Going from 12 to 11 speed

02gf74
02gf74 Posts: 1,171
in MTB general

Just bought a new Lapierre bike which of course has the obligatory 12 speed system.

I have a couple of bikes with 11 speed (10-42) and find that that is more than enough gears. Most of my riding is off road so I rarely spin out so hardly touch the 2 smallest cogs and so far most hill I can manage to get up hill on the largest but 1 sprocket - I save the 42 for emergencies. Having closer spaced ratios doesn't affect me as it would when cycling on road.

Another factor is cost - 12 speed is so much more costly than 11 plus there is less choice of components, for example try buying an alloy SRAM 12 speed x-sync chainring ..... in gold alloy.

So basically, should I remove the 12 speed and fit 11 speed?

Comments

  • Munsford0
    Munsford0 Posts: 678

    Expensive exercise 😲

    You could just run it into the ground, trash the chainrings / chain / cassette then downgrade? Sell on the 12s shifters and mechs

  • 02gf74
    02gf74 Posts: 1,171

    ... interesting that you consider it a downgrade; 11 speed is stronger by a small amount, cheaper and lighter.

  • Munsford0
    Munsford0 Posts: 678

    My winter road bike still has 9 speed Tiagra for all those reasons

    I meant downgrade only in the number of sprockets...

  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,715
    edited September 26

    What freehub do you have? If it's Shimano Microspline I don't think they ever did an 11 speed cassette, so depending on the hub that could add a lot of expense/difficulty. Personally I wouldn't bother unless the bike came with something like an XX1 cassette with good resale value, if not just ride it until the chain/cassette needs replacing and make the change then.

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