this post was submitted on 11 Aug 2024
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Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking
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For all the pedal pushers out there that love long distance cycling. There are no gear requirements and no 'minimum distances' here.
Have you ridden for a cheeky overnighter or a 3 year global trek? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.
Have you got panniers, bikepacking bags or just a backpack with the essentials? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.
Have you got the latest in carbon engineering or your dads old 10 speed from the 70's? Doesn't matter, you're welcome here.
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I was thinking about this because i was looking at Shimano Cues. Looks like a pretty cool and wide range 2x11 setup with 40/26 (or 46/30) front and like a 11/45 cassette. That range would work for me.
I am not really looking to upgrade my drivetrain to have mor in between steps, but i would kinda dislike loosing the ones i am using right now, because i am using those all the time, although i might just not even notice, i don't know. I have still two chains to go through before i have to replace anything else on my drivetrain anyway. I was just wondering if, when 3x is basically gone, they may start selling it as the new shit again.
This right here. Fully agreed. For me, it's not about steps; it's about sheer range, especially for touring and mountain roads. I have a GT Grade with 2x10 + GoatLink and 11-42 cassette; 26-38 crank up front. It gives me a gear-inch range of 16.5" to ~100". But holy hell, it is so fiddly and sensitive. I have to tweak it about every 100 miles.
Shimano CUES is interesting in that Shimano seems to recognize what a mess they've made. With CUES, they are hopefully going to make groups that all just work within the line, instead of the compatibility quagmire it is now. Source: partner works in the LBS.
It's not going anywhere. Sure, the high end Shimano and SRAM groups mostly abandoned triples. But both of the Big Two still make mountain and road triple. Again, other niche manufacturers are stepping in to fill any remaining gaps. You might have to dig a little bit through QBP and very few production bikes come equipped by 3x. But it's very much available. If you want that NOS cred, Yellow Jersey (https://www.yellowjersey.org/) is a vintage dream, but 90s website warning.
Any decent bike technician has encyclopedic compatibility knowledge in their heads and can easily spec you out a modern 3x drivetrain in any shape you want. I bring some good beer to the shop where my partner works, ask the questions, and get the info dump. "Oh, sure. For that bike and target gear range, you want Muffler Bearings, double Blinker Fluid, and then hypernize with extra Elbow Grease." But actually meaningful info.
Yeah, i'm not too worried about finding parts yet. And a more fiddly setup is definitely a major turn off, good point!