Mountain Biking - 9spd only

Mountain newbie here:) But long time roadie. I need your guys thoughts on a 9spd Mountain bike. 9spd as in a single front and a 9spd rear. Are there any inherent issues besides losing some climbing ability that I should be aware of? The bike in Question is a Tomac Omen with a Truvativ Hussefelt Crankset and 9spd XT rear.
Thanks guys

1x9 setups have a tendency to throw the chain. Most people run a bashguard to keep the chain from jumping off the outside and an N-gear stop (here's a link: http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=114240&cat=310&brand=1061) for the inside. Other than that, 1x9 is plenty of gears. You'll just have to stand up to climb rather than sit and spin.

1 ring with an e-13 bashguard and an e-13 srs. Primo :)

1 ring with an e-13 bashguard and an e-13 srs. Primo :)
Perfection.

I wil 3rd that response. It works, you need a chainguide or something to hold the chain and the e-13 is awesome.

I have an e-thirteen 38t on my 1x9 and it's not bad at all while climbing... of course, i've been commuting on it which means i've been road riding with it. I've taken it on the trails a couple of times and the chain came off 2 or 3 times in 15 miles or so. chain pops off every once in a while when commuting as well, but i don't have a chain guard. chain guard is on my list of "gotta get one" items.

anyways... I'm glad i converted it.

agreed, excpet i have gone the MRP 3 route.

big ring seams unecessary, and granny only necessary for tons of nasty climbing, or climbing with a really heavy bike. in most cases, for the recreational user i think a 1x9 and a good chainguide is a solid choice.

the price on the buildup is probobly close, your just spending the money on a guide instead of a front der and shifter. the weight savings are probobly slight, but the simplicity and reliability factors are huge.

Mountain newbie here:) But long time roadie. I need your guys thoughts on a 9spd Mountain bike. 9spd as in a single front and a 9spd rear. Are there any inherent issues besides losing some climbing ability that I should be aware of? The bike in Question is a Tomac Omen with a Truvativ Hussefelt Crankset and 9spd XT rear.
Thanks guys
you can do a 1 X 8/9 and leave granny gear up front for a manual "finger shift". this is how i am setting up my next bike. actually, a 1 X 5 with manual granny. so...a 10-speed!

you can do a 1 X 8/9 and leave granny gear up front for a manual "finger shift". this is how i am setting up my next bike. actually, a 1 X 5 with manual granny. so...a 10-speed!
Your going to want at least a inner plate for that.
http://www.envygear.com/products/doublee2.html

Your going to want at least a inner plate for that.
http://www.envygear.com/products/doublee2.html
it's already being shipped :D

Your going to want at least a inner plate for that.


I did a 1x9 and left the granny on it. It worked just fine. I actually shifted it with my hands or feet while moving.

Still...I'd either get a chainguide or a bash ring with an inner ring. I lost my chain on my 1x9 soooo many times it was rediculous. It would sometimes come off on the inside and eat the frame up.

What is your specific reason for wanting to go 1x9?

Probably the easiest way to accomplish this is as stated about. Use a chain guide. I would however, say, try 2x9, leaving the granny gear up front and running a bash guard to replace the large chain ring. You can still use a 3 gear front shifter. All you have to do is set the limit screw such that you cannot shift into the large chainring (which won't be there). I've been running a 2x8 setup like this for 2 years now and have had zero problems. (xt shifters on lx front mech and xt rear mech) The bashguard is great for sliding over large obstacles in the trail that you can't bunnyhop for whatever reason.

Most people usually end up running a 1x setup because they want to rid themselves of the front derailleur and unused granny and big ring. It's clean and simple. Just eliminating the big ring is more of a Freeride / AllMountain thing.