1X vs 2X and 3X Drivetrains for Mountain Bikes Explained

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I’ve introduced a few people to the world of mountain biking over the last year or so and as you probably know, there is a lot to explain when it comes to bike features and mechanisms. One of the first and most important things that always comes up is the drivetrain. The drivetrain includes the derailleur, chain, shifters and gearing: also known as chainrings and cassette.
Most people coming into mountain biking have had some experience with a cheap department store bike like a low end Huffy, Mongoose or Schwinn. These bikes are almost always equipped with a 21 or 27 speed drivetrain system. And it’s almost like they use that higher number of speeds as a marketing technique. More speeds is better right? Well, the short answer is no. If you think about a car, most have either 5 or 6 gears in the transmission. And that will get them from 0 to over 100mph pretty efficiently. So why does a bike need 20+ gears? If you really were to use all of them you would be doing more shifting than anything.
So let’s outline the physical differences you will see between a 1x and a 2 or 3x
-the main difference with a 1x is the single chainring. So it is 1 gear in the front and 9 to 12 in the rear, typically.
-This means only one derailleur and one trigger shifter on the right hand side of the bars.
-Aside from looking better, you clear up some handlebar space, a cable, and shave some weight from not having a front derailleur.
-The 2x or 3x will have multiple chainrings(front gears) and a derailleur and shifter to switch between them. There are usually less gears in the rear on the cassette as a result. Typically anywhere from 6 to 10 depending on the configuration.
It may go without saying but the number of speeds is determined by the total number of possible gearing configurations. So 3 in the front and 7 in the rear is 21 speeds and not 10 because you multiply the two.
Over the last 4 or 5 years, 10,11 and 12 speed 1x drivetrains have become the standard in the mountain biking world. At least on mid to high end model bikes. Yet we are still seeing 3xs on pretty much every bike under the 500-800 dollar price point. Why is this?
You would think that less moving parts would be cheaper to manufacture and easier for a beginner to learn on. But since they are still a relatively new concept and made with a lot more precision to target the higher level riders, a 1x drivetrain will cost you quite a bit more money.
So, is it worth it to pay the extra money for it? In my opinion, yes. A thousand times yes and I personally wouldn’t buy a bike without a 1x.
So lets take a look at the advantages. First let me clarify that while you do have less gears, you typically have as much range, or more as a multi chain ring setup. This means that your gearing goes from a very low ‘granny gear’ which is great for climbing and low speed control, all the way up to a 10 or 11 tooth high gear that will let you go faster even when you’re already flying downhill.
The lack of extra components like the front derailleur, cable and shifter also eliminate possible mechanical failures which could leave you unable to ride or at the very least, frustrated with a bike that won’t shift properly.
The biggest and most important advantage in my opinion is only having one shifter. This means that you always know that if you want to go faster, you shift up and slower, shift down. With multiple chainrings, the gearing doesn’t work in a linear way like that. For example, which gear would be higher on a 3x? 6th gear in the rear and 2nd on the front or 2nd gear in the rear and 3rd on the front? You can eventually figure it out but the fact that you have to think about it or just try to feel it out as you are riding, is not a very intuitive mechanism. This creates even more difficulty for newer riders who likely can’t justify dropping 1-2 thousand dollars on a bike. Newer riders typically struggle with shifting to begin with. So to add a sloppy system to the equation is just not helping anyone.
For these reasons I believe we will start to see lower grade 1xs on entry level bikes in the next few years which will be a win for everyone. But for now, if you are just getting into mountain biking, I would highly recommend picking up a bike with a 1x drivetrain system. I have been able to find new and used bikes equipped with a 1x for around $600. Which is really the absolute minimum I think you can spend on a decent mountain bike if you are wanting to do any kind of riding on singletrack.
So what do you think? Was this video helpful? Let me know your thoughts or questions in the comments and be sure to like and subscribe!

[@bikebudha01]

3x is the best...

