Good explanation. I did do a 1x10 on my trance x29. Just thought I'd throw it out there that depending on what drive train you currently run, going 1x can be quite reasonable. For instance, mine cost me $35. Since my bike was 2x10 all I did was remove the front derailleur remove the 2 chainrings and replaced the center (top on 2x) ring with a racefae 32 tooth narrow wide. Shortened up the chain just a bit and done. So for those people who even have a 3x drive train the crank will usually work as long as it has a 104 BCD and put the single ring in the center spot. So keeping in mind not changing the crank, 10 speed cassette - $40 (sram pg1030). 10 speed shifter - $30(sram x5/7). 10 speed chain $25. 10 speed clutch type derailleur $70(sram x7 type 2). Single ring $40(raceface etc.). This can really be done on a budget for under $200. Keep up the videos. Oh and on a side note I did a 1x10 on another bike that was running a sram x7 non-clutch derailleur and it has yet to throw a chain with the narrow wide race face ring. The bike is a 26" so the chainstays are reasonably short. I wouldn't recommend it if you are a real aggressive rider, but it seems to work fine.
Matt Pierce I guess except the advantage of reducing chain drop, I still don’t see any other benefit of going the 1x. Clint went with an 11-36 here on the rear cassette; in steep terrain or trails, a person can run out of juice pretty fast. Clint admit he lives in pretty flat terrain, but here in the PNW. He talks about weighing in on fitness and type of riding influencing cassette choice - I think that’s a hugely overlooked item. That’s where I think the 2x system has so more flexibility than a 1x. Clint is fortunate than he can have two different bikes, one set up with a 1x and one with a 2x. Not everyone has that fortune, and has 1 bike. I traded for a bike last year that has a 1x10, 32 up front 11-36 in back. I also have an older bike with a 3x system, and I find it the older bike gives me so much more terrain flexibility than the cool new bike. I have on order a 11-42 cassette to replace the new bike cassette, which will allow more flexibility, but the gaps between gears will be greater. IMO, it’s still tough to beat a well adjusted 2x derailleur. I was about to jump on the 1x bandwagon worh my other bikes, but I’ll stick with the 2x and 3x for now, and make sure the front derailleur and chain are maintained and adjusted.
I now run a 1X9 on my road bike. Race Face 40Tnw chainring with 12-36 in the back. Works like a champ. No need for a chain guide, no need for redundant gear ratios.
I'm changing my 26er to a 1x 10, using the 32T race face with XT 11-36 cassette and Shimano Zee+, as you said, climbing should be a little better using this combo with 26" wheels at least I'm hoping so. The old Trek 6700 should feel like a new bike after this.
Great post. Thanks for sharing. I bite the bullet and converted from 2x10 to 1x10. Very happy with it so far but I still need to do the One Up 42T install. There are steep rides out here.
great video, thanks. I love the raceface 34t on my 29er xc bike, I replace it with a 30t when I go to the mountains. I have the XT derailleur but use a XTR shifter because it shifts 2 gear up at a time and is more precise at every gear.
I have a 1x10 set up with a 42t cog and raceface nw chainring. I am still playing around with the 42t cog as the chain can slip out of the cog when pushing hard. The chainring holds the chain on great without a clutch derailleur. I still haven't dropped a chain on some pretty rough trails!
Great info. Basically what I did to my FTM and Titus HT. I think spending the extra bucks on new XTR is worth the expense. Also worth noting I do replace the chain every 500-600 miles and cassette double that. What's your experience. I totally clean and lube the bike every ride. Sorry I have a little OCD and I like everything perfect working order ;)
Thanks for the info, much appreciated. I just ordered a 30t narrow wide for my Kona fire mountai. I intend to try it out on my stock 9 speed cassette and deraileur initially. From then on I'll see if I need to upgrade to a 10 speed.
Nice video. Just converted my my 3x9 to 1x9 using almost all my existing components. 32t 9sp racering , 9sp HG61 11-32 cassette, new rear 9sp xt mech SGS (in case I want to go back to 3x setup), HG-53 9sp chain and custom fabricated chain retention device. The whole thing costs me about $131. I will be changing the cassette to a HG-61 12-36 ($30 & will replace 12t with 11t from old cassette ). No narrow/wide ring or clutch rear mech-works great. Brand new 1x9 drivetrain for well under $200.
I was actually thinking of converting my giant xtc 29er to a 1x9 or 10, just because i don't really shift my front gears all too much. I typically just leave it on the middle ring and shift my rear gears. Thanks for the review clint :)
I just got the Wolf GC 42t conversion kit, and a RF narrow wide 34t. This will go on my Specialized Epic, replacing the 2x10. This conversion is inexpensive, and works great.
