DRIVETRAINS

Two brands dominate the drivetrain market – Shimano and SRAM. Both offer an impressively wide range of MTB-specific options, from budget 10 and 11-speed set-ups to mega-money, electronically-shifting 12-speed systems. That’s assuming you want to run a single front chainring; both still make double, or even triple, drivetrains with close-range cassettes, like many of us started out riding back in the day, but for us, the advantages of a 1x set-up by far outweigh the disadvantages. Not only are they simpler to use with less to go wrong, but they’re generally lighter than their 2x or 3x equivalents and can nearly match the gear ratios, now that we have massive ‘dinnerplate’ cassette sprockets for easier climbing.

The huge rise in popularity of 1x drivetrains has sparked a technology race between the brands, and refinements once reserved for top-of-the-range drivetrains are now readily found on offerings lower down the scale. Tech such as narrow-wide chainrings that help reduce chain derailment, 52-tooth cassette sprockets for super-range gearing, and stepped teeth that allow shifts under power, all help improve the riding experience.

Both SRAM and Shimano went back to the drawing board in order to squeeze 12 gears and a 10-tooth smallest sprocket onto a standard-width rear hub. Once the dust had settled, each opted for a bespoke cassette freehub body. SRAM’s XD driver (used on GX Eagle and above) and Shimano’s Micro Spline design (needed for all of their 12-speed drivetrains) are both different to the old HG (Hyperglide) standard, so care needs to be taken to ensure compatibility between cassettes and hubs.

Other brands are now emerging with viable and top-performing alternatives to the two big players. Many don’t offer the full complement of drivetrain parts – a rear mech, shifter, chain, cassette and chainring – but can give recommendations for the third-party components that work best with the kit