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I have a Trek marlin 7 2020 but looking to upgrade my groupset on it. It currently has a 2x9 shimano altus set up but I want to go down to a single ring at the front. Opinions on whether to go for 11 or 12 speed would be good. Also wondering what components I should be looking at in order to do it. It seems it will be easier for me to get things separately and not just buy a shimano set as it may be incompatible on the rear
Depends on the rear hub as to what you can do.
If it's a standard Shimano hub you can go 11 speed and to change to 12 speed would need a microspline freehub. A lot of hubs are now changeable though but just depends on what you have currently.
I'm guessing, as it's Shimano now, this ill be the case so would just be a case of picking what level you want to go to.
You'd need, minimum, rear mech/shifter/chain/cassette and a single ring for the front.
Looking at the spec the cranks are 104mm BCD so that's the ring you'd need to get.
edit: looking at the wheels I'd say you wouldn't be able to go 12 speed so 11 would be the way to go unless you can get a SRAM freehub then that opens up the SRAM options.
@stevied SRAM NX and SX cassettes (11 and 12 speed) fit a ‘standard’ Shimano HG freehub.
There is very little 12 speed other than deore available currently. Seems to be more 11 speed. Given the initial cost of your bike imo anything more than Deore level would be a waste.
Good point Tom, not up on SRAM so just giving the Shimano options..
I want to go down to a single ring at the front.
Why?
If you are really determined to do it, 11 speed is going to be much cheaper because you won't need a new rear wheel. This is the basic stuff you will need. Should be able to do it cheaper if you shop around.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-slx-m7000-11-speed-cassette/rp-prod159188
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-slx-m7000-11sp-rear-derailleur/rp-prod148563
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-slx-m7000-11-speed-rear-shifter/rp-prod148460
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-105-5800-slx-m7000-hg601q-11sp-chain/rp-prod148223
Chainring will depend on what cranks you have:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-slx-m7000-11-speed-chainring/rp-prod148224
I would look at 1 x 10 as well, as it might work out cheaper while still giving you a similar range to 1x11. My daughter's hardtail is set up with the following....
Sunrace 11-46t MX3 10sp cassette
SLX (11sp) derailleur
Deore 10sp shifter
I just replaced the original 11-42 Deore cassette with the Sunrace one to start with, but I eventually replaced the 10sp Deore mech with an 11sp SLX mech as it was struggling with the 46t cog.
Thanks for the info, for those wondering my crank needs replacing, the rings at the front need to be replaced and on this bike it is a whole unit. Doesn't seem to be able to replaced as is so I like the bike and frame etc so was looking at changing it up. Unless anyone knows where I can get new chainrings and cranks from for it?
Unless anyone knows where I can get new chainrings and cranks from for it?
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cranksets/mtb-cranksets?ss=2441&sort=pricelow