Recently bought this rad Cache, came with a 1×10 Microshift and Magura MTB brakes, but this needs drops and a real drivetrain. I just can’t decide which way to go. I’ve got Eagle on my mtn bikes and love it, but I know very little about gravel drivetrains and especially the Shimano versions. Trying to keep it around $1k or less. Help?
by shunkadelic
5 Comments
2×11 Shimano
Grab a GRX 610 1×12 group on Merlin for sub-$600. Hard to beat for performance and price. I personally love the ergonomics of the group, and performance has been bulletproof.
Sram brakes for drop bars just seem to suck at the lower end.
1×12 electronic Shimano would be my pick
Go 1by if
– you don’t mind larger jumps between gears
– your frame cant fit a front derailleur
– you want maximum tyre clearance (may be limited by the frame instead of drivetrain
– fewer chain skips, mechanical parts (potential points of failure) and potentially save some money
– you want to share parts (i.e. spares, wheelsets) with an existing MTB or MTB spares/parts are more available than road bike components for you
Go 2by if
– you want smaller gear changes for comfortable cadence, specifically relevant for long rides and roads, where you would hold one specific speed for longer
– you want to share parts (i.e. spares, wheelsets) with an existing road bike or road spares/parts are more available than MTB bike components for you
Shimano or SRAM are both great options, in most cases the choice would come down to minute details or more likely what you’d prefer for hood shape, break feel or if you want to share spares with existing Shimano/SRAM bikes.
I’m somewhat of a retrogrouch, but personally I would go with a set of TRP RRL levers, Microshift bar end 11s shimano mtb shifter, and an 11-51t shimano M5100 cassette/derailer.