Ditching the 11 speed for 10 or 9speed even.

[outerlimits]

Currently running SRAM NX 11speed on the Levo and the cassette and chain are worn out. I’ve also just smacked the rear mech and it’s junk too.
Looking at prices and the 10speed stuff looks a bit cheaper and future chain and cassette swaps look to be a bit cheaper too and also can be had in a 11-42 cassette.
Then there’s a new player “Advent Microshift” with a 11-42 cassette with just 9 speeds. The shifter, rear mech, and cassette can be had for just $200Aud.

Should I change, and benifit from cheaper running cost and maybe greater strength?
Or should I just go back to the ole 11 speed ?

 

[steve_sordy]

Some emtbs have an 8-speed only on the premium bike (CUBE I believe) for the same reasons that you mention. CUBE say it's all about the range, which is provided by a wide range cassette. A motor means that you don't actually NEED more speeds. The wider chain is stronger and is in effect an "e"-chain!

I tried their 8-speed bike and I just could not settle on a speed I liked, the cadence always seemed wrong - too fast or too slow. I suppose that I could have changed the front ring to put the gears in a different place on my "feel-o-meter", but instead I decided that I didn't want an 8-speed gearing set up. I much preferred their cheaper bike with 10-speed. In the end I bought a different brand (FOCUS) that happened to have a 11-speed set up. The cadence I was doing and the gear I was in were never an issue because I always felt "right".

 

[33red]

About the 8 options you better try it. I read some do like and some hate the gaps. Personaly i ride in all places so i like an 11-42 10 speeds. I need less double shifts than an 11. By not going as low as a 46 or 50 it picks up less branches. Depending on your area, tire size, etc... probably a 34 or 36 front should cover you. It also depends were you live, what is allowed legaly. My assist cuts at 32km so with my 27.5x3.0 or 2.8 i can live with either one. If you want to calculate here is a link Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Gear Calculator

 

[Rusty]

Lived on Sheldons pages when I was riding/racing the singlespeed.
I am thinking 10sp is probably the best compromise. My Scott has a PG1230 11-50T and my Levo has PG1130 11-42T - with a 10speed I think a 11-46 would give me a better low gear than the Levo 42T without the overly low 50T of the Scott and would allow what to me with my weight 110-112kegs to be a heavier duty chain. As both current set-ups have 11T as the high gear there is no need to compute ratios and will cut way down double shifts.

 

[33red]

Lived on Sheldons pages when I was riding/racing the singlespeed.
I am thinking 10sp is probably the best compromise. My Scott has a PG1230 11-50T and my Levo has PG1130 11-42T - with a 10speed I think a 11-46 would give me a better low gear than the Levo 42T without the overly low 50T of the Scott and would allow what to me with my weight 110-112kegs to be a heavier duty chain. As both current set-ups have 11T as the high gear there is no need to compute ratios and will cut way down double shifts.

That is it, knowing what we need/like. I am 60 kilos so sure i like climbing. All my bikes are geared to climb. I never used a 10S 11-46 so i do not recommand it but a rider told me he liked it.