MTB's without front derailleur, When/Why?

[Andy K]

It has been a long time since I last bought an MTB (into the double figures) and whist looking around I have noticed that many things have changed!
The main thing that seems to be common place is no front derailleur or at least it looks like that to me.
As per the thread when and why?

 

[Threevok]

the 1x has been around for a few years now. It's less weight and more simplified that a 2x or 3x setup (where many of the gear ratios are duplicated anyway). Ironically, it's more expensive too in most cases.

It's not for every rider or scenario though.

 

[cougie uk]

How many sprockets did your last bike have ? You can get 12 on a bike now. You can get a very decent range of gears with just the one chainring and no duplicates like you'd get on a triple.

 

[Jody]

Also, extra clearance to stop chain ring strikes and not forgetting the all important aesthetics of the bike.

 

[Threevok]

Of course, if you're that worried about simplification and aesthetics, you could always go Single-Speed

 

[alex_cycles]

Not forgetting that having no front mech frees up a space on the handlebars for the controls for your dropper post

 

[Threevok]

Not forgetting that having no front mech frees up a space on the handlebars for the controls for your dropper post

On a side note, do you (or anyone else) ever hit the dropper post control by mistake, looking for a shifter that's no longer there?

 

[alex_cycles]

On a side note, do you (or anyone else) ever hit the dropper post control by mistake, looking for a shifter that's no longer there?

I don't have one, so I don't yet know the answer to that.

 

[Threevok]

I don't have one, so I don't yet know the answer to that.

Me neither, but it's something I do on the singlespeed sometimes. Also try to clip out of flat pedals too - not good on the ankles

 

[T4tomo]

My most recently acquired MTB... not a 1x or dropper post to be seen....

View attachment 639765

 

[SydZ]

On a side note, do you (or anyone else) ever hit the dropper post control by mistake, looking for a shifter that's no longer there?

Nope, not done that.......yet.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I converted my Cannondale to 1x7 recently. Mainly because I use it on the road and the 22t inner ring was mostly unused, plus the Microshift front mech and shifter was an absolute bastard to keep in tune.

A 36 chainring with a 12/32 cassette suits what is now a very leisurely riding pace quite adequately and without the shifter I can get the bell close enough to my thumb to operate it.

 

[Hacienda71]

My Stumpjumper is a triple and my Bossnut is a 1x. Both work fine but the triple is more of a faff. The 1x is simpler but I spin out at about 20 mph on it. As I only use it for very leisurley rides or on gnarly stuff that is not a major issue.

 

[GuyBoden]

Triples will be back in fashion soon, you just need to wait a few years.................

 

[Andy K]

How many sprockets did your last bike have ? You can get 12 on a bike now. You can get a very decent range of gears with just the one chainring and no duplicates like you'd get on a triple.

7 with 3 chainrings. It did the trick tbh, though had an issue a month back in which the rim blew due to over inflation (Gauge was giving incorrect reading). Struggling to find a replacement and in all fairness it's time to buy a new bike haha