5MV-1Xa – Can you make 1x better?
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https://www.buymeacoffee.com/fiveminutevelo
In some previous videos I have covered making 2x gear systems more appropriate for my riding style and increasing the number of useful gears (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl39Ui4wPvo).
In this video I turn my attention to a 1x gear system. By way of example I modify the gears on my Specialized Turbo Vado which is fitted with 1x. I loose some of the higher gears but in exchange I get some smaller gear jumps in reduced but still high top gears.
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About the 5MV channel
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My name is Terry and I love cycling. I have named my channel “Five Minute Velo” (5MV). I have called it 5MV because the videos I upload will (mostly) last no longer than five minutes. Each video will cover just one subject that is described in the title. Although the channel is mainly about cycling on the road, I will also cover some light (gravel) off road riding, cycle touring and ebiking. No matter what, much of the advice will be pertinent to many branches of the sport/pastime.
I welcome constructive comments that will help me improve the videos that I produce and upload.
There may be some dry humour in some of the videos, so dry it may not always be obvious :-).
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My Strava profile can be found here:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/7723982
Cambridge Cycling Club website:
http://www.cambridge-cycling-club.org.uk/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/fiveminutevelo/
Photos of 2019 Tour of low countries:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3ierczDfurM1gTGi7
Random cycling photos (will be updated from time to time):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/VZBhCWcQZtynsJF1A
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Terry
3 Comments
Hi i put a junior cassette on my bike . For the same reason 👍
I've gotten used to a 1 x 8 setup for both road and gravel. Road is 40T with a 11,12,13,14,16,18,22,28 Gravel 38T 11,12,13,15,18,22,28,34. 8 speed because I prefer a down tube style for reliability and if the bike goes down the shifter is in a protected place.
Particularly for your use case, and the fact you are on an e-bike, the stock gearing is pretty typical. However; as you noticed at the top end, unless you are doing some serious pace downhill you will likely never need the 12 and 11 tooth.
However for many people who get an 'analogue' bike the 1* system is fitted with a 36 or 38 front chainring (possibly even a 32).
Personally I think this is much to low, and many people will be spinning out in the top gear, the ratio being close 1-to-3, your highest ratio is closer to 1-to-4 (if people go mad and get a 2 gear front chainring then the upper ratio is closer to 1-to-5, and that is serious speed on the downhill). This may not sound like much, but that equates to a top speed of 30kmh compared to your 40kmh when going downhill before your start to spin out.
I suspect for most people your system of a 48 tooth chainring up front would actually make the bike more fun for them, and that would make them more likely to use it more often, and a 25% increase in average speed is a massive difference when you are moving at 'cycling speeds'.
Just imagine spending more time at 25kmh rather than spinning like mad at 20kmh, and not feeling you are getting anywhere. Its a good feeling to be able to keep up with vehicular trafic. You could argue doing the same speed as the cars around you is safer ~ as this will annoy the drivers less, and you aren't creating a mobile chicane to get around.
My personal preference on an analogue bike is a 2*10 system: a 53/42 front gearing chainring, and a 12 – to – 36 rear (maybe even throw on a 'hill climbing gear of 42 on the rear).
However most 'budget' bikes are 3*9 systems, which are heavy, not very efficient, and on budget bikes use 'budget' gear systems that require regular attention.
My advice (for most) would be save for an extra couple of months to get to the next level up in bike price range.