So I have a Deore 10 (the one designed for 2x)and it's limited to 46T max in 1x.
Unfortunately, I'm not one of those people that thinks it's ever faster to walk and I guess I'm a good walking pace biker because I regularly spin up 20% grades in my granny on the gravel bike (3x) which is 16 gear inches (16.98 to be exact, but it sounds cooler to say my gear range is 16-110 vs 17 to 110).
For trails with a loaded bike my current gearing isn't getting it done. Stock it's 30×46 but I bought a 28T chainring to swap. Still, looking at the gear inches that's not low enough for loaded trail riding.
I am looking at the S-Ride M600 (12spd Shimano compatible) and either a Microshift or Sunrace cassette. Cassette would either have a low gear of 48T or 51T. 51T is preferred. 52T is also an option but they are tough to find in 10spd.
Looks like it will cost around $120 to upgrade RD and cassette, chain is still fairly new so I might get away without changing it.
If I go to 11/12spd I'll need a new shifter and a new chain. It's possible it won't cost that much more but it will still cost more. I'm thinking probably $150-175. I also think less gears isn't an issue for me but a thinner chain might wear faster. I prefer durability.
Thoughts?
by _MountainFit
2 Comments
I’d think long and hard about moving away from deore because those components you’re looking at are downgrades in reliability, durability, shift quality.
I’ve ran 10 speed deore 11-42 for a few years and thousands of miles. The product just works so damn well.
When I find a great component in the mountain of cycling marketing bullshit, and it works really good all the time, and it’s cheap, I’m going to keep using it despite it’s shortcomings.
RD-M5100-SGS is your friend in times like these.
You will need a new chain.
Frankly, the Deore shifter is cheap so you can easily go up to 11.
Sunrace cassette is heavy but reliable. The Deore 11-51 is comparable and not terribly expensive either.
People snooze on this budget product line from Shimano but it’s reliable if you don’t mind the extra weight.