Yay a fellow rider that has no money and unknowingly triggers every single xc rider on the face of the Earth. Some people don't realize that we ride for fun not a Strava time.
it's not just for the fun, 34/34 it's going to give you 1m on the easier gear, compared to the 0.64 a 22/34 setup would give, it's around 35% loss on how easy your easier gear will get? So now climbing will be harder just for the looks. Looks never go over function, there is a reason why the lower the number of disks the crankset has, the higher the number of sprockets on the back, to keep the climbing ratio as similar as possible without loosing much speed on the plain.
Do what makes you happy bro, I did a similar thing to my city bike, I have a crap altus 8 speed drivetrain, i ditched my triple riveted together cranks up front, I now use a crankset with a 44t narrow wide. The bike is definitely more fun. I soon will upgrade the rest of my drivetrain to sram x9 for a more appropriate 1x10 setup.
I really like how honest this guy is. I’m a beginner and also find myself very interested and eager to learn more about fixing up mine and my kids bikes. And I’m also a cheap ass lol
@@scottiemanners Yeah, it's stock on a lot of bikes! It's stock on the bike I'm saving up for currently so I won't be buying it for my half broken bike I have right now. Vitus Sommet, can't wait to have that bike. My bike right now is a singlespeed cause my derailleur broke.. not buying new parts for it.
Lifehack: Use an air-pump and push air on the grips, on forget to cover the other side of the handle bar of course, it will inflate the grip a little bit allowing you to slide it in or out very easily.
I guess the bike's running a 8 speed Acera rear derailleur. Those things have almost no tension,so any bump with make the chain go off if not for the front derailleur.
I have a 3x8 hardtail but never touch the front shifter tbh. I always ride the middle chainring. Thanks for showing that the makeover is possible and actually not hard to do.
Did my 27 speed, just removed the smallest and largest chainrings and added a bash guard. Also removed the front derailleur and shifter. Works fine and super cheap.
@@Kayvoyager Because the psychological pressure of the marketing industry is to strong. And in this way you still get a psychological victory in not spending a lot more money on a 1×10/11/12 setup. But you knew that allready;-)
@@rogerlahaye1948 you are assuming a lot of things there bud. Lighten up ;) I did a 3X to 1X conversion on my old gravel bike hybrid by buying a cheap cassette and cheap chainring to maintain practical ratios. Got to ditch the FD, cable, and older worn-down steel chainrings for reduced complexity and weight savings while still having my previous top speed (at a slightly higher cadence) and climbing ability (at a slightly lower cadence). Hundreds of miles in and still going strong, 20 bucks well spent. That was my first "upgrade" on my bike in 5 years. So i guess the bike industry got super rich off me by spending that $20 after 5 years of just pure maintenance? Lol.
@@theking_023 I wanted to know the same thing. I just converted my Trek Marlin GF 29er to 1x8 and i went with a 32t chainring and its ok for moderate grades but as soon as i get to any real climbs im not able to make it far before i run out of steam. So i ordered a 30t (smallest size i can find for 104bcd cranks/chainrings) and i think thats going to help. In my very limited experience im thinking 32t up front would be fine for the average rider in a 1x8 setup with 27.5 wheels. If your bike is a 29er and your cassette is a 11-32 like mine though i would recommend starting at a 30t chainring (or 28t if your cranks work with them and you can find one). Ive had zero chain drops since the conversion, but id hate to "jinx" it lol. Im not using a chian guide either. I planned on getting one if i was dropping the chian but so far it looks like the narrow wide chainring is sufficient. And on top of that im not even using a 9 speed chain like some guys do when they convert to 1x8. I imagine if i was dropping the chain that might also help to try.
Recently converted a mint 2011 Trek Gary Fischer Marlin 29er into a 1x8 but i also swapped the crankset to hollowtech for even more weight savings. I bought the bike off a guy who literally bought it brand new rode it 2 times with his kids then hung it on the wall in the garage and that was that lol. I also swapped the pedals for some raceface clones, the bars to 180mm Satori Deviants and put on some locking grips. Did a complete tear down and service of the front coil fork which made a massive difference. I was going to swap the fork for an air fork but after servicing the coil fork im actually really happy with it. As long as i can keep the sticktion down by keeping it serviced I think it will last for a really long time. As for the 1x8 setup its very solid. I went with a 32T chainring up front but ive got a 30t chainring on the way i want to try. In the lower gears its a little stiff on climbs. My plan has always been to swap the cassette for a BiBike groupset 10 speed 11t-50t eventually. But for now that 32t chainring with the stock 8 speed 11t-32t cassette really just isnt ideal for climbs. If the wheels were 27.5 or smaller it would probably be ok but with the 29 inch wheels its just too hard on climbs even in the lowest 32t cassette gear. But once i have the 11-50 10 speed cassette id bet the 32t chianring will be perfect.
