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Post by joby on Nov 28, 2017 11:00:24 GMT
The n+1 I'm currently looking at has options for a single chainring (1x11, 40T ring + 11/42 cassette) and also 650b wheels.
It's a gravel/adventure bike and looks to be the all-rounder I've been looking for for year-round commuting, leisure use, bit of off-road and the occasional audax and sportive. However, not yet sold on 1x drivetrains and know next to nothing about the potential benefits 650b wheels.
Anyone have any thoughts on either 1x or 650b? I'm tempted to stick with the 50/34 and 700c options, although the simplicity of dropping a chainring does appeal (and sacrificing the highest gears is probably not really an issue seeing as I don't race or chaingang).
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 12:22:52 GMT
The n+1 I'm currently looking at has options for a single chainring (1x11, 40T ring + 11/42 cassette) and also 650b wheels. It's a gravel/adventure bike and looks to be the all-rounder I've been looking for for year-round commuting, leisure use, bit of off-road and the occasional audax and sportive. However, not yet sold on 1x drivetrains and know next to nothing about the potential benefits 650b wheels. Anyone have any thoughts on either 1x or 650b? I'm tempted to stick with the 50/34 and 700c options, although the simplicity of dropping a chainring does appeal (and sacrificing the highest gears is probably not really an issue seeing as I don't race or chaingang). My first thoughts are try before you buy... |
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Post by joby on Nov 28, 2017 12:39:08 GMT
The n+1 I'm currently looking at has options for a single chainring (1x11, 40T ring + 11/42 cassette) and also 650b wheels. It's a gravel/adventure bike and looks to be the all-rounder I've been looking for for year-round commuting, leisure use, bit of off-road and the occasional audax and sportive. However, not yet sold on 1x drivetrains and know next to nothing about the potential benefits 650b wheels. Anyone have any thoughts on either 1x or 650b? I'm tempted to stick with the 50/34 and 700c options, although the simplicity of dropping a chainring does appeal (and sacrificing the highest gears is probably not really an issue seeing as I don't race or chaingang). My first thoughts are try before you buy... Try before I buy is an option as I can borrow one for a weekend (at a cost that is subsequently deducted from the price if I decide to buy). Definitely worth it to try the 1x, where my main concern is gaps in range while riding on road. For the 650b wheel size, my main worry is the lack of tyres. Pretty easy to find something chunky, say 35mm plus, as it's becoming a popular wheel size for gravel bikes. Trying to find a 28mm for road use is trickier. |
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Post by chas on Nov 28, 2017 12:53:03 GMT
I think the point of 650b is that you can use wider tyres without increasing the overall diameter. If you only want 28's stick with 700c if you want wider an equivalent 650 should be lighter.
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Post by joby on Nov 28, 2017 13:51:27 GMT
I think the point of 650b is that you can use wider tyres without increasing the overall diameter. If you only want 28's stick with 700c if you want wider an equivalent 650 should be lighter. There's enough frame clearance for 45mm on the 700c and 48mm on the 650b. 28mm is the minimum on both. Was thinking of two sets of tyres - 28mm for "road mode" and something chunkier (thinking probably mid-30s) for general purpose. I think I've convinced myself to stick with 700c  |
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Post by william39 on Nov 28, 2017 15:32:29 GMT
I like the idea of 1x11. I wouldn't be worried too much about gaps, the normal cassette has one tooth gaps in the part most non racers rarely use. On a flattish road I am more often in the 14-16-18 region of my cassette than the 11-12-13. If I could customise a cassette I would probaly do away with the 12 and 13 and add a 15 and 17. I would keep an 11t for descending. Aqua Blue will be using 1x11 this year on the new 3T Strada bike. cyclingtips.com/2017/10/aqua-blue-sport-the-3t-strada-and-the-future-of-1x-road-drivetrains/ |
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Post by joby on Nov 28, 2017 16:57:04 GMT
I like the idea of 1x11. I wouldn't be worried too much about gaps, the normal cassette has one tooth gaps in the part most non racers rarely use. On a flattish road I am more often in the 14-16-18 region of my cassette than the 11-12-13. If I could customise a cassette I would probaly do away with the 12 and 13 and add a 15 and 17. I would keep an 11t for descending. Aqua Blue will be using 1x11 this year on the new 3T Strada bike. cyclingtips.com/2017/10/aqua-blue-sport-the-3t-strada-and-the-future-of-1x-road-drivetrains/I think it's a case of choosing the right cassette for a 1x drivetrain. I rarely use my lowest gears as it is - rural Hertfordshire has no need of them - and an 11/42 cassette either offers gears that are too low (assuming a 40T chainring is used) or big gaps (assuming 46T). Things are a bit better with 42T and 44T, and could be tightened up even further with an 11/36 or similar on the back. You've got me thinking again, I'd all but made my mind up earlier |
