The 1 Times (Single Chainset)

[Chislenko]

I like the 1x11 more than I thought I would. The gaps between the gears are bigger than are on my other bikes but I like not having to think about which chainring to select.

I don't worry about not having a higher top gear, but I would like one extra lower gear. The bottom gear is 42/42, which is pretty low, but I come across some hills at 20+% in Devon and a 42/46 would be easier! I might investigate the possibility of fitting an 11-46 cassette if/when I wear out the 11-42 cassette. (There is a possibility that the current cassette will outlast me though, given that I will be 68 soon and only ride the bike down there for 4 or 5 weeks of the year!)

I suppose one aspect of it may be psychological. In my head I always feel like I am working a lot harder spinning in the smaller front rings as opposed to less revolutions in a bigger front ring. That may be just me though🙂

 

[Mike Ayling]

My biggest learning from this post is that there are e-bikes that aren’t 1x!

If you go mid motor you are usually restricted to 1X. With hub motors you can use multiple chain rings

 

[Chislenko]

If you go mid motor you are usually restricted to 1X. With hub motors you can use multiple chain rings

Yes, it is a bit of a conundrum. The pros and cons as I see it.

Mid motor, more even weight distribution, easier to swop wheels should you need to , no front mech.

Rear wheel motor, the choice to have multiple and bigger chain rings but you are basically (without a load of faffing) tied to that rear wheel.

 

[gzoom]

My biggest learning from this post is that there are e-bikes that aren’t 1x!

Both my ebike are x1, cannot see the point of double or triple chain rings any more.

 

[TheDoctor]

To be honest, I've been riding X1 since well before X1 was a thing.
My first decent (531) bike had a 40T chainset to a 13-34T 6 speed block IIRC, (83" - 32") and I've been going lower ever since. That was in 1986.
Currently on 36T and 11-36T 9 speed (88" - 27"). Not that I ever use the 11T sprocket, so it's actually 75" - 27"
Front mechs are such a PITA to set up properly...

 

[Chislenko]

To be honest, I've been riding X1 since well before X1 was a thing.
My first decent (531) bike had a 40T chainset to a 13-34T 6 speed block IIRC, (83" - 32") and I've been going lower ever since. That was in 1986.
Currently on 36T and 11-36T 9 speed (88" - 27"). Not that I ever use the 11T sprocket, so it's actually 75" - 27"
Front mechs are such a PITA to set up properly...

I suppose a lot depends on personal circumstances. The gearing you are running would be massively under geared for a lot of riders, myself included at the point in life I am now at.

But I do realise a few more years down the line I am going to find it harder and harder to churn the 52 I currently run as my biggest ring. Luckily the set up on that bike is cheap and cheerful Sora so swapping it out for a less aggressive crank set in the future wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

 

[TheDoctor]

I suppose a lot depends on personal circumstances. The gearing you are running would be massively under geared for a lot of riders, myself included at the point in life I am now at.

But I do realise a few more years down the line I am going to find it harder and harder to churn the 52 I currently run as my biggest ring. Luckily the set up on that bike is cheap and cheerful Sora so swapping it out for a less aggressive crank set in the future wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

I'm quite a spinny rider - I can get a 75"gear up to about 30mph if I've got a big hill or a tailwind to help. And if I didn't mind my hips unscrewing themselves...