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Updated Gear Ratios: Comparing SRAM and Shimano’s 1x Drivetrains with XTR M9000

41 Comments
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Shimano XTR m9000 11 speed 1x 2x  3x (19)

Not too long ago, Switchback Bikes posted an excellent gear ratio comparison chart that was put together by Daryl Smith. Obviously, when Daryl put the chart together the new option packed XTR M9000 group was still under wraps, so the comparison to its 11-40 wide range cassette couldn’t be made. To keep with the times Daryl has updated his chart to include the 1x options for an XTR group.

Crunch the numbers after the jump…

1x 10 speed 11 speed XX1 XTR gear ratio comparison chart

While the chart doesn’t include all of the options for the XTR double or triple, most people concerned will likely want to compare the XX1 to XTR numbers. Thanks to Daryl for putting this new chart together, you can check out his thoughts on the chart design here.

 

 

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41 Comments
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goslez
goslez
9 years ago

Now, factory’s must invented a rear cog of 44 for the new xtr…

James S
James S
9 years ago

I suppose it’s nice that someone did this, but is it really that hard to divide two numbers? You really don’t even need to look at all of them anyway, just compare the hardest and easiest gear ratios.

Antoine.B
Antoine.B
9 years ago

Can some explain to me for XX1 what 3.200 for 10/32 ring stands for ? What it measures ?
Thx

xctoine
xctoine
9 years ago

Hi guys, Could you explain how the gear ratio works ?

ChrisC
ChrisC
9 years ago

If people really don’t know:

The numbers show wheel revolutions per crank revolution. 32×10 with a gear ratio of 3.2 means that for each crank revolution, the rear wheel will make 3.2 revolutions.

Padrote
Padrote
9 years ago

here’s my version:
1×10 = hard
1×11 = less hard
2×10 = OK
3×10 = easy

Pedals
Pedals
9 years ago

what are gaers?

Peter Verdone
9 years ago

Why are you publishing meaningless charts?
I’ve already posted the proper charts on my blog.
http://www.peterverdone.com/?p=5714

mike
mike
9 years ago

the wheel size plays an important part in this. Personally I prefer a Gear Inch Chart instead.

pfs
pfs
9 years ago

I’m concerned that using excel in a very simple way has become news. Seriously. Ohh, and go ride your bike already.

groghunter
groghunter
9 years ago

basically shows what Shimano essentially said: They consider 1x to be the strict purview of elite riders that can handle a taller gearing, especially for the 29r crowd (due to not allowing a 28t front ring.) I would respectfully point to the growing surge of frames with no option for a front derailleur as evidence that their viewpoint is, to put it mildly, anachronistic.

SRAM thinks that 1x drivetrains are suitable for all but the most specialized MTB disciplines, and the groundswell of frame designers who are taking advantage of the freedom to design their suspension without having to make allowances for FD mounting agree.

chasejj
chasejj
9 years ago

I am running a RF Next SL crank with 1×10 using a 26T front ring and Wolf Tooth 42T on the rear. It is close enough to my previous low gear at 22×36. That I have no complaints. The high B tension sometimes makes for a slightly more noisy gear change though . But it works so well I even have my kids and wife’s bikes converted. They love the no front der which has always been a bad gear change due to the trouble shifting under load for beginners. Beginners never seem to grasp preshifting and reading terrain.
My XTR front shifter now is a remote for my ’14 Fox 36 Talas to toggle between 160 and 120mm of travel.

mark
mark
9 years ago

I am surprised how big of a difference the 10t cog makes on fast spinning. I have been running XX1 (I love it) but on some faster rides it is fairly easy to spin out. I know if I wanted to go XTR, I would need a 2×10 setup to descend as fast as I wanted and to still be able to climb at a fast pace. As for the 40t, I could probably manage, but the 42t has been wonderful for my riding style and has been plenty manageable for even the steepest climbs .
For this reason XX1 suits my needs much better, that way I have a much bigger ratio top and bottom for descents and climbing, without having weight, clutter and frustration of a FD.

didi
didi
9 years ago

Useful chart, even if anybody can do it very easily. It does demonstrate how stupid the SRAM 1042 looks now that 1140 (and 1142) cassettes are on the market. A single 1140 (or 1142) looses at most three quarter of a gear. A dual has a range and flexibility that a single can never approach. Think 24-40 front for HUGE RANGE, or 26-38 for a closer set up, still much rangier than 1042.