[@digitalreject3233]

My bikes are so old, like me, they all have 3x on the crank. I didn't even know 1x was the latest thing. Great information and explanation.

[@DirtTrampMTB]

Lol yeah it's what all the cool kids are doing now😁 but hey if you're used to 3x and they work well enough then nothing wrong with kicking it old school!

[@aaaaaa2206]

More gears ARE better IF you want a drive train that LASTS LONGER because this setup includes a thicker, more durable chain, more gears are used for the same duration of riding which means that the individual gears wear less and last longer. Say you're commuting on a mtb, you ride on bike paths, paved roads, gravel roads, single tracks. For this a 3x drive train is the best choice.

[@MLFranklin]

I like this a lot. I see lots of videos showing how to convert from a 3x to a 1x, but their logic was more like "hey, this is what the cool kids are doing and here's how to do it." If we're lucky they explain that we have fewer parts and save weight. But you added the additional facts of reliability and intuitive shifting. I converted because it was easy and my front chainrings and derailleur were already janked up and I love simplicity. BTW, great cinematography, editing, music, and noir film narration.

[@DirtTrampMTB]

Thank you so much glad you liked the video!

[@loicbrunich]

And in 2022 I'm rolling 3x12, 44-32-22 and 9-52, 1155% range, I think it's impossible to beat.

[@pravanw.5365]

what drive train is that?

[@loicbrunich]

@@pravanw.5365 Аt the front SHIMANO Altus, M371, 175мм, 44/32/22, front switch Shimano Alivio M3100, shifter Alivio, M3100-L 3speed, from behind CASSETTE 9-52 12speed KCNC, rear derailleur Deore M6100 12speed, shifter Deore M6100-R 12speed, chain Shimano Deore, M6100, 12speed, 126 links. The length of the chain was adjusted by the front small sprocket.

[@pravanw.5365]

@@loicbrunich God damn. Whats the fastest you can go with this bike on a flat? And what frame do you use

[@loicbrunich]

@@pravanw.5365 I do not strive to go fast, just amateur pleasure riding, I accelerated down to 60 km / h, and on the 22-52 gear into any mountain without effort, you can even tip over through the rear wheel. I have gt force 2015 carbon.

[@Rapha.O]

Hello friend i have the same idea but i m little bit nervous to do that. so can you help me with that. Can i contact you pls

[@florinstandoff290]

1x12 replace the chain every year. 3x7/8 replace chain every 10 years. Less cost for 3x7/8 so they are more reliable.

[@sebastian-FX357Z1]

Due to alignment issues 1X cause wear faster, in the long run will definitely cost more.

[@stevestanley6807]

you didnt mention the fact that 1x on the crank is usually smaller so it makes it easier to jump trees and rocks. I had a higher end bike that had a 3x on the crank and had to replace it 3 times from it getting smashed on rocks..

[@katkatCSI]

Thank you for the information provided. In addition, I would like to thank you for speaking like a normal person!

[@elmerreyes8985]

3x9 for me. I know how to use the complicated system and it fits my riding style. 1x is more simple but really expensive. Really depends on the riding style of the rider. Lol.

[@DIL55551]

2 x 9. Best of both worlds.. looks neater than the 3 x and less prone to chain slipping. Also better than the 1 x as you can quick shift if you going up and down hills instead of going through all the gears one by one.

[@joefoster259]

What chain rings and cassettes have you used like this. On which wheel sizes? I’m kinda second guessing a 1x setup. Can’t believe I’d ever think shifting in the front is complicated. (But after weeks of only riding a 1x it kinda was)

[@Rocky7181]

Needed this !!! Your great

[@DirtTrampMTB]

Thank you happy it helped!

[@mikeczarny4015]

Excellent, simple explanation. Thank you.

[@Mark-be8yk]

3x still dbest

[@VinOnline]

Oh hell yeah, thank you so much for making this video!

[@Dragonblader262]

thank you bro. This really helped me.

