Redirect: How do you like your 1x setup? Between wrecking the CAAD and building the S3 last month, I ended up disassembling the Kona and am plotting my rebuild strategy. I have a set of Praxis 46/36 rings, but a 42-tooth narrow-wide ring and K-edge catcher are actually cheaper to obtain and set up than used Praxis rings and an Athena front derailleur. I'm considering going that route and compensating with an 11-32 (was using a 12-27). Since you've had both, what do you think?

36/27 = 1.333
42/32 = 1.312

46/12 = 3.83
42/11 = 3.81

 

Riding alone, the 38 x 11/32 covers everything. I love it. The BWR ride has a lot of flat fast road sections where the 85 gear inches won't work, thus the extra ring. I have an old XTR M980 10s 4 arm crankset I can put 50/34 on. That puts my top somewhere closer to 100 gear inches. I think I'll have to add a link. So my "grinder" solution for is both; ultra range cogs and a 2x.

So the question is more on how the bike is being used. Racing cross and adventure rides, the 1x is perfect. For that, the low gears are what matters 30 minutes into a 45 minute climb up a mountain. Doing any gravel grinders or fondos with dirt, you'll want something like a compact road setup in front for those long sections getting sucked along in the draft at 28mph. The really fit guys run compact with 27's for grinders. The pro level guys run full size and 27's. The rest of us run compact with a 32.

The 11-32 fixes a lot of things.

 

I want CX-1 pretty bad on my next CX bike.

 

SRAM!

I knew you'd come around.

 

Not a SRAM fan my self but I have to admit, the CX-1 group is very well though out.

Just ordered a new Rival GXP 180mm 50/34 crank for the cross bike. $162 shipped on Amazon. Such a deal!

 

Still "lol @ SRAM". However, they win at CX for the time being.

 

Todays ride on the cross bike. Running WTB Nano 40C's tubeless. About 35/40psi. Butta. 38x32 seriously tested my meager fitness on the few rocky 10% sections. The SRAM 50/34 should help. That and um, riding more.

Rode to the top of Santiago peak (5600'). First time I have been up there by pedal power in a while. Lately it's been on the KTM. That's Newport Beach off in the distance.



Down the other side is a fun 5 or so mile singletrack, Holy Jim Trail, that drops back into civilization.

 

Jealous, we have 2 feet of snow just at normal elevation. Did you ever publish your trip to Alberta?

 

I need to visit my California bros.

 

We will beer and bike you.

Cancelled. Riding buddy had a kitchen remodel going that ran way past deadline and into the narrow weather window for the trip. We'll go this year in the fall.

What's funny is those pics are about 88° and sunny. 5 weeks ago there was 2' of snow there.

 

I no longer work for SRAM, so I can appreciate Both of the drivetrains. I say Both because Campy doesn't count.

I actually had a wonderful time yesterday on one of them fancy Tarmac Pro Disc Ultegra Di2 bikes. Di2 is full of win. Hopefully SRAM doesn't **** up their electronic shifting (they will on 1st production run... they have on almost everything else). The wireless is pretty nice though, as is hot-swappable battery packs.

 

Dude, I just make-fun of everything for no reason other than to troll.

 

I'm just stoked I can openly say shimano wins the road game. XTR 9000, not so much.

Troll away hustler. Its more fun that way.

 

Yep, Shimano has really had the road scene wrapped up for the past few years. Just look at the number of World Tour teams running them over SRAM (epsecially) and Campy. SRAM really seams to be focusing on the lower tiers and grassroots levels of racing recently. With the new FSA group on the horizon, it'll be interesting to see what direction pro road teams will go, though.

 

They'll go to the direction that pays the best.

 

I think they already have :/

Eh, I'm still happy enough with my 10s Red.

 

You shut your ***** mouth

 

Can't get over the thumb release levers. Brings back memories of peasant-mode Tiagra.

Damn them hoods feel good though.

 

Stigmata V2 MY15 | Santa Cruz Bicycles




Will order one of these. I miss my old Crux.

 

That is an awesome looking bike, and not just because it's the right color. Through axles F&R, orange, gigantor fork, CX-1, discs, orange, carbon rims.
Feature wise, it's almost identical to my FTB and probably would I would buy if the FTB didn't exist. Buy it already!