All this and you do not need to shell out the money to buy the SRAM non-standard hub that has no resale value!

mike
mike
9 years ago

Sorry Pete, can you explain why these are meaningless? they look like a fairly meaningful comparison to me.

Padrote
Padrote
9 years ago

yeah thanks Peter, now we can see in graph form that a 32 is slightly harder than a 30

EpicThroatBeard
EpicThroatBeard
9 years ago

didi, what is this “non-standard hub” you speak of. perhaps you are referring to the driver body SRAM dared to change. driver bodies are not hubs.

Dave
Dave
9 years ago

To everyone criticizing PVD’s charts… Pictures win over numbers, especially pictures that clearly express the comparisons between numbers. Those of us with short attention spans and questionable literacy really appreciate well designed charts.

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

groghunter what do you mean “29er crowd not being able to run a 28t cog”? I have an Enduro 29 and am currently running a 30t narrow-wide ring up front and a 10spd cassette with a 42t cog. Everything works great.
I don’t want to convert to SRAM and this cassette will allow me to do that. The catch is that if I want to run a 28t ring up front I’ll need to buy cranks that support direct-mount like RaceFace Next SLs.

Acmi
Acmi
9 years ago

I can’t understand all this hate for front derailleurs. A properly tuned Shimano FD shifts flawlessly if used properly. Mountain bikers in the millions have different needs. 3×10 is still the most sought after setup in my area. Lot’s of riders use their mtb’s for everything – trail riding, bike commutes, long road rides etc. The FD hate is a first world problem. Being an Asian company they understand they have a much bigger market than the “hardcore” guys. Thanks Shimano for giving us more gearing options.

aaron
aaron
9 years ago

not all, but the majority of 1xsetups could not ride at least 25% of sections that my buds and i ride. Unless you are a single speed elite rider, give up bro. 1×10/11 is simpler which i am all for, but if you’re unable to ride/hang at least a hand full of sections, whats the point?

MaLóL
MaLóL
9 years ago

I’ve been mixing sram with shimano drivetrain parts for 20 years now, so I don’t get who cares bout this. Sponsored riders can’t choose and can’t mix. For the rest of the world who pays for their components, you can install a xx1 rear cassette and rear wheel in a xtr 2015 bike. If you don’t wanna upgrade your freewheel, go for shimano xtr 2015 cassette, in a shimano bike or in a sram bike. choose the best of each, do not choose a whole drivetrain brand; you don’t have to.

Jeb
Jeb
9 years ago

Shimano is losing touch with the MTB market. Look around, the average mountain biker is a lot different than they were 20 years ago. 10 minutes at any trail head and you’ll see it’s fat guys with 30lb camelbaks that ride for 45 minutes at a time, that’s why 1x stuff sells. That and good marketing and magazine/web PR. Sure, a lot of fast racers use it but YOU are not them.

Gazoo
Gazoo
9 years ago

1×1 all you need.

TJ
TJ
9 years ago

I would seriously doubt that anyone will be able to successfully mix Shimano and SRAM’s 11 speed chains and cassettes. The cassette spacing for SRAM’s XX1 and XO1 is pretty close to 10 speed mtn spacing, which is why you can get away with using a 10 speed chain. The XTR 11 speed cassette will work on a pre-existing 10 speed free hub which means they’ve crammed 11 cogs into about the same space as a 10 speed cassette. So the Shimano 11 speed chain would be much narrower than the SRAM 11 speed chain. The days of cross compatibility are ending.

