11 speed here to stay?

avidtest · **Posted:** Sun Sep 06, 2015 6:52 am

Anyone got a functional crystal ball? As I consider building up a new bike, I find myself conflicted between opting for a new 11 speed drive-train versus sticking with a cobbled mishmash 10 speed system.

It's important for me (these days), to have at least an 11-40 spread (or maybe even 42 - hear that Harley?). I keep thinking Shimano or SRAM will be forced to respond to obvious consumer demand and introduce a 10 speed with something wider than the old 11-36.

Any mind-readers, pundits or insiders care to speculate whether the big two will give us what we want? Is 11-speed here to stay or is it just a passing trend that over-complicates the issue at a higher cost, that will go away soon? :?:

OldDogDan · **Posted:** Sun Sep 06, 2015 12:03 pm

Here to stay. Doesn't mean you have to use it.

avidtest · **Posted:** Sun Sep 06, 2015 2:09 pm

I suppose none of it's 'here to stay' based on the relentless push to change standards and schlep more product upon us.

I've decided to just bite the bullet and go 11-spd Shimano (love the rapid shift feature! so can't/won't go SRAM). I just ordered my 4th? der in the last 6 months and I'm out of commission till it arrives next week. :evil:

One problem seems to be due to added stress on the der which causes it to lose tension somewhere (my chain went slack and droopy in the small cog out of the blue yesterday. Admittedly, one or two of the failures were my own fault - like smacking the der on a rock. However, it just doesn't seem robust enough to give me confidence to risk it again on a new bike.

Ray Dolor · **Posted:** Sun Sep 06, 2015 11:22 pm

Give it a year or two. 12 speed will be the next big thing, and it will solve all of our problems.

tfitz · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2015 5:43 am

I am going 3 by 1 get rid of the der altogether.

325racer · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2015 7:14 am

11 speed is only here until they push out some 12 speed stuff, and mechanical is only around until they can make electronic affordable.

Couldn't really tell what the issue on yours was. You could also find an older style derailluer similar to Don that shift opposite, where the normally relaxed setting is the big ring. If you loose tension on the cable it shifts to the easy ring instead of the hard ring. Not sure how that helps at all...oh and I think it's a 9 speed.

PS. I really like my 11 speed XX1 with gripshift on Woodie.

OhNooo · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2015 8:37 am

<<<<< bike luddite

Anyone else still happy with good old 2x9 or 3x9 other than me?

racerbill · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2015 3:00 pm

I used the One Up kit and have an 11X40 cassette with a 20X32 crank. This works well on my 29er, oh yea I'm a weak 66 YO.

tfitz · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2015 3:37 pm

I believe that three front rings are the best set up for me. When I purchased a bicycle that had the two rings up front it was a little inconvenience. So on my next bike I went back to three and I feel much more comfortable. I find it funny that most cyclists by into anything new. Sorry about my crazy rant on this thread but I have just had it!
Sure it's here to stay.

avidtest · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2015 5:32 pm

I've had 3, 2 and 1 ring up front and find I have a strong preference for only one. I'd be happy with a 10spd 11x40 w/ 32 up front - which is exactly what I have now (w/ Oneup RAD cage), if it would just work for an extended period. My issue is that it doesn't last long for me.

As has been lamented all over the webernet, it's a cryin' shame Shimano (and SRAM), won't give us a wide range 10 speed system.

BTW, the Insurgent doesn't even have a front derailleur mount. That's ok with me!

OldDogDan · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2015 5:57 pm

OhNooo wrote:

<<<<< bike luddite

Anyone else still happy with good old 2x9 or 3x9 other than me?

Yep. 2x9 fer me still. Probably won't change it unless a dérailleur has fatal breakage at about the same time chain rings and cassette are worn out, or until I want a whole new bike.

Ned.

chuckanado · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2015 7:12 pm

I'm just waiting for the NuVinci CVT to be light/reliable/cheap/robust enough for MTBs. To infinity and beyond!!!

Dirtrider · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2015 8:07 pm

I'm running 2X10 now and really like the gear combos
11/36 and 22/38 up front. Not much over lap, gives me the very low gearing I feel I need, and the top end is fast enough too. I'll spin it out at times but it's OK and I don't miss the big ring up front.
Not sure if I could handle a 1X11 setup for my old fat ass

Ray Dolor · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2015 11:17 pm

I'm pretty happy with the 2X10 SRAM X9 drivetrain on my 29er. I'm also pretty happy with the 1X10 Sram drivetrain I've set up on my 2005 Joker.

I can climb almost anything on the Joker that I can on the 29er, and the only place I really feel the absence of the big ring on the Joker is when I spin out, as in sprinting to make all the green lights on 'B' street, from City College to the Civic Center.

Both the cassettes' are 11/36 T, and the 2X has a 38/24 T setup.
The Joker has a single 32 T chainring. I love the simplicity of that bike

Kimba · **Posted:** Tue Sep 08, 2015 3:42 pm

I have an 11/36 and a 28 T ring, no problems so far and don't miss any gears. In fact since the change I have rarely thought about my drivetrain. It just works.

Now that I have written this I am sure the bike gods will make me pay.....

11 speed here to stay?

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