Violet13 wrote:
Can I ask why would you run a 1x setup? Why not just use a double chainring setup. Weight on tri bikes is not the issue. Aerodynamics is your key when racing. If you want to drop about 484 grams because you want to go 1x, I would suggest using a double chainring ring setup and have a better cadence and hopefully the result that you want. If you feel 1x is a better setup, then go that route. Your gears will be limited though.
Sure, let me preface this by saying that I personally have not jumped on a wagon of one being better than the other, I think it has to do with the rider and personal preference. So while I will share why I like and prefer it *on my tri bike only, I won't argue your opinion or others about it.
My own experience, I like the simplicity. I have found in my own riding style, that I do not need a lot of the middle gears between the jumps, I have always ran with a wide range of cadence, usually averaging 80rpm in a middle / long distance race, and the minor cadence adjustment required on the 11-36 for the missing gears between jumps from 13 on seems to come natural to me (11, 12, 13 exist on this cassette like a normal 11-25). Also keep in mind running a standard 11-25 cassette, there is no cadence adjustment for me on a course that doesn't have any large climbs, my cassette is the same as most others and I'm likely gearing the exact same as you on a course where you don't leave your 50 tooth, so nothing lost. I also don't climb mountains on my tri bike, and the hilliest race I have in store is Louisville so 5000 gain give or take on rollers? It's a non issue to me.
I haven't dropped a chain once since I went 1x, this was a big problem for me on my previous compact. I've broken a front derailleur spring mid race before, and in Louisville 2016 my front der locked on me after dropping my chain for the 4th or 5th time on the day and I finished up the last 30 in my 50 tooth. Admittedly this is not typical, it's unfortunate equipment malfunction at the worst of times. But that did happen to me, so this is also not hypothetical worry. I always keep my train very clean, lubed, and cared for. I've had zero issues since the switch, just a minor rear adjustment required when switching cassette sizes or moving from my 808 to my disc otherwise it has performed flawlessly. I'm mechanical obviously, but for sake of conversation no dead batteries or electronic malfunctions possible on this setup. One shifter, 11 gears, X-sync lock on the chain.
In summary, it's comfort. It's refreshing to not drop a chain, I like how simple it is, and it has not affected my performance. I didn't drop it for aerodynamics or weight loss
though arguably there is a smidge of that in removing a part of the bike, and now that I've shed the front der, the compact crank and 3 feet of cable, I'm soaking up that quarter of a second I just dropped off my 112 mile ride. But anyone looking to shed weight for is usually better off having a glass of water instead of another beer, and taking 1lbs off the gut in oppose to shelling out $XXX bucks to move to 1x :)
For reference I still rock a compact on my road bike and plan to keep it that way. The n+1 gravel coming in this winter, that will be 1x.
Regards,
J. Smith