[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

I get what you’re saying, but a 48/11 puts you at about 50km/h at 90 rpm, 55 km/h at 100rpm. If you are able to routinely spin out with that, then you probably want a full on road bike anyway. For most people that isn’t an issue.

My high end road bike I went with a 50/34 chainring, and an 11-34 cassette. If I’m on a flat course there are times that a bigger chainring would be useful (mostly for higher efficiency running in the middle of the cassette), but at least as often I am thankful to have bottom end gearing living west of Calgary and doing loads of climbing.

So I respectfully disagree that a regular gravel drivetrain would be limiting for most people. Maybe my judgement is coloured by the type of terrain I ride.

Now want to debate 1X versus 2X?
That one I think is very debatable, but so far I’m still 2X when I’m not on the mountain bike.

I agree with you. I have a road bike and I run a 48x34 (after starting with a 50) with a 12-29 rear cassette. I have more than enough gearing with the 48.