Polaris OBark

This is a PSA brought to you by SRAM (the folks who can't make front derailleurs).

RumbaAsul

And your point is? caller?

indyfabz

Many years ago I read an article in Adventure Cyclist about 1x drivetrains. Quoted in the article was someone from SRAM talking about how bad 3x was for touring, mostly because the middle ring was pretty much useless. I remember thinking “All this time, including a 6,000 mile trip in the US, I have been doing it wrong.”

Polaris OBark

I feel like Tom Lehrer when Henry Kissinger got the Nobel Peace Prize.

79pmooney

Yeah, they become useless because the teeth wear off, they get used so much. Or have I just been riding wrong the past 50 years?

Yan 

It's not the middle ring on a 3x touring bike that's useless.

The useless one is the large ring.

seypat

Someone's attempting a side hustle collecting tolls under a bridge.

Also, don't 1X setups have a front chainring?

Garthr

Oh heck, who needs chainrings, just sit and spin while riding SRAM's new grouppo, "Levitator".

BlazingPedals

Who cares how many chainrings you have, as long as you fill your tires with nitrogen and use the right chain lube.

Rick

I ran half step triples for many years. If I wasn't riding a Rohloff equipped bicycle, I would still be riding with three chain rings up front.

CrimsonEclipse

UGH!
Not JUST nitrogen, extra purified ORGANIC nitrogen...

(and used motor oil for chain lube)

SoSmellyAir

Yes, but presumably a 1x chainring is usually covered by a chain and thus does not go stabby stabby?

indyfabz

That’s why you need a 0X.

indyfabz

Depends. I once sustained 32.5 mph for several miles while riding the flat High Line in Montana with a killer tailwind. Only had a 44 up front. Wished I had more because my legs were going like a sewing machine. Finally had to dial it back to 28.5 mph.

Just did a four-day trip in NJ last week. Spent most of the time in my 46.

Jughed

The big ring on my 3x did stab me last week, blood and everything - so they have a point.

And I do think 3x is useless on a road bike, as is 1x.

seypat

Might as well make 1X vs 2X vs 3X the newest best chain lube/wax, disc vs rim brake, electronic/mechanical threads. What's old is new again.

Now the question is: What font should the chainring be ground in to give the desired tattoo when it stabs you?

seypat

Don't forget that Lionel Ritchie was a big fan of 3X. To paraphrase him:

"You once, twice, 3X.........and I love you."

I think they gave him the ability to ride onto the ceiling and dance.

110/74 FTW!

MilhouseJ

Wait what? Why stop at a 3x?

MarcusT

As long as we're talking about dangerous components. At 12 yrs old, my brake lever cut a deep gouge in my arm and 48 yrs later the scar is still visible.
Down with brake levers!!

indyfabz

I suggest operator error.

indyfabz

And meat slicers, also known as disc brakes.

Reynolds 

Beat me to it. A disc brake 3x bike is one of the most dangerous things to operate.

indyfabz

It gets worse if it's a crabon fibre frame.

Polaris OBark

You gone Euro on us?

Speedie95

Fixed.