[@SSchithFoo]

1x has the disadvantage of rear cassette cogs and chain wearing out faster due to not being aligned straight with front cog all the time. Also, Shifting takes longer from a lower to a higher gear. You also probably need to maintain a higher cadence to go faster.

[@DirtTrampMTB]

True, and I think those factors may be some of why a lot of people are going to 1x9 drivetrains like the Box Nine. They maintain the same range without having so many gears. I am starting to find my 1x12 is excessive as I am usually shifting 2 or more gears at a time.

[@romanbeletsky6988]

Riding a 2008 Gary Fisher hi-fi carbon with 3x setup. On 1x setup chain is thinner to fit 11 or 12 speed cassette thus less durable. Besides if you shift gears from 1 to 12 with a single chainring in front, the chain bents more then on 3x9 drivetrain. On 3x9 I can drop or gain 9 speed in a click of a button using front derailleur. You can’t do it with 1x setup. Both have pros and cons. But I like 3x more.

[@diegovillacrez8349]

Appreciate the video and agree that beginners are probably better off on 1x. Still love my 2x10 tho.

[@DirtTrampMTB]

Thanks for the comment! Yeah most 2x10s are much better quality than a 3x and have a range advantage for cross country riding. Too many gears for me though, I'm even considering going to a Box 1x9 when my 1x12 craps out.

[@mikeclohesy9116]

Thanks for the info .Im pretty new to mtb and my first bike i bought was a HARO DOUBLE PEEK HARD TAIL 29 er 24 SPEED .If i wouldve watched this i might not have bought it .Thanks for the info again now i know better for next purchase

[@mikeclohesy9116]

P.s. love ur vids so far . From Wisc

[@DirtTrampMTB]

Thanks for checking out the video! Looks like a decent bike otherwise but as you progress you will want to upgrade! The good thing is bikes hold their value pretty well over the first couple years so you can probably get most of your investment back and use that to get a higher grade bike. But for now just focus on riding the hell out of it! Cheers!

[@deemondskits7477]

Just upgrade the crankset to 1x and add a bigger cassette

[@matthewboyd4638]

So what's the conclusion on a budget crank set, the Eagle NX you had on the list there? Looking to convert my 2014 Santa Cruz Blur.

[@DirtTrampMTB]

The NX would be a good option. I have a Deore on my DJ and it seems pretty robust too, only problem with them is the finish seems to rub off easily. Race face has some good cheap ones too. Honestly as long as you go brand name you probably won't notice too much difference on the crankset from one to another!

[@Sylvia.Cemetery]

Fascinating!!!!😲❤

[@sal26]

Like others have said, it depends on what type of riding you're doing. I've converted old MTBs to 1x7 with a one piece crank. works fine for casual riding around town or trail and looks a lot cleaner with less parts to maintain.

[@lawrencesally6189]

I have a 3x9 and I love it!!! I ridden a 1x12 and did not like well into the ride. Not my cup of tea!!!

[@xXBocephusXx]

Great video man, very helpful! Thanks

[@DirtTrampMTB]

Thank you, glad it was helpful!

[@stephenrasmussen8160]

You're not going anywhere fast XC with that puny front chain ring. The bike is basically useless unless you're going uphill, or coasting downhill. Not exactly what biking is supposed to be about.

[@patthewoodboy]

do you have the physical power , thats all that matters

[@Andrew-cu9lf]

Very helpful video, thanks!

[@DirtTrampMTB]

Thank you!

[@rickkeller105]

Great job!

[@DirtTrampMTB]

Thanks so much!

[@charliemtbaustralia5308]

Not having much luck with drivetrains, I’ve had my enduro bike for 3 days and the derailer already snapped off. I have a photo of it in the end of my recent video, literally got chain oil all over the frame

[@DirtTrampMTB]

That's awful! What drivetrain do you have on there?

[@DirtTrampMTB]

Just checked it out but the end screen videos block the shot of the derailleur. Sick content though I love riding urban MTB as well!

