On MTB the amount of gears really doesn’t matter to much, what matters is the range and having a clutch.
Very few 9 speed drivetrains have a clutch or the pure amount of range you need. When I say range, I’m talking about the amount of teeth between your smallest cog (typically 10 or 11) and your biggest (modern mountain bikes are between 46-52t)
So yes, going to 11 speed will typically get you into the modern era with a clutched drivetrain and capable of fitting an 11-46t casette, but honestly I’d look at some of the CUES drivetrains or Deore 10 speed if you are on a budget, or if the budget allows 11 speed linkglide or 12 speed Deore.
Bottom line though, I wouldn’t go to anything less then 11-46 tooth range.
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On MTB the amount of gears really doesn’t matter to much, what matters is the range and having a clutch.
Very few 9 speed drivetrains have a clutch or the pure amount of range you need. When I say range, I’m talking about the amount of teeth between your smallest cog (typically 10 or 11) and your biggest (modern mountain bikes are between 46-52t)
So yes, going to 11 speed will typically get you into the modern era with a clutched drivetrain and capable of fitting an 11-46t casette, but honestly I’d look at some of the CUES drivetrains or Deore 10 speed if you are on a budget, or if the budget allows 11 speed linkglide or 12 speed Deore.
Bottom line though, I wouldn’t go to anything less then 11-46 tooth range.