I'm buying a mountain bike from a company that lets you choose the drivetrain. I am having trouble deciding whether to go for a 1 x 10 speed Deore option (11-42) or a 1 x 12 speed SLX (recently released) (10-51) or GX Eagle Sram (10-50) option. My budget could stretch to the more expensive 12 speed options. But is it worth it? Can't seem to find a definitive answer and cut through all the marketing. What are the pros and and cons of 10 speed vs 12 speed drivetrain on mountain bike?
Some obvious benefits of the 12 speed:
- Range
Negatives (correct me if I'm wrong):
- Less distance between shifts?
- Alignment very important for smooth shifting.
- More expensive.
- Quicker to wear out?
Previous drivetrains I have tried:
- Traditional mtb 9 speed with triple front ring
- 1 x 10 and 44 tooth front chainring on my commuter bike
- 2 x ? on my road bike
- GX 11 speed when I demoed the mtb I'm looking at
- singlespeed huret flip flop
- 8 speed XTR.
- fixed gear
- mountain bike fixed gear
- 7 speed SIS
- 7 speed gripshit
- Sturmey Archer 3 speed Chopper