[@charliemtbaustralia5308]

Dirt Tramp MTB sram sx so pretty much the one that comes with most built bikes thinking of upgrading to the nx I think it was

[@charliemtbaustralia5308]

Dirt Tramp MTB thanks man. yeh, it’s sometimes even more fun then trails

[@DirtTrampMTB]

@@charliemtbaustralia5308 Just go GX if you're gonna upgrade. Well worth it!

[@pedrodkuhn]

3x9 is for people with brain 😎 No one can beat 3x9 in all terrain conditions , performance and durability 💪 Is the best off all worlds 🤜 I have Truvativ FireX crank (q factor 150mm) 44-32-22 🤤with k7 11-34 SRAM X9 package 🥱

[@moxemelob]

The duckling syndrome prevails. Ironic that people always think that its their purchase, which is always the best and there was nothing ever better. You don't have the comparative knowledge. You are just defending a purchase of an obsolete drivetrain

[@qwerty6789x]

@@moxemelob why is that? defnitely a 3X can still somehow catches with A Road bike talk about how being ignorant besides its matter of preference.

[@bikdav]

I need some serious low gears. That’s why I like the idea of a 2x. 3x was helpful in its days, but also more prone to problems.

[@myfrequencies1912]

"6 in the rear & 2nd on the front or 2nd in the rear & 3rd on the front, which is higher?" That is a tough one.... I'd have to look up the ratios & do a sum, or try it out on my bike (I have a 3x10 system). Thing is, if you respect the chain line (small chain ring - large cassette cogs / large chain ring - small cassette cogs) you'll never be in 2nd in the rear & 3rd on the front! lol The way I look at it, change at the front for block shifting (you've just moved from tarmac to rough trail or vice versa, or you've just hit a steep climb or descent), or change at the back for small increments, matching cadence to road speed. It's not intuitive, at all, as you pointed out, but once you get it it makes all the sense in the world. It's like the difference between the guitarist who thrives on power chord punk music, & the guy who gets off playing classical scales. There's no one correct answer & the best thing to do is watch as many videos like this as possible & try to figure out what set up matches your chosen application before you buy. I reckon the current 1x trend is going to mis-serve just as many uneducated new bike buyers as the old 3x trend.

[@raviparekh027]

One thing I definitely tell for top gear for speed 1x12 is slower than 3x10 bcoz front cog in 3x is larger than 1x, if you drive in top gear in 3x RPM of crank will be less but speed will be higher than 1x. I have tested it

[@dominikbator8585]

3×8 is just the best.

[@sunk777]

nah too slow, is either, 3x9,2x10 or 1x10.

[@dominikbator8585]

@@sunk777 These are also great but te chain is thinner on the 9 or 10 speed. The 8 speed ichain is 7.1mm thick and the 9 speed is 6.3mm I don't know the 10 speed chains thickness but it's even thinner.

[@Youshisu]

@@sunk777 but 3x is bullet proof :D, yes much thicker, cause cassette can be smaller and does not require such packing, so ye it will last way longer

[@AlexGames95]

Not really. I ride that 3x8, and sometimes climbing can get hard. A 1x11 or even 1x12 can be a lot superior.

[@Youshisu]

@@AlexGames95 but descending is clicking ? :D i think

[@Thebirdemoji]

I have a 2 by 8 drive train and it does pretty good but a 1 by 10 or 11 would be better also I've heard about a 2 by 11 I kind of want something like that cause low gears are kind of my thing. Also I climb a lot.

[@TK-OK]

Learned a helluva lot in 4 minutes thanks. All great points but especially the confusing aspect of what ring to use and marketing of more gears vs cost. Seems a 1x with a 9 speed would cost less. 👍

[@DirtTrampMTB]

Box 9 makes some 1x9 setups with the same or similar range as the Sram 12 speed. If I needed a new drivetrain that would definitely be what I would go with. They are a lot cheaper too but seem to get great reviews.

[@TK-OK]

@@DirtTrampMTB exactly !!

