As far as we’re aware, SRAM is still making front mechs – but as our reporter Rob is out in Italy right now finding out all sorts of exciting things, you never know – but SRAM has posted this video up on YouTube, eulogising the front mech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiALL1fnolk
Can’t see the video? Click here.
In suitably sombre tones, Voiceover Man tells us all that it was fondly remembered, but that, really, the new way (led by SRAM, natch) is better…
…what say you? Cobblers, or chapeau?
A bit overdone. It’s only a front mech.
Glad to be able to run 1×11 on both my bikes. Happy to miss out on the grinding changes from the granny. Always feeling the need for just one more, slightly easier, gear on some hills. I should just ride more.
Why the need for the crazy low gears? I seem to remember Deore XT low gear in 1990 was 24:28…..
1 x 11 is fine if you like the simplicity and can live with the gear range. However the weight saving is not all it is cracked up to be. I took off all my 2×9 drive chain weighed it and compared to SRAM GX 1X11 setup, GX is less than 200 grams lighter.
@leadfold – It also means shorter chain stays – more room for suspension gubbins.. I have 1×11 on all of my bikes – I can manage with it – however on my 29er I sometimes feel that I’m ” behind ” the gear ( never on top of it?) I should really just get a 28… ; ] Dick waving about fitness Billy Boy is really not the point of 1 x systems at all- there’s loads of people with doubles or single speeds that could trounce me uphill or 1 x 11 gearing (My wife for one!) doesn’t mean that I can’t ride a 1×11 and I’m sure once the new wider gearing comes out (Allegedly) it’ll be even more suitable for more people.
1) 2 x 10 is King (3×9 had too much overlap).
2) Shimano all the way.
3) Frame and Pivot issues, my arse, look at E Type or Direct Mount. (Check the Transition Scout, F Mech on the Pivot!)
4) Mountain Biking is not Trail Centre, Most CX bikes could ride a Red route. Mountain biking is steep technical and grim weather.
Mark, I like the magazine, in fact I think it has long been the best one out there. If you are worried about being insulted then can I direct you to our last exchange where you changed my forum name when you replied to the more derisive and belittling billybob! Sow – reap etc! This is a serious issue and I feel, very strongly, that limiting the range of gears, both high and low, will seriously damage the mountain bike industry. Ordinary punters will be put off buying bikes if they can’t get up a hill on them and the can’t get up a good head of speed on a descent. There is also the dark area that dogs product review journalism. Essentially you are there to enlighten us, and that’s what we pay you money for, because most of us are not able to adequately test stuff before we buy it. When the industry come out with a product which they label as a ‘wide ratio’ gear system, that actually has narrower ratios than the systems that preceded it, then I worry if you, as our paid representative, swallow what is essentially a misrepresentation of reality without challenging it on our behalf. Kind regards, billyboy
Don’t forget, this is only one company saying goodbye to the front mech.
There are others that are still embracing it and (I would think) always will…
If you can get away with a narrower selection of gears, go 1by.
If you need a larger range, stick with 2by or even a triple….
All options are still covered.
Calm down guys, if you want an argument, head over to Pinkbike!
I’m personally very happy with my one by ten by Oneup, and was very upset by the irritation of deciding which shifter to use on my new road bike commuter thing, to the extent that I just ignore the front shifter now…
But… I don’t mind what anyone else wants to use, I just don’t want them to tell me that their way is the only way. That’s kind of how wars get started!
“this is a serious issue”
Is it bollocks.
Perhaps now SRAM can divert their resources into making jockey wheels out of something that lasts more than five minutes.