# How are riders justifying 1x setup for gravel/road? **URL:** \ **Category:** Equipment\ **Created:** [February 24, 2023, 9:18pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405 "2023-02-24T21:18:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![oldandfast](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/oldandfast/32/118550_2.png) [@oldandfast](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/oldandfast)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:18pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/1 "2023-02-24T21:18:30Z")
It seems that on the grounds of efficiency alone, one can’t possibly justify running a 1x drivetrain. This is specially critical for racing long events, which seems to be the gist of Gravel racing in the US. But even for non racers, efficiency is key in long rides. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/1/8/184a30a4682eef4dbe6f2a379de8200eba4ba7bc.jpeg) Is this data wrong?. How can ppl leave some so many watts on the table? How are the informed ppl in this esteemed forum making this decision? [Article: Friction differences between 1X and 2X drivetrains](https://www.velonews.com/gear/gear-issue-friction-differences-between-1x-and-2x-drivetrains/) ---
**Author:** ![Mikel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Mikel](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Mikel)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:24pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/2 "2023-02-24T21:24:53Z")
When was the last time you saw a gravel bike with a 53t chainring? ---
**Author:** ![Stevie\_Dee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/stevie_dee/32/162626_2.png) [@Stevie\_Dee](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Stevie_Dee)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:25pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/3 "2023-02-24T21:25:18Z")
Well, drop your chain at key points during a couple or events and get it jammed up causing you to have to spend multiple minutes - sometime 10 minutes or more to get it unjammed and you will not care about efficiency. Ask me how I know. ---
**Author:** ![FrankTuna](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/franktuna/32/135629_2.png) [@FrankTuna](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/FrankTuna)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:27pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/4 "2023-02-24T21:27:57Z")
Few off the top of my head… - Bigger tire clearance - No (fewer?) worries about dropped chains - One less component and battery to worry about ---
**Author:** ![wistoon33](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/wistoon33/32/79474_2.png) [@wistoon33](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/wistoon33)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:31pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/5 "2023-02-24T21:31:08Z")
I simply don’t care. It’s just easier altogether to deal with. ---
**Author:** ![oldandfast](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/oldandfast/32/118550_2.png) [@oldandfast](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/oldandfast)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:31pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/6 "2023-02-24T21:31:38Z")
> [@Mikel](#): > > When was the last time you saw a gravel bike with a 53t chainring? It’s the principle, from the data it follows that, for instance a 50-34 will still be more efficient. > [@Stevie\_Dee](#): > > drop your chain at key points during Good point. But isn’t this mostly mitigated with the GRX drivetrain? > [@FrankTuna](#): > > Bigger tire clearance I can see the case. There are at least 3 bikes I’m considering that take 45mm and 2x. But the reason that I’m asking is why aren’t there more? ---
**Author:** ![Stevie\_Dee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/stevie_dee/32/162626_2.png) [@Stevie\_Dee](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Stevie_Dee)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/7 "2023-02-24T21:34:04Z")
Shit, I don’t know - I’m running 105 on my Diverge 🤷 ---
**Author:** ![WindWarrior](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/windwarrior/32/84679_2.png) [@WindWarrior](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/WindWarrior)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/8 "2023-02-24T21:34:41Z")
Clearly your next gravel bike needs a triple chainring 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![FrankTuna](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/franktuna/32/135629_2.png) [@FrankTuna](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/FrankTuna)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/9 "2023-02-24T21:35:06Z")
> [@oldandfast](#): > > I can see the case. There are at least 3 bikes I’m considering that take 45mm and 2x. But the reason that I’m asking is why aren’t there more? GRX and Sram Wide both have a claimed limit of 700x45. Can’t find the GRX link at the moment, but there’s this from Sram. > **[What is the max rear tire width compatibility for Rival eTap AXS front...](https://support.sram.com/hc/en-us/articles/6068466801435-What-is-the-max-rear-tire-width-compatibility-for-Rival-eTap-AXS-front-derailleurs-)** > > Max rear tire clearance for the standard front derailleur, depending on frame design, is 42mm (measured width) for 700c tires. Bikes with tires wider than this using a standard road width chainline... It seems more frames are allowing tires beyond 700x45 so they opt for 1x. ---
