XC racing with 2x10 vs 3x10?

Discussion in 'Racing and Training' started by fongster, Jul 27, 2013.

  1. CarbonLegs

    CarbonLegs Search for ultimate ride.

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    Direction of the thread 3, 2, possible single. I took the leap to single crank for shaving weight and XX1 was made efficiently that of the Cassette, in my opinion. 32 worked great for starters, moved to 34 on stock cassette. Now im discovering 32,34,36 is much efficient with designated cassette from the group. Alltho i do miss my 2x 39-26 12-36 for the sake of gearing/bailout and what not - but i dont miss the full 1lbs i removed, noise and potential failure point.

    http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/workshop/67009-installing-xx1-single-crank-xtc.html

    Maybe some of this will help as past experience, i do have mix emotions on 1x vs 2x from time to time, but going from 3 to 2x, would depend on what exactly you are trying to achieve !!!

    M.
     
  2. Judge Shredd

    Judge Shredd Member

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    I raced Aliso this year on a FS 26er with a 26-38 2x9 crankset and an 11-34 cassette and was perfect for that race. Climbing mathis was a bear, but i was able to climb it faster than last years aliso race. I took about 3minutes off my mathis climb time by changing the gearing.
     
  3. duke777

    duke777 Active Member

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    SRAM XX1 1x11! Enough said!:bang:
     
  4. Varaxis

    Varaxis Trail Ninja

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    Without hitting you with a wall of text, do a search on "anti squat curve". Also, you can check out http://linkagedesign.blogspot.com/

    I would also advise that you consider XX1, or a 1x setup. I run a 1x10 setup with Shimano drivetrain, except for the crank, on my Air 9 RDO. There are compromises for sure, but I honestly think it comes out ahead despite those trade offs.

    Oh, and I took 24 minutes off my climb on San Juan to cocktail rock all because I had a 1x10 setup. I would've rode it in 1h 30m if I had a 2x or 3x setup. Yep. 8-[
     
  5. FijiRob

    FijiRob Member

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    Why a 27.5 over a 29er?
     
  6. Rivet

    Rivet Active Member

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    Classic, gotta laugh how people say you have to run a certain setup. If you are not getting on the podium in expert and above it doesn't make a hill of beans difference what you use. Anybody that thinks it does is fooling themselves. Run what you want just make sure its adjusted correctly.
     
  7. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    Here's a quote from a brilliant mind posted on another thread just yesterday:

    A vast majority of threads and posts on this site are trying to convince somebody that one thing is better than its functional equivalent. Trying to apply a scientific method to a problem of relativity and aesthetics is a pointless exercise - but kind of fun.

    http://www.socaltrailriders.org/for...ducation-turn-into-spinal-tap.html#post996955
    post #7

    Fongster - there is a tremendous similarity between your two most recent threads. You suffer from the anxiety that you need to change something major on your bikes in order to scratch some itch caused by too many product options, too much hype and too much thinking. Pair that with downtime, purchasing power and a desire to constantly tinker and you have a recipe for obsessive/compulsive upgraditis (or its derivative - changeitis - change for the sake of change). You and Mo need to form a support group, although I am guessing it would backfire and you would each walk away committed to getting a shorter stem and wider bars (do they make bars wider than Mo's?). My suggestion?

    ...buy a pair of socks, or maybe some new grips.

    Putting something new on your bike or body will increase your desire to ride, regardless of how insignificant it is. OK, maybe not valve stem covers - but then again...

    On point - I love my 2x10 setup. 24/36 in front, 11-36 in back. 26" wheels. Full suspension. Is it best for racing? Dunno - I don't race. I love the logic that you will knock time off your climbs by going with taller gearing. Forced suffering vs just choosing a tougher gear of your own volition.

    Whatever turns your cranks people... BTW, did you notice all of the scientific proof being offered to help you decide something that is mostly a matter of feel and taste? Gotta love me some charts and graphs!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 19, 2013
  8. ridinrox

    ridinrox Well-Known Member

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    Chris - cut them some slack; with age comes wisdom. BTW: we pretty much have the same bike set-up (22/32 in front, 11/36 in back for me)!! :bang:
     
  9. jimmymats

    jimmymats Member

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    This is me to a tee! Count me in for the support group. LOL.

    As far as the original question, I've tried the double and like it okay. I could see where it might be good for XC racing. For the trail riding I like though, I really like the 32t up front. Often I found the big on the double (39/26) was a little too big to spend that much time in, and I didn't like the 26 for varying up and down terrain. I'm back to appreciating the triple, where the middle is where I spend most of the time, but the big and small are nice to have when I need them.

    The 1 x 11 sounds interesting, but too much of an investment right now, even with my bad upgraditits.
     
