Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

You might be able to get away with it in 1x. But cheap options are buy a grx 12 speed long cage derailleur, apparently the pull ratio is close enough to be compatible. Or put a xt m8000 cage on instead

I have a 812 mech and run 11-46 no problem

(cheapest) options?

Surely going 2x.

If you have a GRX 800 crankset all you'd need is 46/30 chainrings and a FD (any shimano 11s would work). Assume levers are GRX, so should be already 2x, just need the cable. That way your lower gear would be 30x42, and don't have to change cassette.

What are you running up front?

Unfortunately my levers are 1x, so I'd have to buy a replacement left hand STI as well so it gets expensive

I've only run the 817 RD up to 42T but presume by using a Wolf Tooth Roadlink you could get up to 46T. I actually bought a 46T cassette to try this theory out.

Could you not stick a lower chainring on also?

I hadn’t considered the Roadlink option, will have a look.

Could you not stick a lower chainring on also?

That’s the plan. I want swap my 42t for a 38t as well as go from 11-42 for a 11-46

40t front. No road link

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/17267526/

Not sure if this goes in MTB or grav-grav. Think I will post it in both

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zKoGt8sSUA8

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Great. So now just need to work out if a 38t will work with the 11-46

Neither would have been my preference

Never trust a video of a man with bigger elbows than biceps.

Donate now to feed starving gravellers across the USA.

with your fitness if you cant get up things with 38x46 I'd just walk for a bit

Having just checked a calculator, I'm actually tempted to just grab a Wolftooth 36t for the front and keep my 11-42 cassette. Buying both a new 38t and the 11-46 only gives me one extra gear inch, which doesn't seem worth it, right? Or am I missing something?

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38x46

I've come to think this is the magic ratio for 1x bikes that aren't mtbs. I use it from loaded touring to 'gravel rides', and they're isn't much I can't get up on a heavy old AWOL, otherwise I'd just he pushing anything too steep anyway.

in proper mountains off road even with 32x50 I walked redacted% of the time

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25 GI as your lowest gear? Should be fine. Cheapest route too.

This was painful to watch

in proper mountains off road

Shit Gravel Grinders say >>>>>

Those look rather plush gravel fire roads

they were but fucking steep

Tempted to buy a Topstone...distressed by how ugly the curved rear section is this...why are they like this

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Clearance for the rear brake caliper.

Friction on the FD?

This is the way.

The 1x derailleur doesn't have the geometry to work very well 2x, don't do that. 38x46 is good enough for bikepacking, very long climbs there. Don't use road links if possible, they push the derailleur too far out.
You can do 42x46, but you'll be wishing for lower after 1 ride.