PeteHski

Yeah, not something to worry about. I’m a pretty strong rider (25 mph on flat) and the biggest gear I have on my road bike is 50:11, which gets little use and none at all on the flat. It would be 29 mph at a moderate 80 rpm cadence.

PeteHski

Yes, your cadence would be down in the 60s in a 53:11 gear. That’s firmly in “grinding” territory and highly unlikely to be an issue for the OP or pretty much anyone else. Most people have a preferred cadence somewhere in the 70-90 range.

PeteHski

Here is a simple gear vs speed calculator. Just pop in your gears and wheel size.

https://www.bikecalc.com/speed_at_cadence

A 40:11 at 18 mph is only around 62 rpm cadence.

livedarklions

I'm posting my op that the other fellow chose to argue with.
Obviously, you and I agree, I know my riding habits are extremely unusual so I refrain from recommending on 1x vs. 2x. I don't understand, however, how 1x vs. 2x is a real debate. Obviously, people are going to have some variation in their gear preferences, and people would probably spare everyone some silly argumentation by just sticking to description of the advantages and disadvantages of the systems rather than trying to convince people of what they should or shouldn't want.

PeteHski

That’s why I would suggest that the OP simply uses the speed vs cadence calculator to work out what gear range they require.

I think it’s fair to say that you represent the extreme in requiring a 53:11 for flat riding. The OP mentioned 16-18 mph on the flat, so they are unlikely to have any issues with a 1x or 2x drivetrain. Personally I think a 1x drivetrain is very attractive if you don’t need a very big gear. I much prefer a 1x setup on my mountain bike. But for road use I don’t mind a double chainset as shifting chainring is less demanding on road. For the sort of mild off-road riding the OP is describing I don’t think there is much in it. A GRX group set is probably going to be ideal.

livedarklions

Yeah, my thing is I generally try not to recommend anything I haven't tried, so I always think it's a fair warning to people to tell them I'm extremely atypical and that I rule out things they probably want to consider. I think that consulting the calculator is really solid advice especially because it lets you plug in your riding habits no matter how out of the ordinary.

Since I really have no experience with it, do you notice any qualitative difference in shifting the rear derailleur between 1x and 2x on the road?

PeteHski

For me the rear shifting is fine on both. I really have no preference in that regard.

What I never enjoyed was shifting chainrings while riding demanding mtb trails. Always a risk of dropping the chain or getting caught out in the wrong ring. But never had a problem shifting chainrings on the road or easy trails.

Maelochs

This is how it sounds to me as well. The tires might be a bit much for road use, but you can change tires without having to have a spare set of wheels ..... or you might find that 47-mm slicks at high pressure are fine for you. There is a lot of volume to absorb shocks, and you can let some air out for off-roading.

1x or 2x or gearing in general isn't likely to be an issue, and you have plenty of tools here to determine if a specific gearing combination would work for you .... Availability will likely play the biggest role in determining your choices.

Metieval

Availability will definitely play a part. At the same time it seems both gravel bikes and hybrids are popping up on used market as being ridden once or twice. Just harder to find and waiting for them to pop up is hard. Probably best for people that already know what they want.

As far as what the op needs, I am just guessing. Based on purpose, age, lifestyle, and first choice of a bicycle (road).

I know I've ridden many bicycles, covering many purposes. I mostly been a road bike guy, but that is changing. Oh I still like smooth, clean, easy... I just dont need a road bike for it. (Insert grain of salt because my Niner RLT9 rdo might as well be a road bike, just rides on fatties) 700x40 seems skinny now.

Last year I did a huge n-1, took off in my van with 3 bikes. Niner RLT9, 29er scalpel, and my 29er giant talon hardtail.

My difference from op, I didn't do campgrounds. I was boondocking. So I found myself mostly exploring with the Talon. All good except my wheels on that bike hates tubeless and goat heads suck. I also found myself limited with XC. I sold Talon bought Trance 29er (spontaneous as they had one in stock as I was buying tubes for my Talon).
The plan was to also sell the scalpel , and buy a carbon hardrail 29er. Couldn't really justify that, Not after doing 10 miles in desert on some utv double track. Went to lock it out on pavement and realized it already was locked out.

All of that to say I've spent more time on my 29ers than I did gravel bike. Part of that just happened to be my location.

And all of that to say that I'd much rather be on a $2,000-3000 hardtail 29er, than a hybrid. Partially because well I think hybrids lack performance and are generally on the heavy side. (there doesn't really seem to be a performance hybrid market) Heavy being one of the reasons the OP is not into taking mnt bikes with them.

Also out of everything thing I've ever ridden. Road geometry is efficient.

So take the road geometry, relax it. Mate it with bigger tires, it becomes an efficient effective do it all bicycle. a gravel bike.
I've even had cheap (much hated) gravel bike. I still liked it better than a hybrid/fitness.

I just have the opinion that geometry is #1.
Compliance, comfort, and efficiency #2
A relaxed gravel bike offers both of those with a bit wider bar, and its not awkward with cheap cotton cargo shorts. Depending on saddle fit!

Its also in my opinion, less awkward wearing lycra on a gravel bike than lycra on a fitness bike.

I suppose 650x47 vs 700x 40. Will also be like the 1x vs 2x choice.
Given some of the clues in original post. I really don't see either of these 2 choices being as big as the gravel, hybrid, fitness, etc.... choice.

Oh and I still might give up the scalpel, for say something like a haro Beasley. Something that I don't care if it rides full time on a rear bike carrier. Also something that I don't mind leaving locked outside while shopping, eating/drinking. But as my 1 and only bike for full time road living? No way!
Oh and each to their own. I've found peace in boondocking and solitude. No need for a town bike.