Great how to video. My bike is entry level and I've upgraded a few things. I had planned to go 1x10. Originally my bike was 3x8. I have gone with the 32t race face narrow wide and I picked up an 11-34 8 speed cassette. It works very well. I'm not sure I need 10 gears. I'd only need to go 1x10 if I wanted a big 42t ring on the cassette. Anyway thanks again. Just thought I'd offer my 2 cents that anyone can try 1x for just the cost of the front ring if you were on a budget like myself.
Good vid- thanks Alternative to using spacers: - you can order shorter bolts - use a chain ring guard and use the longer (original) bolts. I used steel bolts - like them better (had to drill out one of the aluminum ones...) So far love the set up. If any of you guys are unsure just ride in your middle gear all day as a sort of 'test drive' and see what you think.
I ended up having to change out my cranks. The front chainring spider didn't match the 104 mm Raceface CR. I put Shimano SLX cranks on it. It bumped the cost of my 1x10 set up by $175 but is isn't mind the cost since I gain a better crank set than what was on there originally
I have both my bikes setup this way (2014 trance 27.5 (34 tooth) & 2014 XTC 29 (36 tooth), I think I will drop down to a 32 on my trance or a 40 on the rear? The XTC IS great.
I’m converting a 3x9 Rockhopper to 1x9. Since I ride this bike only on flat roads, I plan to use a 38t Raceface NW chainring along with an Ultegra derailleur and 11-21 cassette.
thank you for the video! i am looking for a drivetrain that helps me to climb. i live nearly to mountains. do you think 1 by 10 with a extended 42 tooth rear and a 30 tooth front while be a good option? sorry for my english.
Once again, a great video review Clint. I just ordered a new Trek Stache 7. I hope to get this setup on it asap. On a side note- what is the current weight of your Giant 27.5? Thanks again for the great information.
I just welcomed my 2022 Giant Trance 27.5 aluminum and despite how ugly the bike looks compared to the older ones ( it's all black ) it rides like a dream and the cassette in insanely large ( 11/51) . Big , big , big .
Can you do an overhaul on cassettes? Like, lubing the parts, putting brand new bearings on the freehub body and grease them, and prevent future dirt and grime formations.
The cassette should wear out long before the bearings. Yes you can rebuild freewheels. It is more expensive than buying a new wheel with hub though. Ball bearings are expensive.
I’m just putting a one by 11 on my specialised 2009 enduro which I bought second hand , but I’ve never done this before so I’m kinda nervous , I’ve got to go for a one by 11 as I need the extra range because of hills and I’m over weight plus I’m 62 years old . I’m putting a 32 tooth on the front , at the moment I’ve got a 9 speed scram on the back , do you think my scram medium derailer will cope?
great video! were u able to do this on your own or is this something that u would recommend a shop do? also, what size of a chain-ring would u suggest if im still riding a 26''?
+joe astleford I do all my own mechanic work but I also have built up a lot of tools over the years. If you have some Allen wrenches and the tool to remove your cassette, you can do it. Also a chain tool, but that's usually included with most multi tools that you carry on a ride.
Hi my name is Peter I have got a specialised Rockhopper sport and I have changed it to 1 by 9 I've had to use Chinese stuff to keep price down but it works perfectly my back cassette is an 11 by 40 with a front chainring of 32 which is Oval I've kept the same dralia at the back and the whole thing cost under £100 take a look on Amazon
Great vid, I have a giant stance 2 (3x9 alivio) and I was going to upgrade to either shimano zee, xt or slx (all with about 50% off on chain reaction cycles) 1x10 all with race face narrow wide chainring. The kits include cassette, derailleur, chain and gear shifter. Is there anything else I need?
Would I be able to ride on roads and climb hills? Like the simplicity of the drivetrain. 95% on a 29er I'm in the middle ring on a 9 speed. Believe its a 32t stock Suntour on my Norco Storm.
Hey Clint. need some help. I want to convert my full suspension cross country 29r from a 2x 11 (11-36 cluster) to a 1x 11 (11-46 cluster) with a 34 tooth front chain ring and will need to put on and size a new chain. How do I measure the new chain so it will work with the rear suspension and not pull off the rear derailleur? I know from a road bike or hard tail MTB it's big - big + 2 but this is different since it's a fully. Thank you!
I know this is super old... but would a 30t chainring actually fit these Race Face Atlas cranks? I have Atlas cranks on an older bike and couldn't work out if a 30t would fit????
So, is there any reason why I couldn't just remove the front Derailleur and the smaller cog? Would that be safe? I'm trying to find a reason why it wouldn't be but can't think of one.
+Big Truck Big RV on a normal chain ring without a front derailleur or chain guide the chain would bounce off. That's why you have to use a narrow wide chainring if you're not going to have anything like a front derailleur or chain guide.