Jett
Jett
9 years ago

come on people, shut up and ride bikes. I run 9 speed stuff, and am faster than you!

chasejj
chasejj
9 years ago

Jeb…….kinda nailed it. Though my 26×42 1X works just fine for those 3hr rides on the weekends.

Jr
Jr
9 years ago

Stop complaining and go ride your bikes!

Chris
Chris
9 years ago

Because, Peter Verdone, people read this blog.

AAROWN
AAROWN
9 years ago

SINGLE SPEED FTW. KEEP ARGUING ABOUT YOUR STOOPID GEARS.

Jeb
Jeb
9 years ago

Nobody cares that you ride a singlespeed….still. Trust me. http://tinyurl.com/mobys48

Oracio
Oracio
9 years ago

TJ- No, XTR 11-speed has a different spacing their road 11-speed. This is because of instead of squeezing 11 cogs into the regular HG10 freehub, the 40T cog is actually cantilevered to the left of the freehub, above the spokes.
Therefore XX1 and XTR9000 cross compatiblity is a very real possibility, and I really hope it works. This would mean you could run XX1 group and still use all your old Shimano freehub wheels!

Johan
9 years ago

Oi!, for those above not yet up to SPEED.
1x gives less chain wear, less chainsuck, less weight, less dirt collection, less hassle.
The 10 tooth gear makes a big dif to the ratios, very useful.
So, the 11-40 Shimano is really not close to the 10-42 SRAM, for a 1x setup. They would need at least a 44 to offset the larger front chainring needed for higher speeds.
The problem on the 10-42 cassette is the small amount of thread holding the cassette on the freewheel body, it needs copper slip and regular maintenance otherwise it squeaks and binds up. Otherwise a fantastic and very longlasting cassette.

Mindless
Mindless
9 years ago

1×10 Shimano is perfectly enough even with 11-36. Claiming that 10t cog makes a critical difference is beyond silly. It does not. Either you can deal with it, or just get 2×10 (or 2×11), there is absolutely nothing wrong with a front derailleur whatsoever. It works perfectly fine, and those who disagree probably need assistance to pull their pants on in the morning.

And because of the stupid design choices with XX1 compatible freewheel SRAM will never be able to sell economical cassettes for them.

Argh
Argh
9 years ago

I am using “xtr shifting setup with xtr cass.” and XX1 chainring/crank. Works like a boss 🙂

dez
dez
9 years ago

i am running a 10spd 11-40 using hope t-rex on my 29er.
i use up front a 26t slx granny ring with a inspired trials bash ring and a bb mounted mrp top chain guide cut to shape to fit just over the 26t granny
this setup has proven to be faultless over the past months riding

mateo
mateo
9 years ago

The people claiming 10T vs 11T is meaningless… you’re not very good at math.

10T is 9% lower than 11T. About the same as a 38T vs 42T.

SRAM 10-42 – 420% range
Homemade 11-42 – 382% range
Shimano 11-40 – 364% range

Whether you want/need/care about the extra range is another story, but the 10T certainly makes a difference.

groghunter
groghunter
9 years ago

@Alex: Because of the way gearing is affected by the larger wheel size, you generally need one size smaller chainring in the front for a given rider. there’s plenty of riders who need to spin a 30t on 26″ wheels, who will need a 28t on a 29r. If they want XTR, that means not using an XTR crank, or going 2×11. in fact, because of the XTR cassette, they would actually need a 26t because of the largest rear cog only being a 40t. That’s going to spin out so fast that you’re fairly compelled to run 2x.

Padrote
Padrote
9 years ago

golly those percentage numbers sure do imply a huge difference in going 25mph on pavement or whatever

Ham-planet
Ham-planet
9 years ago

@mike
Gear inches were developed for comparing safety bicycles to ordinaries. They are an anachronism in all other applications.

Jeff
Jeff
9 years ago

I thought the small gears on the cassette were the first gears to wear out in a drivetrain? Why would you want to buy a super expensive cassette that will wear out faster when you can go 2×10 and get more range while paying half as much? I don’t get it. I know my Sram front derailleurs all suck but Shimano is fairly quick to shift.

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