**Author:** ![oldandfast](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/oldandfast/32/118550_2.png) [@oldandfast](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/oldandfast)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:37pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/10 "2023-02-24T21:37:39Z")
> [@FrankTuna](#): > > GRX and Sram Wide both have a claimed limit of 700x45. Can’t find the GRX link at the moment, but there’s this from Sram. It says 42mm. That sounds about right ---
**Author:** ![FrankTuna](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/franktuna/32/135629_2.png) [@FrankTuna](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/FrankTuna)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:38pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/11 "2023-02-24T21:38:31Z")
Yup…42mm for regular Rival/Force AXS and 45mm for wide with the 43/30 crankset. ---
**Author:** ![ChefAcB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/chefacb/32/144835_2.png) [@ChefAcB](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ChefAcB)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/12 "2023-02-24T21:44:59Z")
1x 36t: 10-42 cassette haven’t met any reason for more gears. I live in Florida but travel to Maine, Arizona and the Carolina’s every year. Lots of steep stuff there…. Maybe I’d need more gearing in Colorado, don’t know but it’s less of headache and less maintenance using a 1x. ---
**Author:** ![oldandfast](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/oldandfast/32/118550_2.png) [@oldandfast](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/oldandfast)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:46pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/13 "2023-02-24T21:46:03Z")
> [@ChefAcB](#): > > 1x 36t: 10-42 cassette haven’t met any reason for more gears. I can see high risk of spinning out at 36/10 ---
**Author:** ![Mikel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Mikel](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Mikel)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:47pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/14 "2023-02-24T21:47:39Z")
The difference ranges from nothing to 6 watts in a gear you almost never use versus a gear a gravel bike doesn’t even have. If you wanna worry about this let’s talk about people using wide ass handlebars and throwing away double digit amounts of watts? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Gumnut](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/gary_gumnut/32/7757_2.png) [@Gary\_Gumnut](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Gary_Gumnut)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:48pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/15 "2023-02-24T21:48:10Z")
Where I spend most of my time the frictional loss is only about 2.5w according to that graph. Having had both GRX 2x and now sram 1x, riding my 100km loop, I’m faster on the 1x.~average 30km/h. I race 2-3times/year, but have to clean my bike many many more, I can get the 1x cleaner much quicker. I will take 2.5w hit for that. Also I really swapping in the mullet setup-when required. If I was at the pointy end of winning a race regularly , I would take the 2x….but I’m not so 1x is better for me. ---
**Author:** ![TooManyDogs](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/toomanydogs/32/98121_2.png) [@TooManyDogs](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/TooManyDogs)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:49pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/16 "2023-02-24T21:49:06Z")
1x rival mechanical came on my bike. On my bike, lauf true grit, it’s a bit of a pain to switch unless I want to switch to electronic and then I’d lose some tire clearance in the back. If I was fighting for podium and that was important to me I suppose I’d give it more thought. ---
**Author:** ![Hariburgler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/hariburgler/32/85098_2.png) [@Hariburgler](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Hariburgler)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:51pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/17 "2023-02-24T21:51:57Z")
2x looks bad and I don’t want to think about shifting two different deraileurs 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![oldandfast](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/oldandfast/32/118550_2.png) [@oldandfast](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/oldandfast)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/18 "2023-02-24T21:52:18Z")
> [@Mikel](#): > > The difference ranges from nothing to 6 watts 6 watts for 6h is a lot > [@Mikel](#): > > let’s talk about people using wide ass handlebars and throwing away double digit amounts of watts? Yeah. That conversation is starting. ---
**Author:** ![oldandfast](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/oldandfast/32/118550_2.png) [@oldandfast](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/oldandfast)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/19 "2023-02-24T21:53:09Z")
> [@Gary\_Gumnut](#): > > I race 2-3times/year, but have to clean my bike many many more, I can get the 1x cleaner much quicker. I will take 2.5w hit for that. Good point. ---
**Author:** ![ChefAcB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/chefacb/32/144835_2.png) [@ChefAcB](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ChefAcB)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 9:54pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405/20 "2023-02-24T21:54:09Z")
Yes that does happen, I should probably run a 40t+ but haven’t yet. I can spin a pretty high cadence from my bmx years, but yea I need to change that soon. [Next page](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/how-are-riders-justifying-1x-setup-for-gravel-road/81405.md?page=2)