Gearing! Going from 12 to 10 speed

[LowStandards]

I own a Trek Rail with Sram 12 speed gearing

The drivetrain is now worn and to be fair, I never did like it


I'd like to go to a Shimano Zee short cage setup running 11-36T, the current gearing is 11-50T


I never find myself using the 50T and the 42T only gets used rarely. I also never use the 11T, the type of riding doesn't warrant trying to go flat out.


The question is, am I ok using the 11-36T setup? Will I find any issues? If I find myself needing the lower gearing, am I correct that I can use a smaller chainring up front?

 

[Rostle32]

I own a Trek Rail with Sram 12 speed gearing

The drivetrain is now worn and to be fair, I never did like it


I'd like to go to a Shimano Zee short cage setup running 11-36T, the current gearing is 11-50T


I never find myself using the 50T and the 42T only gets used rarely. I also never use the 11T, the type of riding doesn't warrant trying to go flat out.


The question is, am I ok using the 11-36T setup? Will I find any issues? If I find myself needing the lower gearing, am I correct that I can use a smaller chainring up front?

I downgraded my 2020 Rail 7 a while ago partly do to me thinking emtb dont need a 50T granny,
and partly due to Covid, no stock of parts!
i took mine down to deore 11-42 10speed, which is dandy, parts are cheap and plentyful,
Zee shifter deore mech, HG freehub was the dearest thing ,but now chain/cassette swap is about a £60 shell out
(instead of a £90+ job, and thats if you can find any)

 

[Kilham5]

I ditched the SRAM and went Deore 11-42.
I don't even consider it a downgrade.
It was cheap as chips and is absolutely perfect with a 34 up front.

 

[Tonybro]

I went 11-42 too on the Merida after I wore the original out. No issues...

 

[LowStandards]

42T is still long cage isn't it?

 

[iXi]

I dropped to a 11-42t and then 11-36t. The 11-36t is plenty except when I'm totally gassed on a super steep section and just want to coast.

 

[LowStandards]

I think i'll give it a go, the whole setup looks to be around £150, so not a huge amount to test it

 

[Gary]

you may also need a new Freehub.
SRAM NX and SX cassettes are shimano HG patern. Same as shimano 10speed. GX and above are XD

 

[LowStandards]

Mine uses the HG freehub, the SX 12 speed uses it handily

 

[LowStandards]

Is it worth the extra pennies for the Saint deraileur and shifter?

 

[Gary]

Personally. I don't like the Saint shifter.
After a while the paddles always feel rough. And are noticeably more effort to push. You may prefer that though.
Performance wise Zee mechs are no difference to Saint. The Saint mech just uses more expensive materials and has more gold anodising. And "should" be more durable. But in reality that's not necessarily the case.
10speed shifting on a narrow range cassette is already way more precise than 12 on a wide ratio cassette.
Been running Zee mechs on many different bikes for well over 10 years. They last well.

 

[LowStandards]

Cheers Gary, i'll stick with the Zee




Do you not want to berate any part of my posts? It feels most odd to be on your good side. Go on

 

[Gary]

Just don't talk out your arse and I won't correct you. But if you do don't cry when it's pointed out.

 

[LowStandards]

That's better!