Cycling UK Forum

Yes, as pointed out, there's no particular reason. It just gives me an opportunity to get my hands dirty and do some fun experiments on my second bike. Keeps me busy and out of troubles.

Hi, I'm finally in a position to buy a second road bike, which will be my main summer bike and the one I will use on the turbo trainer during the winter months.

This way, I can start doing some experiments on my first bike, which is an entry level gravel bike. Currently it has a Sora 2x setup; I would like to convert it to a 1x setup. Since I'll be using it just for leisure/fun and just in hilly and gravelly roads, speed won't be a concern. I also appreciate that only having 9 gears, there might be some big jumps (I'm okay with that).

What do I need to convert to 1x?

- New cassette (now I have a 11-32, was thinking 11-36 for the new one)
- New chainring (now I have a 48-32 and again was thinking about something smaller in between, so like a 40t or even a 38t to help me on the hills)
- do I need a new chain or just set the new length?
- derailleur extender? do I need one of those?

Anything else I'm forgetting?

Cheers