+Clint Gibbs Thanks for the response. Yeah, so that stinks. My daughter is riding a 13.5" Trek (she's only 5'2") and I installed the SRAM X9 groupset from my bike (after upgrading to complete XT) on her bike. The seat tube was so short that the cable guide eyelet wouldn't give me enough room to clear and keep from rubbing against the front derailleur adjustment screws. So, I decided to remove the front derailleur and just keep the chain on the larger gear. I guess I should probably rethink that and just perhaps a low mount top pull derailleur? What are your thoughts?
+Clint Gibbs I ordered the Origin8 Chain guide on Amazon. It's got really good reviews and appears to work. So, I hope it prevents problems. I also saw an interesting video on how to use a rear reflector clamp to make a chain stay. Perhaps you could make one and show us if it actually lasts and works on the tail. Thanks for your help though!
Hi Clint, I have a 2012 Zasker 29r with a 2x10 set up. watched the video and familiar with Bike mechanic how to. My question is this my rear cassette is a 11-34 with works well for my as a light 70kg 5ft 8" rider who mainly does XC riding in the UK and domestic UK XC racing when I can will this be a OK rear gear set with say a 32 front ring? (rather than the 34 front ring with the 11-36 cassette in the video). I dropped the 11-36 before as I rarely used it and the 11-34 gives a slightly closer ratio mix and quite fit rider so even with that 36 missing can dish out the power on the climbs - but 1x10 might be a step too far?, I have two sets of wheels so 2 lots of cassette to change/etc Being a tame Dorset (south UK) trails are not what would call "all mountain" and my Zasker is my XC race bike so if ever a problem thinking of a GT sensor for more social rides or all mountain stuff......if I ever get onto that terrain.
As long as you don't have extended steep climbs then a 32 front with an 11-34 would be fine. As far as the high-end of the gear range, on a 29er you would be able to hold about 27 mph, so if that's enough then you'll have plenty of gear.
Might stick with your your 11-36 cassette/front 34 ring then as video. I already run a XT clutch rear mech & have the original SLX chainset which the Zasker came with still running good and in use. So all I would need to change is cassattes x2/34 chainring/change chain length as needed (suspect chainline is good with the SLX chainset & single ring?). Having been back in XC racing can see the 1x is a advantage..... Lacking budget for a 1x11 XT set up!
Hi Clint, great videos. I went for the exact same setup as you did, only different is the crank, i got the XT. But i got a problem (i think). The angel from the chain cassette til the drive train is pretty steep when i got the lightest gear. If i spin the drivetrain backwards, it will go from the lightest gear till 2-3 on the cassette. Is this normal, ore can you think on anything i might have done wrong? To me it seems like the chainring do not get close enough to the frame. Thanks.
Clint Gibbs No, there are not any spacers, but i can see the press fit bottom bracket sticks more out of the frame on the driver side, could this be the problem maybe? Thanks.
I'm planning on converting a 3x9 to hopefully a 1x9 setup, with the raceface narrow wide chainring. Would you recommend 32t or 34t? I belive it has a 11-34t cassette.
Hey clint. Would this work? 32t Front chain ring with 11-42 cassette on the back with a XT derailleur? Would it be good for hilly or not so hilly. I ride mostly downhill and a few uphills. Thanks :)
Hey Clint, I realize this is an older video but I'm thinking about converting my bike to a 1x10. I have a Scott hybrid bike with 48/36/26 front rings and a 11x32 rear cassette. Would this be a good idea to make the switch? I ride mostly the rail to trail bike paths. I live in South western Pennsylvania where there are a lot of hills but I rarely do hills. I mostly stay in the middle chain ring anyway. Any help would be appreciated.
+pa dude11 it's all going to come down to the gear range you want. Of course a 1x system is simpler but you do lose gear range. Hybrid bikes, since they go on pavement more, can get up to fairly high speeds on paved descents. The newer 1 X systems for gravel and road bikes have a massive spread in the back cassette. If you think you can get away with a more narrow gear range then go for it. I would just do a few rides and stay in the middle ring and make sure that's okay.
I just converted my anthem to 1x10 with my 11-36 cassette, tested it this today. 36 was really difficult for steep climbs over 15%, is the Sunrace cassette 11-42 10spd worth it ? 1x11 seems expensive even with the shimano m8000.
You can try an oval chainring (narrow wide) 34T, it will feel like a 32t while not in power and 34t while in power. I ordered the 34T narrow wide oval + 11-42 cassette from CRC.
I just got a crankset to do this convertion, problem is, the bolts are beyond tight. I got sure they weren't rivet, they have tread. Still I can't get them loose. Any sugestion?
