1x or 2x Cranksets / Drivetrains for Gravel Bikes?

There is a dilemma in the world of gravel cycling relating to the crankset / drivetrain. Admittedly, it is a first world problem but the question being posed is:

1x or 2x drivetrain? Or single or double chainring?... if you prefer.

JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew canvassed a stack of riders on the start line at the 2017 Rebecca's Private Idaho with this very question.

[JogieGlenMait]

When I'll be 60 years old, I'll go 3x the whole fucking way with 11-50 casette.

[OffTheSaddle]

I just ride it was the best answer by far!!

[astrayagrarian]

Lmfao at that last guy “1X is the future”
You’re not gonna have any knees in the future to ride if you keep sticking to 1X.

[rickardlaufer]

100% 2* for me :-D
Part from 1* vs 2*, i would like a deeper insight in the chainline when it comes to 12*142 rear.
Seems many claims the spacing of the cassette is same as with 130-135. Still Campa now jumps the train with wider chainline when it comes to 12*142.
I have had long lasting issues with chain jumping, now i am sure it's due to narrow chainline.

[theonlyalan]

I have 1X on every single bike i own or have owned the last 7 years with the exception of my 80's Touring bike which is 2 x 6

[KenGoddard]

I've got 2x but sometimes I wish it was 3x!

[ThePonycat]

Oh my goodness all those people in that video have no mask on that's what I like about watching old videos and groups of people. The good old days😌.

🤣🤣🤣

[hmascuba]

oh that's Sooo sad. why does most riders there wanted go ridiculously slow, might as well get a BMX bike to ride. Personally on my own experience, nothing could come close to the amazing versatility that 3x offers. 3x is perfect for climbing ridiculous mountains and going extremely fast down mountains or when riding on a flat trail, offering comfort and improving the endurance needed for longer and faster rides. 3x The best.

[bikebudha]

1x is the worst invention for bicycle in the history of bicycles. Unless you ride 100% on level/flat bike paths. 1x makes you give up either/both the high end and low end of the range. And MOST IMPORTANTLY, it creates massive jumps between gears. Which means you will ALWAYS be either spinning/grinding in the 'wrong' gear. Which means you lose out on tons of fun on those long steep decents, as you'll spin out in the first 50 feet and be forced to coast down. And, even worse, you're 3 hours into the ride, you're 30 minutes in on an hour climb and you don't have the right gear for how you feel right now.
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Proof 1x is a scam. Many brands will sell the exact same spec bike with the optioin for 1x or 2x. They are the same price. But the 1x has less 'stuff' and SHOULD be much cheaper. It's not. It's a way for companies to spend that much less money making the bike, and get that much more of your money when you buy it.
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Bike companies also try and claim it allows them 'more freedom' to design the bike (especially for mtb). Bullshit. They are just lazy. There are plenty of great suspension designs out there that can accomodate a 3x (Niner rkt's can run a 3x).

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Real world testing, for me at least. When I bought my last mtb I test road 6-8 bikes. Every one of them had 1x. I was coming off 3x. I found 1x to suck. For the exact opposite conclusion Shimano used in grx system. It's most important to have small jumps between gears when you are climbing, especially steep climps. I ended up purchasing the aformentioned Niner rkt just to keep a 3x. A friend of mine, who is in better shape, also got a niner but with the 1x. We ride together often and he has to shift more than I do. He's dropped more chains than I have. He's had to push up more steep hills than I have. He has to work harder to stay ahead of me on the flats (it's so fun to watch someone 'power' the flats in a 1x while you are casually pushing in your big ring on a 3x...)

[sodalitia]

I wonder how many one by's had an oval on top of it :D

[A.M]

1x all the way from here on out for me.

[JosephDiaz]

1x on everything I have except the cargo bike.

[dingane]

So funny, for someone from my part of the world, that backwards v sign they're doing for two would mean 'fuck off'. It looks to me like a very hostile response!