Pros and Cons of a 1x
 

Hello everyone,
I'm new to the mountain bike world and have fallen in love with trail/downhill riding really quickly. Apologies if a thread like this has already been created but unfortunately i'm not very good at navigating forums. Anyway with that being said, I recently purchased a 2017 Diamondback Atroz comp with a 1x11 drivetrain. I've taken it out on about 3 rides with some fairly steep climbs (in my opinion lol) and am experiencing derailing problems. When on a steep climb in my lowest gear my chain keeps slipping off and returning to the gear. Its extremely annoying and i've tried to adjust my de railer as well as had a certified bike mechanic at a shop try adjusting it as well and am still experiencing this. I just wanted to know if anyone else with a 1x is experiencing the same problem and whether or not any of you has found a solution to this? The idea of converting my bike to a 2x has crossed my mind but the little research i've done in regards to this idea has revealed that may be an expensive solution.

I just had my bike converted to 1X, so I can't say if I will experience this or not, however, when researching before converting, I did read a few times that the chainline is important. The bike comes set up for 1X so you would think that it would be properly set up at the factory, but maybe it needs tweeking. The adjustment might be at the chainring end.

Looking at the bike, I'm wondering if it's even possible to convert it to 2X.

My opinion is that there is no downside to having a 1x. Many times, my drive rings have thrown a chain and switching to a 1x set up, I have never thrown a chain yet. Then there is the simplicity of only thinking about being in the right gear on the cassette, which shifts fast compared to the front derailleur. Weight weenies could claim a weight loss, but I doubt it is worth consideration.
Basically, one less thing to go wrong and think about while on a ride. I love my 1x11

If your chain is skipping then the derailleur is out of adjustment, or something else is wrong. (bent derailleur hanger?) Being a new bike I would take it to a competent mechanic and have them fix it. Because no, it should not skip like that.

With regards to pros and cons of 1x11 systems, the biggest con is lack of range. No matter how you slice it, you give up range compared to a 2x or 3x system. However, for most mtb applications it is a reasonable compromise. The other major con is the cost. 11spd cassettes are still more expensive than 10spd -but both Shimano and SRAM now offering some reasonably priced options.

The pros for the 1x system are simplicity, getting rid of the front derailleur makes things less complex. And front shifting is usually clunky. The 1x also gives you easy access to all the gears you have. In theory, a 2x system should give you easier access to lower gears. But in the real world, most people will stay on a taller gear to avoid front shifting. And a 1x system is lighter than a double or triple.

Finally, 1x systems make designing full suspension bikes easier. Two reasons, first you don't have to accommodate a front derailleur at all. Second, you can design suspension performance based on a single chainring size.

Your issue has nothing to do with it being a 1x setup.

Only downside of 1x is if it does not have the range of gearing you need. And even then, you can often tweak it to your liking by changing the size of the chainring.

Is the rear axle QR or thru? Make sure it's tightened appropriately either way. I had some ghost shifting and that was the issue.
As others have said, check your derailleur hanger alignment and also make sure your b screw is set properly.

I believe my rear axle is thru or so I've been told. Apologies but like I said before I am new to the mountain biking world and am not really sure what a QR axle is nor a B screw?

Derailer Adjustment

even if you don't feel up to trying to adjust this yourself, it will give you an idea of what is what and how it works.

Pro: No front shifter. Simpler shifting. Lighter.
Cons: Less range. Only for really strong riders or for people who don't want to go very fast. A 1x's easiest gear is ~the 2-3th easiest gear on a double or triple.)