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3x10 vs 2x10 vs 1x10

17K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  mexico 
#1 ·
Im looking to build an xc bike and I need to decide on gearing options. If someone could please list the pros and cons of each system and the gear ratio charts for each(30spd: 22-33-44 x 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 22, 25, 28, 32, 36; 20spd: 28-42 x 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 28, 32; 10spd: 34 x 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 28, 32)
 
#3 ·
Go here to figure out the gear ratios.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

3x10 = Most options. Some might be unnecessary depending on your fitness and terrain.
2x10 = Less options but all the gears that most people would ever want.
1x10 = You'll have the most common gears but might suffer during climbs and/or fast flats.

1x10 is awesome if you know where you'll be riding and pick the correct chainirng size for that terrain. If you're going to race on lots of different courses you might need two or three different chainring options. That can get expensive and time consuming fiddling with your bike.

Go for some rides on whatever you have and keep track of the gears you use. You're the only one that knows what you need.
 
#4 ·
Figure out what the highest and lowest ratios you currently use are, and make the decision from there.

You can just refer to those cassettes as 11-32, 12-36, etc.

The most obvious thing I would change is if I were going 10 speed, I'd want the 11-36 cassette.
 
#7 ·
I had spent a few weeks going over the 1x10 or stick with the current 3x9 set up. I was after a more simplistic set up. Weight wasn't a factor in changing.

I chose to go the 1x10 with a 28 tooth Widget chain ring and a 11-36 cassette. I am not the fittest of riders but I hope to change to a 32t chain ring later on once my fitness increases.

I chose the 28 due to the area where I will do most of my riding. A hill that has a 2 to 4km hill climb. The climb is straight up with no respite. If I was riding a fairly flat area I would have gone 32t.

Use the sheldonbrown website to help you choose the chain ring that will suit you the best.
 
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