Power of one

The case for 1x groupsets on gravel bikes

Technology has given us 24 gears on road bikes, so why would we want to limit ourselves to half as many on a gravel bike? That said, switching to a single chainring has its benefits. Cyclist Off-Road looks at why the 1x setup is right for certain situations… Bigger range It’s easy to assume that fewer gears means a smaller range, but 1x systems can actually offer a bigger range than a double chainset. ‘If you combine a 9-32 cassette with a 36t chainring, it gives you the same range as a 48/34t chainset with a 12-30 cassette,’ explains Gerard Vroomen, co-owner of 3T and Open Cycle. ‘With a 40t ring it’s equivalent to 50/36t with 11-29, and with a 44t ring it’s equivalent to 54/39 by 11-28,’ he adds.…

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Cyclist Off Road (Digital) - 1 Issue, Autumn 2019

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