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One of the really weird things with bikes is that entry level bikes tend to be 3x7 which means that you have a lot of extra weight and complexity (a second shif

One of the really weird things with bikes is that entry level bikes tend to be 3x7 which means that you have a lot of extra weight and complexity (a second shifter, shift cable, and front gears) for pretty much no benefit over a 1x9 system.

tomek_ycomb 2y ago
It's much easier to manage tension on 3x7 over 1x9
callalex 2y ago
Well, 21 is like 12 better than 9, you see… (it’s frustrating how well stuff like that works).
Moru 2y ago
The biggest reason we use 3x8 on all our bikes is because the spare parts are cheaper than all other ratios and we can switch around as we like between all bikes and can even keep some spare parts on the shelf for when the local stores are out. The first thing to go on my bike is the deraileur though, they keep a year or so even if taken care of. They can still be used a couple of years but the shifting isn't so exact as I would like it. The sport I do is very gear-shifting intense due to lots of stopping so I guess that eats away ant that poor thing. And I do buy the cheapest ones I can find for around 10-15 euro.
- schiffern 2y ago
  >The first thing to go on my bike is the deraileur though, they keep a year or so even if taken care of >I do buy the cheapest ones I can find for around 10-15 euro Related?
  - Moru 2y ago
    Ofcourse it is, I even said so :-) But my wife and kid has the same ones and they can go much longer since they don't stop/start so much as I do.
aziaziazi 2y ago
Customer benefit: Longevity. 3x7 chains and cassette last wayyy longer than 1x9 (and usually have a bigger ratio). 9s cassettes are not wider than 7s but instead each gears and spaces are narrower. The chain then need to be thinner resulting in faster elongation (=wearing). Single speed and 3s chains last 5000km easily while 12/13s won’t last much more than 1000km.
notnmeyer 2y ago
i’d wager this becomes increasingly less likely. everything that isn’t the cheapest is 1x or 2x these days. in some number of years, 3x parts will become less available and less common on cheap bikes.

tomek_ycomb 2y ago

It's much easier to manage tension on 3x7 over 1x9

callalex 2y ago

Well, 21 is like 12 better than 9, you see… (it’s frustrating how well stuff like that works).

Moru 2y ago

The biggest reason we use 3x8 on all our bikes is because the spare parts are cheaper than all other ratios and we can switch around as we like between all bikes and can even keep some spare parts on the shelf for when the local stores are out. The first thing to go on my bike is the deraileur though, they keep a year or so even if taken care of. They can still be used a couple of years but the shifting isn't so exact as I would like it. The sport I do is very gear-shifting intense due to lots of stopping so I guess that eats away ant that poor thing. And I do buy the cheapest ones I can find for around 10-15 euro.

schiffern 2y ago
>The first thing to go on my bike is the deraileur though, they keep a year or so even if taken care of >I do buy the cheapest ones I can find for around 10-15 euro Related?
- Moru 2y ago
  Ofcourse it is, I even said so :-) But my wife and kid has the same ones and they can go much longer since they don't stop/start so much as I do.

aziaziazi 2y ago

Customer benefit: Longevity. 3x7 chains and cassette last wayyy longer than 1x9 (and usually have a bigger ratio). 9s cassettes are not wider than 7s but instead each gears and spaces are narrower. The chain then need to be thinner resulting in faster elongation (=wearing). Single speed and 3s chains last 5000km easily while 12/13s won’t last much more than 1000km.

notnmeyer 2y ago

i’d wager this becomes increasingly less likely. everything that isn’t the cheapest is 1x or 2x these days. in some number of years, 3x parts will become less available and less common on cheap bikes.