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XX - Time to throw away you X.0?


Rob's picture

By Rob - Posted on 01 March 2009

Seems like 10 rear, 2 front is the new 9 rear, 3 front. If you know what I mean? I wish they'd quit it and just get a tiny, lightweight, in-BB gearbox going instead.

According to this, both SRAM and Shimano are going that way.

From:

http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-news/mtb-ne...

This was mentioned back in Nov last year, but didn't see it before:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/tech/200...

Cue SS mumblings... Eye-wink

lozza6's picture

Thats terrible....

I don't think its a good idea at all.

Will make our bikes look more like scum bikes Sticking out tongue

although having said that.. I use middle ring on 100% of trails..

I only ever pop out the granny for endurance races and Big for Road bits.... I could do without both really....

From the picture though it looks like its just Big and Middle? I'd rather middle and small I reckon....

Damien's picture

Thats what I have been wanting and putting together in my mind for my N+1 coming later in the year now I dont have to modify an XTR 3 ring crank to take two chainrings yes yes yes.

Buck's picture

I guess the target users of this groupset being XC racers would use the big ring more than us weight weenie weekend hacks so big and middle would be sensible.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/tech/200...

Rob's picture

Actually - the bike Gazza had to borrow on Saturday morning only had 2 rings. Think it's owner said they were 29/44 and used in conjunction with 11-34 cassette.

I don't have an issue with less gears so long as they cross the same range, which means you'd want more teeth on the largest cassette cog. Which I can't see them doing. If this XX doesn't give a larger range then you can get with current dual ring + 11-34 cassette then why bother?

Buck's picture

In that link I posted it says that some pro racers would like a narrower pedalling stance which would come with the lack of the granny ring.

Rob's picture
some pro racers would like a narrower pedalling stance

Yeah - but think the chain stays would get in the way wouldn't they? I know there's next to no clearance on the Rush between the cranks and rear triangle as it is. Guess there are some skinnier frames around then?

lozza6's picture

somehow.. i dont think 29 and 34 covers the lower range....

Paul's picture

I read somewhere a few years back Trek and Lance went to great lengths to a) build a time trial with a very narrow profile and then b) keeping this a secret. The narrower the bike the less wind resistence, the improved riding position, etc, etc.

Somehow I don't think this translates that well to MTB riding, especially with the larger tubing, front suspension forks and the constant changing of riding positions, etc.

tienster's picture

i have always liked 2X9 setup but never got around to remove the granny/change the front derailleur. Now 2X10 is even better out of the box!

And the double tap and the new Avid brakes, should be similar to Avid Mag SL brakes.

Better save up for this soon as it won't be cheeeeap and soon.

Tien.

CB's picture

Hi Paul

I remember interviews with Graeme Obree back in the day talking about low Q chainsets. He always regreted telling a reporter that part of his home made bike ( on which broke the world hour record in 1993) was made from a dismantled washing machine. He was always slightly unconventional, but this made him sound positively nutty. It was also the only thing people wanted to talk about.... similar to his great rival, Chris Boardman's comment 'It's not about the bloody bike' after winning Olympic track medals etc ( Everyone believed that the Lotus superbike won the medals, Boardman was merely a passenger).

Sorry, back on topic.... the washing machine part which Obree used was apparently the main bearing from a front loader which was both beautifully made and very narrow... ideal for a bottom bracket in fact. It moved his knees and ankles significantly closer together. The rear triangle of the bike was designed around this bottom bracket.

I was reminded of this just recently when watching the movie 'Flying Scotsman' which has a great scene where Obree's wife comes home to find her new washing machine spread all over the kitchen floor and her husband lying on his back, legs in the air, pedalling imaginary pedals at about 120rpm.

Great movie about a true renegade. ( some pretty thick Scottish accents in places.... if anyone needs a translation, let me know !)

CB

tienster's picture

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