  10. fongster

    fongster Active Member

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    Thanks for your insight but please cut me some slack. I don't have time to post all the reasoning behind my asking stuff but this should help you understand where I'm coming from.

    1) on the 2x vs 3x--I was about to drop $4K+ on a new 29er (and actually did and went 2x), don't you think that it would be wise to get the best possible gear choice before doing so?

    2) on the 26 to 27.5 conversion thread, the bike above is a 29er carbon HT. I would still like to have a f/s fun/trail/XC bike too. My question is, do I drop another $4+ K on a 29er f/s like a Hei Hei Supreme or a Tallboy or just spend $1000-$1500 on a wheel/tire upgrade for my existing f/s?

    3) while I appreciate all the deep data some people offered, I am not that analytical to really use it. It makes my head spin. So does banking and investment talk. If guys can collect and digest that stuff, good for them. They're just trying to help.

    4) lastly, once my gear is set (and I don't over-think it as much as you'd assume I do) I ride it until it breaks. My last bike before the SC Santa Cruz was a steel HT I rode for 21 years.
     
  11. jimmymats

    jimmymats Member

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    Just my opinion: if you just bought a 29er carbon hardtail, I'd keep the Superlight as is and save up for a 5-6" travel fun trail bike. A 29er FS like the ones you mentioned are great bikes, but will overlap more in use with your hardtail. The upcoming Kona Process 111 (29) or 134 (650B) have me intrigued.
     
  12. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    Sorry - just trying to have a little fun and point out our tendencies to overthink everything. Myself included. I just think human behavior is fascinating. Occupational hazard, I guess. My 4 quips to your 4 points...

    1.) Yes, but nobody but you can tell you what gearing is right for you. Still, I get the value in soliciting opinions.
    2.) Or, just continue to enjoy your very-capable 26er.
    3.) Me too and Amen!
    4.) Noble and rare. Good on ya!

    Again - not trying to ruffle feathers, just having some fun with our tendencies as obsessed mountain bikers.

    :beer:
     
  13. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    OK, point taken. I was trying to demonstrate the silliness of human behavior - mine included - especially as it concerns decision making among obsessed mountain bikers. We all try so hard to justify the next purchase - if you get some distance, it's really quite amusing.

    :wave:
     
  14. Tri_Danimal

    Tri_Danimal No More Uphill? :-(

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    I have ridden 3x, 2x and 1x. I am currently riding 1x10 (33 x 12-36). I had the 2x and 3x on a 26" FS and the 1x is on my 29" HT. I am really kicking myself in the pants for going with the 1x, should have gone with the 2x out of the gates. I think it would have made the hills more fun to climb, as much as I bitch about the climbs I love the pain deep down inside.
     
  15. ridinrox

    ridinrox Well-Known Member

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    I LOVE your sense of humor!!...don't ever change it. I was having fun as well - poking fun at oneself is quite therapeutic. ;)
     
  16. ridinrox

    ridinrox Well-Known Member

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    My husband wants to put me into a 1x11 bc I keep dropping the chain when I use it as a bail-out option. He scolds me for not using the smaller gears on the big ring; I pleaded w him: Don't take my small ring....I need it!! <whimper whimper>
     
  17. fongster

    fongster Active Member

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    I just rode a borrowed bike with 1 x 11 (32 x 10-42) I liked it a lot. Tri_Danimal's 33 x 12-36 sounds a hair painful to me (one higher chainring tooth and 4 less on the cassette). I did like the simplicity, felt a bit weird not having a left shifter. You'd have to try it yourself to see if it's low enough gearing for you.

    Rox--here's an update on the 1 x 11I rode: I just found out it's not that. It's actually a 1 x 10 (32 x 11-36). I thought it was 1 x 11. I didn't run out of gears top end nor on the low end but I was close and almost was wishing for one more cog to bail me out. I got thru it though.
     
  18. bikerider

    bikerider New Member

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    Fongster, I have a 1 x 10 set up on on my 29 HT 32 11-36. At first it was not pleasant climbing the bigger hills. But you either adapt or get stronger, similar I believe to SS'ing. I don't have quite the range I want for all around riding on this set up though and would not choose it for racing (I prefer the longer distance stuff). My 3x10, on my FS 29er does everything I need and with the type 2 derailleur there is no issue with dropping chains. I am trying to justify going to a 2X10 set up and will eventually do it when I succumb to upgraditis and change my crankset. For me 2X makes sense, gives you low enough for climbing anything and has enough top end when you are flat out on a smooth descent that people won't gap you.
     
  19. wheeler

    wheeler Member

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    My last bike before the SC Santa Cruz was a steel HT I rode for 21 years.

    I ain't b good at math and such but I think you may have gott'in your money's worth out of that bike........:)
     
  20. Rivet

    Rivet Active Member

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