Shimano 1x vs 2x | Which Drive Train Is Better For Mountain Biking?

In association with Shimano.
1x or 2x. It's the modern debate in the Mountain Bike World. Despite many switching over to 1x, many are still holding true to 2x systems. So Neil and Scotty are here to weigh up the pros and cons of each system to help you choose!

With the introduction of 1x systems and narrow wide chain rings taking the MTB world by storm a few years ago, there is a still a place for 2x systems and Neil and Scotty are here to help you choose.

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[schlooonginator]

I still like my 3X set up, and heres why...
I am admittedly old skool and back in the day a mountain bike was a mountain bike. There was no "XC, Trail, Enduro, Free ride, all mountain and DH specific bikes.
It was a bike that did it all, simple.
I still adhere to this principle, not just because its old skool but because its way cheaper and, in a way, more fun.
When I go for a ride I grab my bike, I don't have to ponder the specific terrain I will ride, I just go and figure it out.
In a way, all this specialization has sapped soome of the fun and freedom that mountain biking used to entail with people expected to have a quiver of bikes, this turns off a lot of people considering the prices of bikes.
I have a 3X on a hardtail 29er that I have customized via tires and things like handle bars and stems to fit my riding.
My one bike takes me anywhere and this is, to me, the true essense of mountain biking.

[Papafou]

great video. I am a big fan of 2x. I need it for the climbs and to keep consistent cadence. for me versatility wins over simplicity

[Pienimusta]

Used to be: "I have 27 gears", "ooh, thats so cool, i have only 21"
Nowadays: "I have 11 gears", "wow, thts so cool, i still have 'only' 27"

[onlyonecannoli]

I'll approach this from the perspective that's seldom discussed, but is perhaps the most important one. The decision has a lot to do with the weight of your bike, your own weight, and (most importantly) your power to weight ratio and fitness. If you are on a light bike, are light yourself, and are in good shape, then your power to weight ratio and fitness will likely allow you to either use a cassette with more closely spaced gearing without requiring such wide low gear spacing or a cassette with wider gearing will not affect you as much. If you're that guy, then a 1-11/1-12 setup may be just what you want, because you are able to climb easily within that range even with larger gaps in gearing. And if you like that type of setup, then it is absolutely perfect for you.

If you are on the heavier side, regardless of fitness, and/or your bike is heavier, then you may want to consider 2-3 chainring arrangements upfront with a smaller cassette with less gear separation. The advantages are that it will 1) let you maintain the right cadence to maximize your output while minimizing your pedaling effort (you won't gas out as quickly); 2) You will be able to dial in a better gear on the flats, not just on climbs; and 3) You will be able to tackle those longer steeper climbs much better than you would with a 1x setup.

The 1x setups are all the rage now, but they are not necessarily simpler as often described or the best choice for everyone. Yes, it is 1x so you are not dealing with a front derailleur and an additional shifter and chainring, but now you've added an exceptionally larger/heavier cassette and longer chain that results in more chain slap, requiring derailleurs with clutch mechanisms to pick up the slack and chain guides (as seen in this video) to keep the chain from popping off at the crank.

A properly functioning 2-3 front chainring setup is always going to provide better gearing options. An electric shifter/derailleur combo is the ideal solution. Provides quick and accurate shifting, even under load, and provides seamless transitions even when shifting the front and rear at the same time (at least they do in road bikes). That would allow one to have the best of both worlds. Proper gearing for any condition and simple and effortless shifting.

And I am 100% right because I said so. What more proof do you need ;-)

[Toejamscruff]

Shoutout to the sound person! Incredible clarity and "muck" noise as they're cycling through mud! The camera and sound people really make these videos extra special!

[Mathesius]

2019, anyone still on 3x9 like me? :-D

[shreder]

3x10 XT/XTR on both my 26' bikes, runs perfect for me

[stanpol]

They missed the one of the most important factors. This is that chain alignment with the 1 by drivetrain is very poor. Meaning that the chain is running bend towards the cassette and chainwheel. Meaning that you lose watts and chain wear is increased on the 1by therefore, you go through more chain on the 1by that on the 2by. This why I prefer 2 by.

[ellenoz]

I'm a XC Marathon 2x9 advocate for many years and the only change I'll make is to move to a 2x10 when I'm much older in maybe 15 years time.. 2x Rules for me.!!

[JS-ckrx]

I'm in the 2x group. Living in Yorkshire I'm going uphill just as much as I'm going down. Spending time on both mountain bike and road bike I can't handle big gaps in the cassette, like my cadence to be comfortable. Having said that on my 2x I very rarely drop my chain. Thanks for the vid guys!

[bazzdove]

I use my 29er hardtail as a commuter bike as well, with another set of wheel with road tyres.
I need 2x to have enough top end speed on the road.

[blacklight]

3x - I prefer the smooth feel and quiet of a straight chain line, along with super low climbing gears and a faster top gear.

[Mububban]

I'm a skinny low powered rider. I have a compact 50-34 crank and 11-32 cassette on my road bike, and I use every one of my easy gears when climbing.
I recently bought a 1x11 dual sus MTB with 32 crank and 11-46 cassette. Took it up a ~1km 8% climb covered in slippery dry dusty pea gravel, and did not run out of gears. So 1x is fine for even us low powered spinners, much like a 34-32 is great on road.
I love the simplicity, not that I didn't know how to intuitively shift gears after a lifetime of practise on 3x gearing, but not having to shift the front chain rings is just one less thing to think about. So far it's all positives and no negatives.

[CrustyCrip]

Previous bike was 3x9. Went for 1x11 on current bike because it was cheap. It's obvious now that was a bad decision, should have selected 2x10.

[Munchkinross]

Personally, I really love my 2x10 drivetrain. I moved from a 3x8 system which was a bit cumbersome, but the 2x10 system is really versatile without being cumbersome.
On the trails that I ride, some parts can be technical and the need to switch from high to low gears quickly is very easy on a 2x system, the opposite is true when reaching a peak and going down a hill and switching to higher gears quickly. Also it seems I can ride faster down hills on the 2x drivetrain, and steep hills are easier on the 2x drive train. Seems the range on a 2x drivetrain is higher. The extra weight is well worth it to keep my 2x drivetrain.

[ronaldtartaglia]

believe it or not I still run a 3 by on the front of my GT sensor. my terrain where I ride goes from extremely technical to 600 foot climbs to Wide Open Fire roads. And sometimes I actually ride from my front door to the mountain so I use every single gear and every single ring when I go riding. especially when I'm on down hill fire roads I'm in Top Gear Full Throttle and I pedal away from every single person that doesn't have that extra big third ring on the front.

[andypaul]

1x11 XT, but to be honest i prefered my old 2x10 XT.

[tkeffer]

2X - More range - Less chain cross up - Bigger front chain ring, more high end speed.

[mtbl]

I'm still riding my single-speed tricycle. Hope that's good enough

[hugoburton]

I run a 1x and it's great. The 1 disadvantage is if you're in the easiest gear (or second easiest) and you pedal backwards really fast, it causes the chain to drop down to a harder gear