2 x 9 vs 2 x 10

Mark909
Mark909 Posts: 456
edited October 2012 in MTB beginners
Hello, could someone tell me the difference between 2 x 9 and 2 x 10.

I'm a bit confused about chainsets and gearing. Does this mean that the 2 x 10 will enable you to go faster or does it mean you will be able to climb hills easier in the lowest gear?

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Yes and no, and no change.

    it all depends on what you put together.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Mark909
    Mark909 Posts: 456
    Thanks I get it a bit more now.

    So a 2 x 10 set up with 42-28t combination would enable you to go faster than a 2 x 9 with a 36-22t combination but the 2 x 9 with a 36-22t would make it easier to peddle up a steep hill in the granny gear?
  • Mark909
    Mark909 Posts: 456
    Whilst I'm trying to figure things out. Do you know the bits between the fork and the frame? What are they called?
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Headset?
    I don't do smileys.

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  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Wheels? Hubs?

    How fast you can go depends on the highest gear: so you need to look at cassette ratios too. Most cassettes have a high gear of 11t, so a 42/11 is the fastest gear, assuming you can pedal it fast enough.

    The low gear, well depends on the cassette large cog now.
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  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    I feel this is a bit of a John McEnroe moment?
  • Mark909
    Mark909 Posts: 456
    Ah I see I'm getting it the wrong way round.

    I just found this anatomy of a mountain bike picture which is a great help!

    anatomy.jpg

    Higher rez version here http://www.khurramweb.com/images/anatomy.jpg

    Cooldad I think the bit I meant was the bottom cup and bearing and the top cup and bearing!
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Which collectively is called the headset.
    Spend some time in 'Read this first' in my sig, or Parktools and Sheldon Brown in Nicklouses, and it will be time well spent.
    I don't do smileys.

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  • Mark909
    Mark909 Posts: 456
    Awesome thanks for the links cooldad
  • felix.london
    felix.london Posts: 4,067
    Just to let you know my top gear of 36x11 is plenty fast enough for everything I ride over here

    2x10 set up btw. 22/36 x 11-32
    "Why have that extra tooth if you're not using it?" - Brian Lopes

    Votec V.SX Enduro 'Alpine Thug' 2012/2013 build

    Trek Session 8
  • Mark909
    Mark909 Posts: 456
    Thanks Felix. The reason i asked is that I bought the shimano slx double chainset when it was cheap on CRC a while ago.

    Whilst riding at a trail centre the other day I got thinking that when I get it installed my mates will leave me behind on the forest road sections between singletrack and i'll just see tham riding off into the distance!

    Its 2 x 9. 22/36 x 11-34
  • The Northern Monkey
    The Northern Monkey Posts: 19,136
    Mark909 wrote:
    Hello, could someone tell me the difference between 2 x 9 and 2 x 10.

    2
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • Mark909
    Mark909 Posts: 456
    Hah thanks for that northern monkey you made me laugh
  • The Northern Monkey
    The Northern Monkey Posts: 19,136
    I'm actually surprised no one got there before me! :D
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Mark909 wrote:
    Whilst riding at a trail centre the other day I got thinking that when I get it installed my mates will leave me behind on the forest road sections between singletrack and i'll just see tham riding off into the distance!
    On MTB tyres you won't max out anything over a 36/11 for very long, there is simply too much drag, I went from 32/11 to 36/11 and am considering going back as I don't use the top gears very often.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • felix.london
    felix.london Posts: 4,067
    Mark909 wrote:
    Thanks Felix. The reason i asked is that I bought the shimano slx double chainset when it was cheap on CRC a while ago.

    Whilst riding at a trail centre the other day I got thinking that when I get it installed my mates will leave me behind on the forest road sections between singletrack and i'll just see tham riding off into the distance!

    Its 2 x 9. 22/36 x 11-34

    Are these forest roads down hill and made of tarmac? 36 x 11 will be fine if they're not. And I'll second what The Beginner says; for my next build I'm going with a 22/32 crankset. Plenty fast enough for anything I ride. Tbh - I'm more concerned with being able to slow down over here :shock:
    "Why have that extra tooth if you're not using it?" - Brian Lopes

    Votec V.SX Enduro 'Alpine Thug' 2012/2013 build

    Trek Session 8
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    The actual difference between 3 chainrings and 2 is very small- you don't lose 9 gears as you might assume, because mostly it's duplication. With a traditional 22-32-44 setup vs a 22-36 setup, you lose only the top 2 and a half gears
    Uncompromising extremist
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    And if you do do, you'll find yourself using the smaller cogs on the rear more which is not as good for wear and longevity of the whole system.
  • Mark909
    Mark909 Posts: 456
    Great thanks for the advice guys
  • MDobs
    MDobs Posts: 167
    sorry to be a git but you've got 245 posts and been a member since 2008, yet don't know about gearing on a bike... have you just spent all your time in the crudcatcher posting pictures of women?
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    We need more people like that.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    And fewer gits.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • MDobs
    MDobs Posts: 167
    Northwind wrote:
    We need more people like that.

    Thanks, I think there's a definite need for more people like me
    cooldad wrote:
    And fewer gits.

    Says the man with a sarcastic comment for just about everything.
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    We don't need more people like that. Cooldad's got it well covered.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    edited October 2012
    MDobs wrote:
    Northwind wrote:
    We need more people like that.

    Thanks, I think there's a definite need for more people like me
    cooldad wrote:
    And fewer gits.

    Says the man with a sarcastic comment for just about everything.
    Calling someone a git for asking a question is gittish, especially in Beginners. And my reply was not sarcastic - look it up.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Northwind wrote:
    We don't need more people like that. Cooldad's got it well covered.
    Thank you, I do my best.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • Mark909
    Mark909 Posts: 456
    MDobs wrote:
    sorry to be a git but you've got 245 posts and been a member since 2008, yet don't know about gearing on a bike... have you just spent all your time in the crudcatcher posting pictures of women?

    And you've been a member for only six months and have 100 posts already! You really need to stop whacking off over the pictures I post in crudcatcher and get out more.

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