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Thinking of buying a gravel / adventure bike to replace my run over cyclocross one (Cube cross pro), but not liking the look of the gear ranges available.....
Current MTB setup is 11-50T to a 32T Which is OK but would possible like to drop to a 30T for a loaded up bike over a long trip so I can spin rather than stand and grind or walk.
Any options to run MTB type gear range with the drop bar shifters????
Best option I have is to put on an XT 2x Crankset 26/36 for super low gears and plenty for top end.
Any ideas STW?
I looked at GRX but eventually just went for 105 (partly cos it was available in silver}. 50/34 front and a 11-40T cassette with R8000 rear mech and Shimano road shifters. That's been fine so far.
go 1x then you can have whatever front ring you like matched upto an 11 42 at the rear.
Would go 105 route as I have 1/2 the parts spare from the old bike, but no clutch +34T max is the issue and road shifter's don't work with MTB mech's 🙁
1x is an option but to get off road gears would limit the top end use if I fit thinner tires without a ring/chain/wheel swap each time.
+ GRX cranks only go down to a 40T and a cassette of 42T max...still not in the MTB range
but no clutch +34T max is the issue and road shifter’s don’t work with MTB mech’s
You can ignore the 34T max thing. My Ultegra rear mech is handling 40T just fine (no Goat/Roadlink) . I also have full range so can do the unforgiveable cross-chaining too.
As for a clutch, I've never had a problem with chain jumping.
Ok, it's not as low as a current MTB but 34/40 isn't bad (I've not tried 34/42 yet)
For the chainring, you could go non-Shimano. I'm using an Easton crankset with direct mount cinch rings on my GRX.
For the back end, JTek shiftmate 8 will let you mix MTB mech with road shifters, I think.
Apparently a goatlink can be used on the GRX mech - see https://bikepacking.com/gear/guide-to-mullet-drivetrains/#VII
If I'm reading this...
... correctly then you can get an 11-42 out back paired with a 46-30 on the front using GRX.
I've been tempted to swap my 105 front to the lower range GRX - the shifters still work apparently and I could occasionally do with a lower gear.
You really need lower than 30:42? That's lower than MTBs were originally in non-compact days.
Technically Shimano don't recommend bigger than 34T biggest cassette sprocket on rear, but depending on dropout orientation you can accommodate bigger either with or without a Goatlink.
You can now get a replacement cage for your GRX rear mech that will allow an 11-50 cassette, it's made by Garbaruk and I look after sales here in the UK alongside Garbaruk in Poland.
Let me know if you need any more info on it.
You'll likely need a GRX front mech for that GRX crank
Technically Shimano don’t recommend bigger than 34T biggest cassette sprocket on rear,
Yeah, I was reading it wrong for 2x 🙂
You’ll likely need a GRX front mech for that GRX crank
Yeah, it's 2.5 mm further out, but the existing lever is supposed to work with it.
build a lightweight rigid 29er and just use mtb gears?
Thanks for the replies....
It's hard to resist the N+1 lure of a titanium gravel bike with GRX for £2k......
PND - Those mullet setups look great.
Hudders - Garbaruk cage would solve anyone going for a 1x system... 🙂
If I go for it I will try the smaller front rings (30/46) with a 10-42 cassette on the standard GRX kit and test my power.
Or by a lighter 29er frame than my Scandal.....
I will also have to start doing squats carrying sandbags or small children to build up my legs...Lol
For about £70 spa cycles will build you a road chain line double chainset in any ratios that you want. Mine is 40 28 with 36 11 at the back. All running happily on Tiagra shifters. For touring I'd go say 24 38
The bottom bracket they recommend is £11
This course is dependant on you having a threaded bottom bracket