I chose a 1x drivetrain for my commuter build and people at the shop think I'm nuts

Had to pick between a classic 2x10 setup or a 1x11 for a daily rider I was building up. Everyone I work with said the 2x was the only smart choice for a commuter, more range, blah blah. I went with a 1x anyway, a SRAM NX group, because I wanted less to go wrong and no front derailleur to adjust. It's been six months and about 800 miles of city riding, and I haven't missed the extra gears once. The simplicity is perfect for a bike that gets locked up outside and needs to just work. Anyone else run a 1x on a non-mountain bike and get pushback for it?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_jordan7d ago

Switched my gravel bike to 1x and never looked back for the same reasons.

paul2867d agoMost Upvoted

Know exactly what you mean, @the_jordan. Dropped the front derailleur last season and the bike just feels cleaner now. No more chain rub on steep climbs or that annoying trim click halfway up a hill. My shifting is way more reliable when things get muddy too. It's one less thing to worry about when you're just trying to enjoy the ride.

hollyl456d ago

Honestly the weight saving is a bigger deal than people admit. That extra chainring and shifter up front adds up, especially on a commuter where you're stopping and starting all the time. My 1x feels noticeably quicker off the line.