There is a tool to use on the backside of crank bolts to keep them from spinniing. Maybe you need one of those? You can try spraying WD 40 on the bolts and letting it sit overnight
you don't need to change your crankset... just put a narrow wide chainring on a 2x.. in fact you can put 2 different narrow wide rings on the front so you can hand shift the front ring per ride type.. ive been doing this successfully for years now
+Clint Gibbs .. Blackspire make great narrow wide rings at lower BCD's btw... I have a 30T and 36T on my 2x, and of course you can simply put only one ring on a current 2x crankset.. Its amazing how much smoother the drivtrain becomes when you switch to 1x NW chainrings..
Clint I have one question for you, I already buy one Giant Anthem Alum model 3 ( 650b) you reviewed this bike but with some difference component ( SRAM Crankset and Drivetrain ). Mi bike come with Shimano Deore and SLX Component in my drivetrain setup. I tried to lookup one setup, to replace 2 x 10 drivetrain but I really don't know the fittmen of my crankset. I read the shimano bottombracket is Pressfit, but I read too is GXP. I have Deore Crankset with SLX Front Dererailleur and Back Deore Dererailleur with Deore Cassette. I need your recomendation for change my setup, I really like 1 x 10 setup, but my crankset/drivetrain setup still confused me. Thanks
JRRA1356 , check out the comment from Matt Pierce above. To switch to 1x10 you should just be able to purchase the Race Face Narrow-wide chain ring and replace your current chain rings.
I currently am running a 3x10 I'm wanting to upgrade my cassette to 11-42 and then eventually put a single chainring on front. Is this possible? And if I get an 11-42 cassette will I need a different derailluer? My current derailluer is a sram x9
You probably have a long cage derailleur on your bike now. With the 1x setup I would recommend a medium cage derailleur. But your long cage may work. I would at least try it first. If you get excessive chain slap or have any missed shifts then switch to a medium cage. But again, it may work just fine.
I would get the Crest unless you plan to race very competitively. I do like my Podiums and would get them again, but I race in a very competitive category and the podium is my goal :)
No. You would just remove the chain rings and install the narrow wide chainring where the middle chain ring would go. It will look very similar to the one I show in this video.
You mean pay money for something I could make?! No way! Besides, the neoprene ones are never long enough. I used to get frame pitting where they didn't cover, mainly near the bottom bracket.
i know i know just breakin em! Such a sweet ride its just that im a little OC when it comes to stuff like that. You're right though it does seem most of them are JUST short of where you need them to be.
Clint, do you have a video that explains the gear ranges? For instance, the top wheel of the casette has 30 teeth. The bottom one has 11 teeth. What exactly does that mean? Bc I always try to figure out if 9,10,11 or 12 gears are better on a bike.
I don’t think I have one specifically on that. Basically the largest cog which is closest to the wheel, is going to be the easiest gear. For mountain biking, that large cog is typically a 52 or 54 since mountain bikes do not use front derailleurs anymore. For road riding the largest cog is somewhere around the 32 or 36. For single front chain ring gravel bikes that largest cog is going to be around 44.
It's important to note that he has a triple ring. Doubles don't line up as well. Get a triple or single crank. I don't need any offset on my chainring when using the SRAM Truvativ GXP triple crankset. It's from the 9 speed era and is fairly cheap on eBay. If you have BB30 then buy a single ring crankset.
+Kevin Halucha it's going to depend on how long your chain stay is. Really the only way to do it is to measure it. Check out my video on how to install a new bicycle chain. You basically go from the big cog to the big ring and bypass the rear derailleur and add 2 links.
I am planning on buying a canyon yellowstone al 4.9 and convert it to 1x10 as soon as i get it. The only problem is that i cant find the bcd on canyons website. The only thing that it says is: shimano deore 10s crankset ( somthig like that). So does anyone know what the bcd of the cranks is?
What all would I need to make this happen on my 2015 Kona Lava Dome 29er?? It's currently a 3x7. I live in Alaska and just put new studded tires on and they rub a little when I'm in the lowest (smallest) gear on the front gears. I'd like to ditch the front derailer and go 1x. Anyone have any input?? Kinda on a tight budget.
I know this vids is old, but I have a plan to convert my mtb to run one by drivetrain. But I have a question, my current crankset BCD:64/96mm, does it fit on race face single chain ring i? if not, what should I do then? since I really want to go one by drivetrain. Any help would be apreciated.. Thank you
+Rendy de Puniet I think Race Face comes in either a104, 110, or 130 BCD. So it doesn't look like it's going to work. But I would Take a trip to your local bike shop and see what they can order in that specific BCD. I think that the Shimano XT is 96 so you're probably going to have to go with the Shimano XT narrow wide.
+Josh H it's going to depend if the 10 speed Shimano cassette will fit on the same freehub body as the seven speed cassette. I honestly can't remember if it does so you probably need to ask your local bike shop.
+psych0billy6 check with your local bike shop but I'm pretty confident a 10-speed cassette will fit on your hub. If they're still not sure get it and make sure that fits before you proceed with buying the chain and chainring
