Going 1x on my winter road bike, currently running a 10spd force mech. I know a Forcex1 mech would be best to limit dropping the chain but is anyone running a standard mech with a nw ring and having a decent time?
Ring does most of the chain retention, think you really only need a clutch if you're off road
Running a 1x9 set up on my Surly Pacer. Tiagra mech on the rear. No issues. No a narrow wide chainring. Just single speed specific with decent long teeth and no ramps etc as per chainrings designed to shift.
I did fit a chain retainer though.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pletscher-Unisexs-Comp-Zoom/dp/B089ZCGV7T
Not sure it is actually needed. I have had a few 1x bikes and only one tended to drop the chain going off kerbs. Sorted with the Dogtooth. It stops the chain going off inwards where it might jam. Going off outwards just doesn't seem to happen. Can't recall it ever happening on my Pacer.
I'm running various non-clutched mechs as 1x, my winter road bike is using an old XT mech and never drops chains, Noether does the gravel bike, or the rigid MTB.
N/W ring, shorten the chain a smidge and you're golden IME
If it's purely road I wouldn't bother unless you have to buy a mech anyway and the price difference is negligible.
Even on my mostly off-road gravel bike I've been using a non-clutch 105 rear mech with an extended hanger all year with no issues. I think the chainring does the majority of retention, the clutch seems more to limit chain slap which isn't really a thing on the road.
