Originally Posted by
Ron Damon
This is new. On the Folding Bikes channel you've always pooh-poohed the simpler, lighter, less expensive 1X drivetrain by saying that it doesn't give you sufficient gearing range to pedal downhill. But now, you are apparently singing a different tune. To be clear, a 1x setup with a 11-46T cogset -- one that I've shown to work well in real practice both around town and on several extended overseas tours -- returns 418% gearing range, more than your stated target. So, which one is it? Time to come clean and stop flip-flopping. Does a 1x drivetrain with a 11-46T cogset provide sufficient or insufficient gearing range for you?
Oh I've long since acknowledged to others here (with attribution to you) that your setup is simpler and cheaper to implement, especially with the interference issues requiring finessing with a large seat tube, thick FD adapter, and thick FD cage rollover lip. My memory may be off, I had recalled you successfully doing up to 11-42 cassette, hence my saying "almost" 400%, I had forgotten that in the past year (or more) you've gone beyond 42.
I still like my 2X setup, but I've also said in recent months that if I need to mod my other 406 folders, it makes sense to go wide 1X. It wouldn't be if the FD setup wasn't so much of a hassle, because the cranks they come with are heavy junk swaged steel chainring onto aluminum arm, and the hollow crank with external bearings upgrade is SO nice, and same cost for 1X or 2X. However, note, these are old Dahon 7 speeds on 130mm OLD rear, so if the wide 1X needs an 8 speed freehub body, that's an additional expense. Most other folks on here with newer folders with 8 speed, won't have that worry:
2X (keeping 11-30 or 11-32 stock cassette):
- crank and external BB bearings
- FD adapter
- FD (modified by grinding off some inboard cage lip where interferes at FD adapter)
- front shifter
- GS (mid) length RD, claw mount if old Dahon frame, (cheap Tourney or Altus works fine)
- (longer) chain
- cables and housing
(wider) 1X: (NOTE: These old Dahons are all 7 speed and don't have 8 speed freehub bodies, and are 130mm OLD rear): So:
-
possible need for new freehub body
- wide 1X cassette
- (new) rear shifter
- (new) rear derailleur, Deore or other better quality
- (longer) chain
- I could technically stay with the junky OEM Dahon crank, but it's junky and heavy, so then add a hollow crank with bearings.
So, not the savings for 1X, upgrading an older folder with short freehub body and steel crank. But for newer folders, 1X seems the way to go.
Oh and pedaling downhill, I've always thought that 85 gear inches is enough for me. The only reason I'd like higher is to (lightly) pedal down really long descents, as it saves wear on the ratchet and tiny bearings in the freehub body, but I always try to drip in some lube whenever the cassette is off for cleaning. That's a minor concern.
EDIT: Back during my race bike days, if I got the bug for small wheelers like now, I'd need higher gears. Back then, it would need to be a monster chainring, to avoid an IGH. On a Moulton AM space frame.