When will the 1x chainwheel fad begin to fade?

[chiocciolis_calves]

It isn't rocket science to figure out what you're losing. How long will this last before consumers figure it out? Reminds me of the singlespeed fad some 15 years ago. Scratched my head on that one, too.

 

[andrew_s]

On MTB, 1x will stay.
Regardless of what they tell the public, the reason for it is that it frees up the BB area to do suspension things with.

 

[jmdirt]

On MTB, 1x will stay.
Regardless of what they tell the public, the reason for it is that it frees up the BB area to do suspension things with.

I think that this is the main reason.

 

[Mayomaniac]

It makes sense in a xc context, but for the average guy and even in a Marathon context it is not the best option.
In a Marathon you can gain minutes on a false flat descent if you have a 2 x or even an oldschool 3x set-up without having to use a lot of energy.

 

[Ricco']

What about evolution in the range of speeds available? I have a 11-50 cassette paired with a 32t chainring and although it's enough for the climbs, I feel the need for more gearing when going downhill, specially on tarmac.

But with the new products available, like a 9-52 cassette (saw one the other day with an affordable price) with a 34t chainring, wouldn't that be enough?

Nevertheless, for leisure rides, I'm willing to sacrifice some extra speed for its simplicity.

 

[jmdirt]

What about evolution in the range of speeds available? I have a 11-50 cassette paired with a 32t chainring and although it's enough for the climbs, I feel the need for more gearing when going downhill, specially on tarmac.

But with the new products available, like a 9-52 cassette (saw one the other day with an affordable price) with a 34t chainring, wouldn't that be enough?

Nevertheless, for leisure rides, I'm willing to sacrifice some extra speed for its simplicity.

There aren't tarmac downhills on my dirt rides.
I'm not sure if I understand the simplicity part because a front derailer isn't complicated (although SRAM never quite figured it out). It does free up that side of the bar for other levers (suspension lockouts, dropper...).

My gripes with 1X:
-Less than ideal gaps to get enough gear inch range
-Bad chainlines
-Too much wrap on 10 (I can't imagine 9)

I have Shimano 1X12, 32t X 10-51 and it works fine, but if I could chose, I would pick 24/34t, 11X46.

 

[glassmoon]

I think that this is the main reason.

+ that silence when there is no chain rattling around the front mech

This thing might be a (future) solution for the ones who need smaller gear gaps but still not gonna deal with a front mech

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFMhUYoqFyc

 

[Black Betsy]

Nothing beats 1x! As a matter of fact I decided that I won't get any new road bike till they come up with an efficient 1x drivetrain.

On two of my hardtails I'm using 1x12, 10-45, 36t, on my santa cruz chameleon 1x12, 10-45, 34t because it's the max allowed. On my orbea laufey 1x11, 10-46, 32t on 2.8 front/2.6 rear in the summer and in the heavy winter(when that occurs!) 3.0 front/2.8 rear (I 'd love to use that configuration on sandy beaches as well, but all the nearby ones are rocky).