whch gearset?

pip001

the time has come to replace my 3x9 gear train and shifters.what are the pros and cons of the ten speed systems and do you go 3x10 or 2x10 ? bikes mainly used offroad but lots of tough climbs.any advice would be very helpful ta.

cooldad

Work out what gears you need and decide from there.
No one can tell you.
I need my granny.

kajjal

I use 2 x 10 and can get up anything so far but just make sure you have the gear ratios you need for your riding.

Some have moved to 1 x 10 convincing themselves they will be fine and have struggled. If you need 3x10 then that's the best choice.

The Rookie

If you aren't replacing the cranks you may as well stay with 3x, the weight saving from one chainring is as little as 35g for an alloy ring!

rockmonkeysc

1x10 is great as long as you have the determination to keep cranking hard up hills and dont mind a little suffering. It is faster if you can make it work because you can't slowly spin up hills in a really low gear.
I wouldnt go back to having a granny ring and a big ring is only useful on road.

Levi_501

3x8

Myster101

Recently moved from 2x10 to 1x10, as Rockmonkey says if your willing to put a bit more effort in then it's a lot faster. Wouldn't go back to a granny ring or big ring either but it's what suits you that matters.

njee20

It's all completely personal at the end of the day.

I liked 1x10, I like 1x11 more. Personally it's not a compromise for me, I wouldn't have gone with it if it was - I don't want additional suffering, nor do I want to have to walk up things. 2x9 was also good, 28/40 were nice ratios, or 28/42 with 10 speed. Personally I see no reason whatsoever to have a 22t chain ring, whether single, double or triple up front. YMMV - go for a ride and really think about the gears you use.

Giraffoto

Since the OP mentions "lots of tough climbs" I'd go with 2x10. I particularly like the way it fits with the idea of a slow range and a fast range