Im thinking of coverting to a 1 x 12?

[AlanW]

Its true that I do like to keep abreast of the cycling trends and upgrades etc.
I used to have a Dura Ace triple on my audax bike and l never thought l'd ever get rid of it. But l finally succumbed and swapped to a sub compact chainset. Absolutely love it and wished now that l had changed it years ago.
But going to a 1 x 12 does slightly concern/worry me as l'm loosing a few gear ratios that l know work for me.
I'm pretty sure a 2 x 11 would be perfect for my needs if truth be known, but the simplicity (and the cost to replace) of the 1 x 12 is drawing me in!

 

[Jameshow]

Its true that I do like to keep abreast of the cycling trends and upgrades etc.
I used to have a Dura Ace triple on my audax bike and l never thought l'd ever get rid of it. But l finally succumbed and swapped to a sub compact chainset. Absolutely love it and wished now that l had changed it years ago.
But going to a 1 x 12 does slightly concern/worry me as l'm loosing a few gear ratios that l know work for me.
I'm pretty sure a 2 x 11 would be perfect for my needs if truth be known, but the simplicity (and the cost to replace) of the 1 x 12 is drawing me in!

I prefer a triple to a double for more sedentary riding tbh. I'm more often cross chaining on a double.

The 36 / 11-32 suits that sort of riding.
50/36 compact suits spirited riding without luggage.

So a 1x might work better for general riding?

Just my experience...

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Even though lm more of a slogger than a spinner, l think a 1 x 9 would be a tough old ratio to cover all options.

It’d be 9 ratios and still give you approx 300% range.

 

[AlanW]

It’d be 9 ratios and still give you approx 300% range.

Yes, I take your point, I'll take a look on Sheldon Browns trusty gear calculator tomorrow

 

[Jameshow]

It’d be 9 ratios and still give you approx 300% range.

Perhaps he meant the gaps?
Its not worried me but I'm still reasonably strong.

 

[figbat]

Thanks again for you efforts in checking. Merlin Cycles while they don't have stock at the moment, the SRAM NX cassette is a lot cheaper than l expected it to be!

I just picked up a SRAM PG-1230 cassette from Tweeks Cycles - they were the cheapest I found at the time.

 

[chriswoody]

OK, so this has been nagging at me today. Whilst I knew for definite that an NX cassette fits on an HG freehub, I was curious if the 9 speed one was different somehow. So I've just been into the cellar and had a play.

I've got an old wheel with a 9 speed Deore LX hub and I took the NX cassette off of the MTB and popped it on. Now the cassette fitted the splines perfectly as I knew it would, but the lockring wouldn't engage. So it was out with the ruler and I found that the 9 speed HG freehub body is 36mm long and the 12 speed HG freehub body is 40mm long! So there we go, converting 9 speed hubs to 12 speed is a no go I'm afraid.

Sadly I can't see a way that you could change and make it fit, so it looks like if you wanted to convert, you would be looking at a new wheel as well.
Hopefully you've not bought anything and I've managed to save you some pain and money.

So possibly time to examine the other more sensible options in this thread!

 

[AlanW]

@chriswoody
You are indeed a legend and l cannot thank you enough for your efforts and subsequent advice.
I haven't purchased anything as yet l got distracted down another rabbit hole on another project l'm working on!

I don't do enough MTB riding to warrant buying another wheel, so l guess that's ruled out going to 1 x 12.

Maybe 1 x 11 but l'm thinking 2 x 11 would be better. As l mentioned before, l do have a fear that a 1 x gear option wouldn't really suit my style of riding. Whereas, l know for a fact that 2 x 11 will.

 

[chriswoody]

@chriswoody
You are indeed a legend and l cannot thank you enough for your efforts and subsequent advice.
I haven't purchased anything as yet l got distracted down another rabbit hole on another project l'm working on!

I don't do enough MTB riding to warrant buying another wheel, so l guess that's ruled out going to 1 x 12.

Maybe 1 x 11 but l'm thinking 2 x 11 would be better. As l mentioned before, l do have a fear that a 1 x gear option wouldn't really suit my style of riding. Whereas, l know for a fact that 2 x 11 will.

Not a problem, I'm always curious to learn something new, so I found it an interesting exercise adding to my own knowledge.

Unfortunately 11 speed will also not be possible on your wheel, because 12 speed freehub bodys are the same length as 11 speed. I don't know when they increased the length of the bodies to 40mm, either with 10 speed or 11, but 11 speed hub bodies are definitely 40mm long.

 

[AlanW]

Not a problem, I'm always curious to learn something new, so I found it an interesting exercise adding to my own knowledge.

Unfortunately 11 speed will also not be possible on your wheel, because 12 speed freehub bodys are the same length as 11 speed. I don't know when they increased the length of the bodies to 40mm, either with 10 speed or 11, but 11 speed hub bodies are definitely 40mm long.

Oh nooooo......well that's knackered my plans then, hasn't it!!
Not sure l want to go 1 x 9 really, so l guess l'll stay with the triple

 

[chriswoody]

Actually @AlanW , I may well be wrong!

I've really disapeared down a long rabbit hole now! I'd based my last remark on the fact that I'll be converting my bike from 11 to 12 and I know the cassette is a straight swap. However, that's on a SRAM freehub.

What I failed to appreciate is that Shimano is a little different. There's some great reading here:

https://www.bike-components.de/blog...body-function-compatibilities-and-conversion/

and here:

https://www.wheelworks.co.nz/you-ne...DjZCuDr-puE6QsKpfFd0SilMuuUOrikajXgYi6SFGcyNH

That seems to suggest that an 11 speed Shimano MTB cassette will fit your hub.

Mmm you'll need to get reading and see what you come up with!

 

[Jameshow]

Actually @AlanW , I may well be wrong!

I've really disapeared down a long rabbit hole now! I'd based my last remark on the fact that I'll be converting my bike from 11 to 12 and I know the cassette is a straight swap. However, that's on a SRAM freehub.

What I failed to appreciate is that Shimano is a little different. There's some great reading here:

https://www.bike-components.de/blog...body-function-compatibilities-and-conversion/

and here:

https://www.wheelworks.co.nz/you-ne...DjZCuDr-puE6QsKpfFd0SilMuuUOrikajXgYi6SFGcyNH

That seems to suggest that an 11 speed Shimano MTB cassette will fit your hub.

Mmm you'll need to get reading and see what you come up with!

Iirc 8-10 are the same cassette width 11-12 are wider?

You could stick at 9spd or change easily to 10spd with a new shifter.