In this video I am using my Cannondale 29 trail 4 with a 1x 11 speed SLX drivetrain. 34T Chain ring and a 42T cog at the back. How hard is it to climb?
I have a Trek Marlin 8 and recently went from a 32T front ring to 34T, and I have little trouble with hills. Of course, the cassette on the Marlin 8 is an 11-50, which makes a big difference.
32T chain ring or a 30T would be fine I think. My 34T chain ring is pushing it, short climbs is fine, but more technical climbs, you would be looking for the next gear. Slippery climbs also is so hard to maneuver because you can't taper your effort on the cranks, you will most likely slip. That is why on more technical climbs, I used my merida with a 12 speed 50T drivetrain.
If you love climbs and doesn't want to struggle doing it, then go for 12 speed 10 to 50T, or you could get a 2x system with a 11 to 42T. Which is a good gear ratio.
3x is the best. I have 3x7 that's more than enough gears for me. I have 22, 34, 42 front and 12-28 cassette at the back. I almost never use the 22 with the 28. And neither the 42 with 12. This shows that I'm completely covered as far as gearing is concerned. The bike industry managed to convince the sheep that 1x is an upgrade when in reality it is a huge downgrade 😂😂
I think it depends the power of the rider,but if the gradient is higher than 15%maybe 42t will be not enough especially on that kind of terrain which is technical and steep...good luck and ride safe folks.
Stand up as you ride up the hill so you can put more power into the pedals with a higher gear ratio. I ride up steep hills all the time with 36 teeth front and 40 teeth back gears (0.9:1 gear ratio) and it feels fine,
I have a Kona Process 2013 with 26” wheels and 26x2.4” heavy Maxxis tyres. This bike is originally very heavy over 15 kg / 33 lbs. and had 2x10 speed drivetrain front 38T/24T chainrings and cassette 11-36. Now it’s weight is around 12.5 kg / 27.5 lbs. It has 1x10 speed drivetrain with oval Katana NW 34T front chainring and Sunrace MX 11-42 cassette. Wheels are the same but tyres are 26x2.3” Continental Mountain King Protection Black Chili tubeless. Do you think with this tyre size which kind of acts like shorter gearing vs. 29” this will be ok gear ratio? That oval 34T chainring will feel like ”normal” round 32T chainring in the TDC and BDC of the pedaling stroke so it kind of shortens even more the total gear ratio in these places of the pedaling. Then it will feel more like 34T => 36T in the most ”power parts” of the pedaling stroke. I have not tested this bike yet with this modification but will do it when I get my press fit GXP bottom bracket changed first. I think that my bikes 12.5 kg weight with RFR SPD lock pedals is very good for such a big bike. It has still 160 mm Rock Shox Lyric R Coil front fork, stock rear shock with 150 mm travel, brakes are upgraded to Magura MT Trail Sport with 4 caliber front brake 203 mm (was 180 mm) and Magura MT Trail Sport 2 caliber rear brake 180 mm (was 160 mm). Brakes are lighter and have much more power than stock Avid brakes. No dropper seat post anymore. Replaced by Ritchey WCS carbon solid one, lightweight saddle, Ritchey WCS carbon low rise handlebar etc. Rear derailleur is Sram X0 (10 spd) and shifter is new 10 spd Sram X0 too.
Thanks for your video, Vince. On my Trek Marlin 7, I am planning to use an NX cassette 12 speed with XT components. In your opinion, what is the ideal chainring size for XC and trail? Currently I am on FSA 32T.
Why not just go full NX or Shimano's microspline? You're better off with the same drivetrain system because they are designed specifically for it. If you're just running trails 32t is fine. Even 34t is alright.
Is 2x drivetrain good enough(2 by 10) and 42 Cassete at the rear for steep climb Or 1x drivetrain(1x11 or 1x12) is better for steep climbs and 50 cassette at the rear
@@radiocontrolled9181 What kinda hills are you climbing if you need a dinner plate on your wheel? I can climb most hills with a 42 in the front and 25 in the back, ill go 28 if im feeling really weak but if you actually wana be a good cyclist and atleast hold your own among others its good to train hard and push yourself rather than looking for the easy gear out otherwise youll never improve or get stronger and when you get stronger hills get easier. Core baby its all about the core