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Post by chas on Nov 28, 2017 17:10:14 GMT
I think the point of 650b is that you can use wider tyres without increasing the overall diameter. If you only want 28's stick with 700c if you want wider an equivalent 650 should be lighter. There's enough frame clearance for 45mm on the 700c and 48mm on the 650b. 28mm is the minimum on both. Was thinking of two sets of tyres - 28mm for "road mode" and something chunkier (thinking probably mid-30s) for general purpose. I think I've convinced myself to stick with 700c Another advantage of discs is that you're not tied to the wheel size, you could start off with 700x28 and get some 650 wheels in the future to use with wider tyres (or start with 650's and get narrower 700's if they don't feel fast enough) |
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Post by chas on Nov 28, 2017 17:21:03 GMT
I like the idea of 1x11. I wouldn't be worried too much about gaps, the normal cassette has one tooth gaps in the part most non racers rarely use. On a flattish road I am more often in the 14-16-18 region of my cassette than the 11-12-13. If I could customise a cassette I would probaly do away with the 12 and 13 and add a 15 and 17. I would keep an 11t for descending. Aqua Blue will be using 1x11 this year on the new 3T Strada bike. cyclingtips.com/2017/10/aqua-blue-sport-the-3t-strada-and-the-future-of-1x-road-drivetrains/I think it's a case of choosing the right cassette for a 1x drivetrain. I rarely use my lowest gears as it is - rural Hertfordshire has no need of them - and an 11/42 cassette either offers gears that are too low (assuming a 40T chainring is used) or big gaps (assuming 46T). Things are a bit better with 42T and 44T, and could be tightened up even further with an 11/36 or similar on the back. You've got me thinking again, I'd all but made my mind up earlier If you use it for Audax rides you may be grateful for those rarely used low gears, but swapping the chainring or cassette from your usual one isn't a huge effort or expense. |
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Post by joby on Nov 28, 2017 17:22:39 GMT
There's enough frame clearance for 45mm on the 700c and 48mm on the 650b. 28mm is the minimum on both. Was thinking of two sets of tyres - 28mm for "road mode" and something chunkier (thinking probably mid-30s) for general purpose. I think I've convinced myself to stick with 700c Another advantage of discs is that you're not tied to the wheel size, you could start off with 700x28 and get some 650 wheels in the future to use with wider tyres (or start with 650's and get narrower 700's if they don't feel fast enough) Run two wheelsets, you say? I like your thinking! |
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Post by chas on Nov 28, 2017 17:25:56 GMT
Another advantage of discs is that you're not tied to the wheel size, you could start off with 700x28 and get some 650 wheels in the future to use with wider tyres (or start with 650's and get narrower 700's if they don't feel fast enough) Run two wheelsets, you say? I like your thinking! Easier to justify than N+1 and almost as useful |
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Post by joby on Nov 30, 2017 9:34:22 GMT
After a little more investigation, something that may push me to 700c instead of 650b is mudguard availability. As a year-round all-weather commuter, this is an absolute must. So far, I've struggled to find full guards targeted at 650b.
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Post by chas on Nov 30, 2017 11:50:01 GMT
After a little more investigation, something that may push me to 700c instead of 650b is mudguard availability. As a year-round all-weather commuter, this is an absolute must. So far, I've struggled to find full guards targeted at 650b. The SKS chromoplastics/blumels etc come in different widths, just choose the width to suit your tyre choice and cut the stays to the appropriate length don't worry if it says 700c. |
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Post by joby on Nov 30, 2017 12:00:37 GMT
After a little more investigation, something that may push me to 700c instead of 650b is mudguard availability. As a year-round all-weather commuter, this is an absolute must. So far, I've struggled to find full guards targeted at 650b. The SKS chromoplastics/blumels etc come in different widths, just choose the width to suit your tyre choice and cut the stays to the appropriate length don't worry if it says 700c. That's a very good point - just a slightly smaller circle after all (although I'm guessing with 650b wheels and 47mm tyres the circle is probably not much different!) |
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Post by ChrisD on Nov 30, 2017 21:34:55 GMT
The SKS chromoplastics/blumels etc come in different widths, just choose the width to suit your tyre choice and cut the stays to the appropriate length don't worry if it says 700c. That's a very good point - just a slightly smaller circle after all (although I'm guessing with 650b wheels and 47mm tyres the circle is probably not much different!) I’ve noticed a few gravel/bikepacking set ups now have 700c and 650b options. Seems like a great solution for an all purpose steed. |
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