After two and a half years successfully running my Thorn Audax Mk3 with an Alfine 8 set up, I decided it was time for a change and have gone down the 1x11 route, with a twist.
Basically I wanted MTB low gearing for the hilly terrain around here and also to retain my drop bars.
Compatibility and cost issues between road and MTB components meant a bit of blue sky thinking was required.
I've gone for a Sunrace 11-46 cassette (£49) with a Shimano SLX M7000 derailleur (£42).
Road shifters ('brifters') were an option but even 2nd hand on ebay tend to be in the £80-£100 ballpark and then also need a Jtek Shiftmate (£30) or similar to work with the MTB derailleur.
MTB trigger shifter is only around £29, so the cost savings were significant going with them. Problem is they don't fit drop bars and I wanted to be able to shift gears from the hoods.
A bit of problem solving came up with the following solution which works well.
Shimano SLX M7000 i spec B shifter mounted vertically to a Decathlon seatpost clamp (made to fit with some lighting bracket rubber shims) around the bars as shown in the photos.
Fully enclosed cabling run from shifter to derailleur along top tube and down seatstay.
New brake levers are Tektro RL340, around £13 from ebay retailers.
Been out for three 30 mile rides now and the set up works well.
