Cyclocross - 1x9 question

I'm thinking about building a purpose-built cyclocross bike for next year. I'm not very competitive but enjoyed this, my first, season tremendously. I don't ever use the big ring in races so I'm thinking aobut making this bike a 1x9, it seems simpler and more elegant. I talked to two differnt mechanics in LBS's today and got two differnet perspectives. One said that he thought chain keepers/guards just didn't do a good enough job and that 1x9's throw chain more often. The other mechanic said that with the right chain keeper it is not a problem. I've got a front deraillur on now and didn't throw a chain all season, so that's one data point. Opinions from people who have, or had 1x9's for cyclocross?

I've never had a problem running 1x9, either mountain or cross, as long as I had guards on both sides. I use the N gear jumpstop on the inside, and a chainring or substitute guard on the outside.

Chainring guard (http://cyclocrossworld.stores.yahoo.net/spookalchain.html)+ N-Gear (http://cyclocrossworld.stores.yahoo.net/justchde.html)

Campy Veloce 9-speed
39 x 12/26

Works great for me. Not a chain dropped yet.

Paul's Chain Keeper (http://www.paulcomp.com/chainkeeper.html) looks good, too.

yeah, i was wondering about this myself...don't use the big ring either.

chain jumped on me one on my race (yeah, i took the derailleur off...!), even after i put a shimano 'shark fin' on to diminish the chance. still, not the best idea.

i still plan on making the switch, too...maybe even SS

curious to see how the discussion goes

Don't race, but am a big proponent of the 1x9- it is a pragmatic and enduring set up.
Have ridden thousand of KM over all sorts of surfaces- gravel, mud, pavement, snow, trails,
cobble streets, cowpaths, etc, cannot recall the last time I dropped a chain.
Set up in pic is a chain watcher and salsa ring dinger-

I have one of these (http://cyclocrossworld.stores.yahoo.net/comtasinkit.html) on my commuter which serves as the front part of a 1x8 gearing setup. I don't bounce the bike around as much as you cyclocross guys do, but as a commuter I'll bet that I put more miles on than most cyclists. Never had an issue with the gearing on the bike.

I have run 2 chainrings for cross for the past two full seasons and have never dropped a chain, I think if it is set up well and your tire pressure is low enough/you ride smooth enough then you will never drop a chain with a double. IMO YMMV

I have run 2 chainrings for cross for the past two full seasons and have never dropped a chain, I think if it is set up well and your tire pressure is low enough/you ride smooth enough then you will never drop a chain with a double. IMO YMMVYou just jynxed yourself.

I had my cross set up 1x9. i was a cheap ass, so i used a 40t gear for the guard, gear was 39, and a cut up der to keep it falling on the inside. only fell off when i was in the pits. I did lots of mtb with it and never got chain drop when i was actually riding.

the paul's looks pretty slick and i would get it if i had an extra 52 bucks lying around. In the meantime, i'm using an old front derailleur.

im kinda in the same boat, dont ever use my big ring during a race so i was thinking of making a 1x10 and was looking at the paul chain keeper, anyone on here experince actually using it??

I wonder why I've been so lucky using just 1 salsa crossing guard on my 1x8? Never used a jump stop or anything else on the inside. Have anything to do with 8 vs 9 in back?
Btw, I love the 1x# setup and don't think I'll ever go back.

Hey, thanks all, for the replies. Anybody here actually using the Paul's??? That looks the way to go unless I hear differently.

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but I was thinking of going 1x9 on my JTS, but I also want to be able to do some road riding as well - not any serious racing or anything - would 1x9 seriously disable me? What would a good chainring up front be? Or should I just stick w/ the 2x9 and downsize my big 53 to a 46 or something?

ppp, if you switch tires to road tires you need a double or a different gear than your cross set up or you will spin out easily.

I currently building a bike with a 42T ring, salsa chain guard on the outside, and a third eye on the inside (similar to what martianone did earlier on this thread)
Will have Campy Veloce 10sp shifters, with a 9sp cassette and Shimano 105 rear derailleur (just parts I had around the garage)
According to this, it will work
http://cxmagazine.com/shimano-campagnolo-ergopower-compatibility

ppp, if you switch tires to road tires you need a double or a different gear than your cross set up or you will spin out easily.
I'll call BS on that. If he runs a 42T with an 11-34 moutain cassette, he will have plenty of gearing to ride the road. Spinning the 42/11 combo @ 120rpm will yield higher than 30mph. And the 42/34 combo is a lower gear than most road setups. He won't have the resolution to maintain a steady cadence, but a 1x9 will not limit his road riding opportunities and certainly tire choice has nothing to do with gearing in this situation.

1x9 (non racing) setup with Sugino 36T, two BBG Superlights and 12-26T cassette. For now this works for commuting and general riding. Never dropped the chain, though I think it could be shorter.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2803/4234964362_d485a44866.jpg

mijome07 - I like that setup! Not only would it prevent the chain from dropping but keeps your pant leg away from the chain when commuting. I may consider this on my own. What length chainring bolts do you use with that setup?

I run a 1x7 setup on a commuter bike and I will drop the chain if I shift through too many gears too quickly.

mijome07 - I like that setup! Not only would it prevent the chain from dropping but keeps your pant leg away from the chain when commuting. I may consider this on my own. What length chainring bolts do you use with that setup?

I run a 1x7 setup on a commuter bike and I will drop the chain if I shift through too many gears too quickly.

Thanks. I got these (http://harriscyclery.net/product/sugino-maxy-triple-bolt-set-old-style-w-3.5mm-spacers-sku-cr1202-qc49.htm).

http://harriscyclery.net/images/library/catalogs/soc/p350X350m/CR1202.jpg

I dropped my chain 5 times in my first cross race recently running a campy 1X9 with a jump stop. I was beyond irritated. Granted it was a really tough course, but that was unacceptable. I am considering adding another front ring. Still trying to make the decision. I guess things work differently for different people.

i wonder if its possible to make something similar to the pauls from stuff at home depot?

i wonder if its possible to make something similar to the pauls from stuff at home depot?Or N-Gear Jump Stop + a pair of pliers, similar to this but bent all the way over:
http://cdn.media.cyclingnews.com/2009/12/15/1/wells_n_gear_2_600.jpg

on mtbr i saw that someone had removed the cage from a pauls keeper and replaced it with washers or something. got me thinking...