Is A 1x Drivetrain The Right Choice For You?

In association with SRAM.

When Pro-Continental team Aqua Blue announced they would be racing on 1x drivetrains for 2018, there were a number of eyebrows raised. Is it possible to have the same gear ratios with a 1x system that you’d have with a standard 2x road set up? Simon believes that you can.

Bikes set up with a 1x drivetrain can differ from traditional road bikes in a number of ways. They are reportedly more aerodynamic, the lack of front derailleur and second chainring improving the airflow around the bottom bracket. They can be built with shorter chainstays, as there is greater clearance between the chainring and the chainstay. This allows the bike to be significantly more responsive than a traditional road bike. And finally, they are quieter over rough surfaces! In order to use a 1x drivetrain, you need a ‘clutch’ rear derailleur, which significantly reduces chain slap compared to a traditional derailleur.

Let us know what you think of 1x drivetrains in the comments below 👇

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[gcn]

Let us know what you think of 1x drivetrains.
👇

I converted my Giant Defy to 1x. Sram 50 tooth at the front and 11/34 compact rear cassette. Added some 50mm zipps and the bike rides smooth as silk. Best change to a bike I ever made!

[JamesLeow]

As a weekend rider, I have been using 1x setup for a while and I loved it. Its so simple and clean, gear ratio works fine on hilly/flat roads. I'm currently using 42t chainring with 11-42t cassette on a titanium frame. Bike weight 7.6kg and it rides really well on most roads. 90rpm on 42t x11t would bring me around 38kmh on a flat road here. (put away speed calculator, considering road/wind/traffic condition) and on climbs I would hit on 42t x 42t, could easily spin up any hills in my township. I also travel with this bike around South East Asia to ride with friends from different countries, the gear ratio just works. :)

Just sharing my opinion on 1x setup as a weekend rider, (Not a racer or associated with any cycling groups)
I still have a 2x setup bike at home....works fine too...but I think I'm leaning towards 1x setup.

Happy Riding guys! :)

[anononomous]

For pros I think the key to 1x would be a more customisable rear cassette and maybe derailleur. I can imagine lightly larger gaps aren't such and issue if you can fully customise your ratios to the rider and the days profile, which I think is a simpler and more realistic prospect with a 1x setup. Heck, if it's a pan flat stage and you're running a 1x why not drop down to a 7 speed for the day :-)

As a very-much-non-pro for me I could live with the lightly larger gaps for the simplicity and neatness of the setup. For casual riding as long as I have the range I can live with slightly more variation in cadence.

Most prominent here though is quite how heated this comments section is. Some cyclists be crrrrazy about how they think things should be :-)

[D.Eldon_]

Great subject and video. I switched to a 1x for my road bike last year and I'm very happy. But I disagree with one point -- you do NOT need a clutch derailleur on the rear. The clutch mechanism is primarily needed for cyclo-cross and off-road use. It would probably be a good idea for a gravel bike, too. That's because it's primary purpose is to minimize chain slap when riding on rough trails while shifted into a small sprocket. However, on the road chain slap is not usually an issue. If you're using a 11x32 cassette or smaller, the chain will be plenty tight enough and you can use a regular road rear derailleur. In fact, that's what Tony Martin did with his TT bike -- he had a road SRAM eTap rear derailleur (which does not use a clutch). I've been using a conventional rear derailleur with my 1x setup on the road and have had zero problems. I plan to upgrade to an eTap system in the near future.

[KenGoddard]

This should take the heat off disc brakes/gravel bikes/sock length for a while 😊

[vr]

Im using a 40x 10-42 love it for commuting

[benclark]

I’ve been using the Force 1X drive for about 7 months. Recently completed a 100k Grand Fondo  with 6000 ft. of climbing here in Korea on my 1X. The only drive train that got more stares or questions was my friend on his single speed.  I love the 1x and can’t see going back.  Thanks GCN for the objective review of a great system.

[milosmiljkovic]

Keep preaching about wonders of 1x! I have SRAM Apex 1 on my commuter and it's wonderful. Can go anywhere with 44/11-42. Plus, that crankset has nice and clean look.

[erikcalissendorff]

Upgraded my bike a year ago, best upgrade so far.

Raced Vätternrundan a 300km race here in Sweden at a respectable 8h so didn't make me any slower.

You simply can't beat the simplicity and confidence that you get in a 1x when there's nothing that can go wrong with your front chainring.

[Ninja_Revenge]

I use 42 chainring with 11-34 cassette on my CAADX cyclocross and I love it! Simple, light, good-looking!

[BanjoJo]

When I first started cycling within the last year, I used to cycle on a x3 drivetrain, usually on the middle ring but now having made so much progress I'm usually maxing out on the biggest ring and highest gears. I feel like an upgrade soon is necessary.

I only paid £100-130 on my first bike.

[peytoncox]

On my road bike I put on a 1x and a 10-42 cassette and just LOVE it. I would highly recommend it if you live in a place with more mountains.

[cup_and_cone]

Most common pro setups are 53/39 with 11-28 for flats, and 50/36 with 11-32 for mountains. The closest you can get in 1x would be 50T ring and 44-10T MTB cassette and XD driver, using an aftermarket cassette expander for the 44T. Have fun with the huge ass steps between that!!!

[JoshHefnerX]

The thing you neglected is the fact that on a 2x system you may only need to change 1 gear (front ring) when going up and down the hills - whereas when all you have is your rear 11-cog set then you are going to have to do many changes up and down to get where you want to be.

[williammacqueen]

1X are here to stay! I just bought a Specialized Awol comp and I really like the simplicity. I plan on using it for touring. Traditionalist will surely turn up their noses, but some riders need to move on. It’s not a coincidence that 1x has emerged from mountain and off road applications. Older riders like me can extend their yrs of riding enjoyment by embracing lower gearing and simpler mechs. My days of trying to race youngns are done, but adapting off road tech to road bikes will enable older riders to continue enjoying the sport without retrofitting 3x. Besides, 1x looks way better and cleaner than the alternatives!

[ilikewasabe]

Converted my commuter to a 1x9, works for me since i rarely shift out of my 34T front chainring.. Works for me.. Its one less thing to wear out. Dunno about the pro scene though

[KL]

I have 44t * 11-28t on a 20" wheel bike (Cannondale Hooligan) and works great! Just right for riding in a city and nearby.

[Andy_ATB]

I'd always have a 2X for my main road bike; however, for my MTB and CX/Gravel/Winter bike, 1X is the way to go.

[jayleppanen]

While bike-travelling my front derailleur malfunctioned and I was was forced to do with only the smaller chainring (34T). I had something like 12-28 in the back. I then noticed that I really don't need the bigger (50T) chainring that much; I hardly need to pedal in speeds over 30km/h. So now I am considering 1xdrivetrain as permanent solution.