[@abhishekhundalekar4312]

I am planning to buy mtb (giant talon 0) which has 1x drivetrain. But I am confused coz 3x drivetrain has more gears. So will 1x be slow compared to it

[@DirtTrampMTB]

Not necessarily, more gears just means more shifting and doesn't affect range or top speed!

[@abhishekhundalekar4312]

@@DirtTrampMTB thanks bro

[@abhishekhundalekar4312]

I had one more question. This week I am buying giant talon 1 and I was thinking it to upgrade it's crankset from 1x to 3x. Should I do it or will doing it degrade it's performance

[@abhishekhundalekar4312]

By the way I searched on many channels and website buy getting confused coz they all are only giving specifications and components but not explaining briefly on technicalities of gears.

[@abhishekhundalekar4312]

Or can we just replace the crankset of talon 1 with other 1x crank with large diameter as it will increase speed.What do you suggest

[@treydrier3169]

Yes this video is helpful. I just bought a hybrid Trek and its a 3x drivetrain. Oh well, too late.

[@Brandonbikes]

well said, thanks

[@tmayberry7559]

Yes it will let you go faster UNTIL your speed tops out

[@sweatcap7871]

I just bought a HARO flight line two 29 it got the 3x8. Is it possible to put the 1x set up on my bike.

[@DirtTrampMTB]

You can, yes. Will it be worth the price, maybe not?

[@sweatcap7871]

Yeah I've decided to stick with the 3x but mine makes noise when going up hill. I don't climb mountains because I'm a rookie but you give me a chrome diamond back from the 80"s and it's on.

[@TecraTube]

Good shit bro

[@superjsg7539]

3x is great at steep uphills

[@DirtTrampMTB]

The granny gear on the 1x12 always gets the job done! Hardly ever even have to go that low honestly.

[@superjsg7539]

@@DirtTrampMTB I have 11T-50T cogs, and im planning to convert my 3x into 1x 32T

[@DirtTrampMTB]

@@superjsg7539 My last hardtail was 1x36 and I was able to keep up with everyone else on climbs. May not be as easy but I don't mind building some extra muscle!

[@Drunken_Hamster]

Why not do the opposite? A 4-5 chainring set and single in the rear.

[@irgendwer3610]

they would have to make a thinner crankset, which i guess they don't want to because of manufacturing costs

[@RussellCambell]

I just use the front derailleur to get the extreme high and low gears after i max out the middle cainring either way. So in my mind a 3x7 is a 9 speed

[@dongilatorlv]

i did found under 500 euro in my country hardtail with 1x10 u can find with 1 by but its much harder to find actual because its rare(i own one undere 500 euro with 1 by sistem)

[@irgendwer3610]

3x7 touring on a budget 2x9+ road or gravel 2x9+ ou 1x10+ MTB

[@tmayberry7559]

You mean 7 to 12 in the back for 1 X there's nothing wrong with a 7. 8. 9 speed 2 X. Due to the fact with your speed increase from exponentially on 7 to incrimenally with 9 through 12 unless you're running an friction shifter on the right then you can dial in the gear quicker. Since you say less is better then all you need is a 1X 7

[@wildwolf6449]

Took me 1 descent of spinning in a 2X8 with inability to speed up at all to realize this video is incomplete and barely touches on going downhill.

[@lvjuventus]

So why then are all road bicycles, even the very expensive one...stupid expensive ones, always 2x or 3x?

[@pravanw.5365]

@@levelup843 whats your mtb?

[@toppsguy]

I'm going to make a 10 x 12

[@DirtTrampMTB]

Lmao please make a video!

[@petkoterzievbackupchannel]

Lol so bias. Ridiculous video.

[@dgspark]

3x stomps 1x

[@jhonsmith2150]

I jus got back into biking 🚲 again sents COVID-19 hit! An now I'm getn my GF excited an into mountain biking! We bin lookn an guna pull a the trigger this week, an get her a 3x7x but it does have a 3pnt suspension system an disk 💿 breaks! 👏👌😎

[@Renee1207]

Thank you!

[@DirtTrampMTB]

You're welcome!