2x11 mech to 1x11 hydro

Ned Flanders

On my CX/Gravel bike I have 105 5800 with mechanical discs but I want to change the set up to a 1x11 hydraulic.

1. Can I keep any of the bits I have?

2. If not what's a "105 level" of 1x11 (or 1x10) groupset I should be looking at? Apex or Rival 1?

arlowood

Ned Flanders wrote:

On my CX/Gravel bike I have 105 5800 with mechanical discs but I want to change the set up to a 1x11 hydraulic.

1. Can I keep any of the bits I have?

2. If not what's a "105 level" of 1x11 (or 1x10) groupset I should be looking at? Apex or Rival 1?

I suppose it could be possible to mash up your existing 105 5800 but there would be precious little left to convert to a 1 x 11 hydraulic. The only surviving bits could be the compact chainset if you fitted say a 40T chainring and left the other in place but not in use. The shifter/brakes would have to go, the FD also obviously and also the cassette.

For a 1 x set up you would want at least an 11-36 or preferably 11-40 to give you a wide enough range for your gravel/off-road excursions. You might get away with the GS (medium cage) RD with the 11-36 but to run an 11-40 you would need a wolftooth or perhaps a new MTB type rear derailleur.

Your best bet might be to strip and sell off the 105 5800 and invest in an Apex or Rival 1 x groupset. I think the 105 equivalent is Rival with Apex being Tiagra equivalent and Force/ Red being Ultegra/Dura Ace level.

Not a cheap option as the Rival hydraulic groupset retails at around £650

Ned Flanders

OK thanks it sounds like I'll be starting from scratch.

Might wait to see what the Shimano GRX brings in the summer.

timothyw

The Giant Conduct brake system is probably the cheapest way to get what you want.

Otherwise yeah, some new GRX levers and calipers in a couple of months time.

janwal

Check out eBay or Gumtree for secondhand Boardman cx team with the Sram Rival 1x groupset on ( have a 44 front and 11-42 rear. Buy a 42 or 40 front if you need lower gearing). Usually a few hardly used ones on there. Strip it down and sell frameset etc to Recover some costs. I have the 1x on two bikes now and they are superb.

Ned Flanders

janwal wrote:

Check out eBay or Gumtree for secondhand Boardman cx team with the Sram Rival 1x groupset on ( have a 44 front and 11-42 rear. Buy a 42 or 40 front if you need lower gearing). Usually a few hardly used ones on there. Strip it down and sell frameset etc to Recover some costs. I have the 1x on two bikes now and they are superb.

I'm pretty sure they're all mechanical

janwal

Ned,the newer Boardman cx team,red and black ones are sram Rival HYDRAULIC disc brakes. In fact the groupset is Rival apart from the cranks which are a lesser level. Mine is now on a Bianchi I just had to buy a different crank as bottom bracket was different.

erksimsek

You also have to make sure you can install a hose for the rear brake. If the bike has internal cabling for the rear derailleur that does not allow a full cable or braze ons that do not take the full cable, you would have to run the hose outside. Wouldn't look nice at all.