The question is already old: are 1x drives suitable for the road racing bike? The answer the same: it depends. It depends on where the road bike is driven. And whether you want to limit yourself in terms of easier operation. It is clear that a 2x drive is certainly the most flexible solution – but the 1x concept is interesting now that the major manufacturers have switched to 12-speed cassettes.
1x for all.
Since the Giro d’Italia 2023, the discussion has been reignited. Primož Roglič wins the mountain time trial with an SRAM XPLR 1x drive. Later in the Tour de France, the SRAM Aero 1x chainring is used from time to time. Perhaps one reason: the modest performance of the SRAM front derailleur, yet there are also positive aspects of the 1x drive depending on the topography of the environment.
The Specialized Aethos 1x concept
The easiest way to the 1x system on the road bike or gravel bike is certainly always to build the entire group true to the brand. I had decided differently on the Specialized Aethos. Because of the BSA bottom bracket, my favourite option was a 24 mm crank. Since SRAM AXS should be the groupset, it had to be a Rotor crank then. Rotor already had 2x chainrings for the SRAM AXS Flattop chain in their portfolio, with a BCD 110 mm x 4 – the Shimano standard. For this BCD until recently no chainring in 1x design existed (1x with Narrow-Wide chainring teeth), only a variant of the Wolftooth 1x chainring would be suitable, but also not exactly built for the Flattop chain.
The Rotor 1x Universal Tooth Design chainring
In August 2023 Rotor has brought a 1x chainring on the market, which also allows the SRAM AXS Road Flattop chain with the new universal tooth design. And that is exactly what is now used. The first impression after about 500 km is really good, no problems and top performance. After only a few mountain trips are expected in the next few weeks, the choice was a ring with 42 teeth in combination with a 10-36er cassette. That’s enough for medium climbs and up to about 50 km / h it is also enough at the other end.
The ideal complement to the 1x chainring is the new chain catcher Lonewolf from Wolftooth. There are 3 sizes for different chainring sizes, and it is simply mounted on the derailleur mount. Overall, a safe, simple and efficient setup.
Add-On: C-Bear aluminium rear derailleur rolls
The question whether it needs an upgrade for rear derailleur wheels, you can perhaps answer a little easier: actually not. Even if you take the Marginal Gains philosophy very seriously, there are measures that seem more sensible than replacing the small plastic wheels. Nevertheless, a little bling now and then is fun and the sonorous metallic contact noise of the chain is worth the effort in any case. ☺️
