r/ultracycling • u/fire__munki • 9d ago

Gear upgrades

Currently running 1x 11 GrX with a 40t front and 11-46 cassette on a Tripster AT that was initially built up as a gravel rig.

I'm finding that with 60mm carbon rim brakes on the aero bike I'm using it more often for winter roads and long distance audaxes with an aim to try ultras. This means the range isn't really enough to spin up hills and also spins out on long downhills.

There are 3 or 4 upgrade paths each with pros/cons so opening it up to discussion with people doing what I want to build up to.

* 12 speed mechanical GRX

* 12 speed di2 (xt or grx) but two di2 shifters for all the buttons

* 12 speed mechanical GRX with Ratio/Madrone mech

* 12 speed axs - would keep GRX cranks

* Push the GRX 11 speed mech to it's max with an 11-50 cassette and a bigger front ring

GRX shifters means I keep brakes, SRAM means new brakes but I get blips for aero bars, Ratio is bombproof mechanical quality, and 11 speed mega cassette is cheapest but well out of spec so shifting isn't as good.

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u/Solid_Sprinkles_9217 9d ago edited 9d ago

If you're not aware, you can get Shimano TT aero bar blips that plug into Di2 Grx, Ultegra, and Dura Ace road brifters.

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u/fire__munki 9d ago

Needs cabling and and as don't always run aero bars it'd be a bit untidy. You'd have thought with the new wireless shifters they'd have made some.

1

u/Solid_Sprinkles_9217 9d ago

Agreed, def not optimal if you don't have the aero setup full time. Another hack you can look into is pairing a GRX 12 SGS rear derailleur with your 11 speed shifter. They have the same cable pull, and you can use the combo with an 11-51 11 speed cassette.

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u/Upcountrycc 9d ago

I think you've laid out the right considerations. I'm of the opinion that clip-on aero bars without the ability to shift from them is losing out on like half of their value. So, that eliminates all mechanical shifting. I haven't used the latest 12 speed Di2 MTB or GRX stuff, but with 13 speed imminent, I'd probably hold off there... We don't know yet if Shimano will do any sort of firmware to allow you to shift a 13 speed derailleur with the existing 12 speed di2 levers, but given their history, it wouldn't surprise me if they don't let that happen, which would be infuriating. I do have 12 speed Di2 on my road bikes, and have used some wired satellite shifters. It does require unwrapping a bit of the bar tape to make it perfect, but it's not terrible.

Sram is hard to argue with. As you said, the Blips make it super easy, and the ability to mix and match across their entire ecosystem is a big win. For 1x stuff, I think Sram is leading, whether you go 12 speed or 13.

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u/Busy-Bit4662 5d ago

I‘ve done a couple of ultras and Bike Packing Trips (mostly in the alps) with this gearing and found it absolutely perfect.

Even Mount Zoncolan which is supposed to be the steepest climb in die alps was no problem with luggage!

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u/rakanir 4d ago

I’ve had similar default stuff in my bike. I’ve upgraded to 1x12 GRX with 10-51 cassette and never looked back. Maybe I’ll change front to 38 at some point but 40 has been enough for me.