to go?

[naked indian]

I run single speed 32X18 and I've cleared everything in Fl. including Gatorback don't ask me how but I made it........Woohoo.  As far as pricing goes I think the 1X9 would be a cheaper way to go?

It would as long as you got a single speed crankset ready.  I dont know how much chain guides or chain retainers are, but im sure they are not much.  Go 32 x 9 I think you will love it.

[moleminiman]

OK I found Dual X9 shifters with teflon cables and free shipping for $80  couldn't pass up the deal so it looks like i'm going with a 27spd.  That bike is gonna Fly!

[naked indian]

OK I found Dual X9 shifters with teflon cables and free shipping for $80  couldn't pass up the deal so it looks like i'm going with a 27spd.  That bike is gonna Fly!

It will....Use the BIG RING
and  SWEEP THE LEG

[BillT]

and  SWEEP THE LEG

Fear does not exist in this dojo!

[silentneko]

I recently switched to a 1x8 set up and love it! for a bash guard I simply took my big ring and ground the teeth off it with an angle grinder, which took about 3 minutes to do. then I removed the front derailer and shifter and put on a 3rd eye chain keeper. I followed it all up by removing 2 links from the chain. I haven't had any more issues with chain jumping Like I was when it was a 24 speed.

[catman]

I run single speed 32X18 and I've cleared everything in Fl. including Gatorback don't ask me how but I made it........Woohoo.  As far as pricing goes I think the 1X9 would be a cheaper way to go?

I'm running the same gear on my SS 29'r but have yet to clean Gatorback or Moonscape on that particular bike. Provide more details to potentially light a fire under my ass. Few questions:
 
1) Are you on a 29'r
 
2) Was this recently with the repairs done to the paver climb, the last rooty climb, etc?
 
3) Did you do the hard option (boardwalk) around the right side of the tree?
 
4) Have you cleaned Moonscape including all the hard options like Doom and No Dab Ridge?
 
If you answer yes to all these questions I'm officially calling you "The Man".
 
 

[RiskEverything]

I built up the Uber-V as a 1x9, and if I had to do it again I'd have gone 1x8 for the wider chain. The cassette is 11-34 and having one extra gear isn't noticeable.

I recycled my TruVative Stylo cranks & BB but put a 36T BlackSpire MonoVeloce on the middle-ring position. (As a side note, when I replaced these cranks with some new XT on the Rush, I discovered to my surprise that I'd been running a 36T middle ring on the Rush all along.) I use an E.13 LG-1 chain retention system and it's brilliant. Weighs barely any more than a front derailleur, and considering the two less rings, shifter cable, and shifter- there is some weight savings to be had.

Shortly after building that bike, I crashed my Rush with its brand-new XT crankset. The 44T buzz saw did a number on my knee and ended my riding for a month. I'm probably going to replace it with a bashguard unless I'm racing... or start wearing armor.

[moleminiman]

I run single speed 32X18 and I've cleared everything in Fl. including Gatorback don't ask me how but I made it........Woohoo.  As far as pricing goes I think the 1X9 would be a cheaper way to go?

I'm running the same gear on my SS 29'r but have yet to clean Gatorback or Moonscape on that particular bike. Provide more details to potentially light a fire under my ass. Few questions:
 
1) Are you on a 29'r
 
2) Was this recently with the repairs done to the paver climb, the last rooty climb, etc?
 
3) Did you do the hard option (boardwalk) around the right side of the tree?
 
4) Have you cleaned Moonscape including all the hard options like Doom and No Dab Ridge?
 
If you answer yes to all these questions I'm officially calling you "The Man".

 
Yes I am on a 29er monocog Redline
 
It was last Sunday so pretty recently
 
I did not do the boardwalk hard section on Gator back I went around the tree on the left.
 
I've cleaned Moonscape and Doom but have not done the no dab

[catman]

Ok, well that makes me feel a little bit better then. I'm still giving you mad props for making that inital climb up into Doom on a SS. I'm having enough trouble with that damn thing on my geared rig. Sounds like you're a contender for "King of Alafia"...........since I won't be in town for it 

[moleminiman]

I love my Single Speed I found most of the technical stuff is much better just to have one speed.  I get stuff on my single speed more than my geared bike.  Only Prob is on the flats I get burned.  need gears for racing.

[CrazyWhiteGuy]

I climb everything in my middle chain ring. That being said, you won't be keeping up with Greg at flatwoods with that. I've seriously considered it though.

[Dave In Odessa]

I just got finished doing a 1x9 swap on my Redline Monocog Flight 29er.  I loved the SS, but there just wasn't one good gear for riding morris bridge and ridgeline without swapping cogs.  I'm glad I made the swap because so far it works great.  I'm running a bashguard on the outside of my chainring (using the stock Redline chainring bolts BTW) and running an N-gear Jump Stop on the inside of the chainring.  I could probably get by without the jump stop because my chainline is great in all but the biggest cogs in the rear, which I rarely use.

Since I don't ride outside of Florida, I used a SRAM 12-26 9 speed cassette, an X-9 short cage derailleur, and SRAM XO twist shifter.  It still looks sleek, shifts great, and the derailleur isn't hanging down 8" below the frame like on a 3x9 setup. 

[rob_squared]

I just got finished doing a 1x9 swap ... I used a SRAM 12-26 9 speed cassette, an X-9 short cage derailleur, and SRAM XO twist shifter.  It still looks sleek, shifts great, and the derailleur isn't hanging down 8" below the frame like on a 3x9 setup.

That right there is a sweet (and well thought out) set up. i just lusted over another mans bike.... i feel dirty

[Dave In Odessa]

Thanks!  I kinda get OCD when it comes to researching parts before I buy.  In this case that led to what I think is a nice Florida setup.

[hygieneboy]

I just ordered a bash guard, 36T Surly stainless chainring and chain stop to do my 1X9 conversion on my new bike.