Changing from 2x10 to 1x

[tharrha]

Hi,

I am planning on changing the gears on my cx. Currently it runs on tiagra 4700 disc groupset. I want to change it to a 1x system so I wouldn't need the front derailleur (which I'm not to satisfied with anyway and barely use it). I know on the front I would need a narrow/wide chainring, but the risk of the chain jumping off would still be there.
I was wondering if I could change the rear derailleur to a clutch mech like a GRX but leaving the tiagra levers. Are they interchangeable? Or any other suggestions?
Eventually I would swap most of the components but I was just thinking on a quick solution.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Sharky]

Upgraded a couple of my bikes to 1x10 drives. The RD worked fine so don't think you will need to change it unless you are going to get an ultra wide cassette.

I went from 50/34 to a single 40 at the front and removed a couple of links from the chain. Kept the ring on the inside position and it changes thru all the gears fine. Chain has never come off with a N/W ring.

 

[Ajax Bay]

"11 speed GRX 810 and 600 are compatible with 9000, 8000, 7000, 6800, 5800 etc. 11 speed road groups - so it obviously uses the 11 speed cable pull ratio.
"10 speed GRX 400 is compatible with the Tiagra 4700 10 speed road group only; it uses the ‘11 speed’ cable pull ratio as well.
"Shimano is nice enough to publish very comprehensive (if complicated) compatibility info: https://productinfo.shimano.com/#/com?cid=C-453&acid=C-454
Tiagra 4700 is 'special' (among 10sp) so you're in luck.

 

[figbat]

I use a home-brew Tiagra 4600/XT 1x10 setup, narrow-wide ring, no mech clutch. I also have a cheap chain guide and have never dropped the chain.

 

[weareHKR]

yeah, it'll be fine especially if you go Narrow/Wide upfront, like @figbat I bought a cheap chain guide but decided to try it without, never had any issues with it dropping.
A bit different on a mountain bike when the chain is slapping about aggressively, then I would use a clutch mech...

 

[tharrha]

That's awesome, thanks for the replies. In that case I think I'll try with a narrow/wide first and slowly changing things around but that seems the quickest build. And then eventually the rest.

 

[daveyjones]

Hello. How do you fit the new chainring to the existing 2 by crank? Do you have to get a whole new crank? Do you have to get one that is a special "width" to take into account only having one chainring?

 

[Sharky]

You'll need shorter ring bolts, or extra spacers.

The single ring can be fitted as either the inner or the outer ring. Check alignment to the cassette and decide which of the inner/outer positions give the best alignment.

Probably fit as an inner ring, then you know it will be ok with larger sprockets.

You'll need to take out a couple of links as well.