I recently got myself my first gravel bike – it’s a GT Grade with GRX 1 x 12 speed. It’s running a 40T chainring with 10-45 cassette.
I’ve done a bunch of riding on different terrains, flags and hills and have realised that for the vast majority of my riding I’m using the bottom 3 cogs on the cassette and don’t think I’ve ever used the 45 at all, despite going up some pretty steep hills. I come from
Road cycling with i am fairly fit.
On the gravel bike I’m struggling to find a nice cadence – I typically ride at around 90 rpm but with the big jumps in gears I am finding it tricky to get a comfortable rhythm.
Would I be better finding a cassette with less range or go for a larger chainring and use more of the gears further up the cassette? Shimano seem to only offer a 46T though and I’m concerned how much harder that will be?
Any advice? Recommendations?
Thanks.
Photo is just for attention really.
by Dejay1788
5 Comments
You’d probably be better off with a 2x setup. Those jumps are an aspect of 1x. Roadies in particular often prefer 2x because you can find that cadence easier with the right gear.
I had the same issue and I upgraded the chain ring to a 44t from a 40 and that helped a lot. I could have gone for a larger chain ring but that’s the one the shop had. The 45 tooth at the back is still useful once in a while when I need a granny gear when I go on a single track climb.
It’s actually so dumb that 1x grx offers only small chainring mostly. If you can find a 46t then should be good enough, but also need to check max size chainring for your bike.
40 to 46 is a big jump. I think that’ll fix your problem. I wish I was strong and light enough to have this problem
I have the opposite problem:) I need great grandmother gear.