I remember being a kid and upgrading my Raleigh Rampar 500. I went to Bradley's department store which hasn't existed in a long time. They had a BMX section with bike parts. Not top of the line but good for a kid. I upgraded every single part of my bike and I took pride in it. Thank God there are still kids like this! Great video keep biking! I'm 46 I still hit the trails and bike more than I ever had. But I still do dumb s**t and wreck all the time. Scars are better than tattoos!
I just bought a used talon 3 that was already converted to 1x8 by the seller. Keeps it simple for me , hill climbing and trails I'm riding works perfect.
I did the same thing to a 3x9. Now it is a 1x10. So much simpler and cleaner. I was told not worthy since the bike is a bit old but I am glad I did it.
Hey there! How its this hack going so far??? Im trying to do something alike but turning my 3X8 into a 2X8 with a much larger cassette. Since i never use the larger disc anyways... How has it worked for you so far???
I own a Montague Paratrooper (folding) 26" mountain bike with 3 chainrings. The smallest ring can climb any steep grade, the middle ring is boringly neutral, and the best ring is unquestionably the biggest one. The lowest gear on this ring can climb very steep grades, and the highest gear is very fast in straight-line speed. So I decided to use this ring alone, and forget the rest, since it is definitely the most versatile. However, I see no logical reason to remove this whole setup just to save a measly few ounces, and it looks fine just the way it is. I only ride, I don't race.
Here are 3 tips (for slip-on grips): 1. When taking grips off, use an air compressor and put the nozzle under the lip of the grip. If no compressor is available, kinda semi roll the grip of the bar onto itself. 2. You can shove some zip ties under/in the grip to get it off. 3. To put grips on, spray alcohol/water onto the bars (it will dry), it make it much easier Or just use lock on grips! (My preference, they're more secure too)
I found jamming long zip ties right under the grips about 3 on each side and the grips slide right off. And hairspray to get them back on, let it dry before you use the bike. Now that's proper cheap-ass 👌
the Topeak Multi tool is awesome!! A little tip for taking off slip on grips: 1) slip a zip tie between or pull up on the inside of the grip where it meets the handlebar. 2) pour a few drips of isopropyl alcohol between the grip and handlebar. 3) as you twist the grip back and forth, the alcohol will work its way around the grip and make it much easier to slip off.
I've just recently converted from 3x9 to a 1x9. Have not upgraded my rear derailleur yet, do have a 11-40 cassette upgrade, previously a 11-34, new chain, derailleur hanger extender, and a 34 tooth n/w chainring. Lost a little gear range on both ends, but, I love it! Declutters the handlebars, drops a little weight and looks very cool and simple. Bbg bashwich bash guard, protects chain ring and works as a chain retainer also. Works well, looks cool, lighter weight, simpler, and cleaner. May upgrade to eagle nx in the near future. More low end, so increases gear range. Great vid. I appreciate your conversion. Follow up vid would be cool. I bet it works great and looks cool!
I did the same thing on my 3x7 set up freewheel on my cheap bike. It works fine as long as you get passed the noises coming from the rear non clutched mech. Eventually I upgraded to my 12 speed hard tail but it was a fun project and i enjoyed it. I also added a chain guide/tension-er to reduce noise and add chain retention.
tip for getting grips off put a 2mm allen key under the grip pour some rubbing alcohol under pull the key out and they will slide right off. RJ the bike guy is where I got it from. Its much easier.
Pro tip for getting the grips off if they aren't lock on: loosen the brake lever and use it to push the grip off. It exerts equal force on the surface of the grips and generally shoots it off without too much struggle. Same concept works for twist shifters. It has saved me a ton of time.
I converted to 1x last year. after a few months I converted back to 3x. for the kind of riding I do I need the extreme ends of the gear range. 1x seems like a compromise to save a bit of weight.
I think keeping a 3x is much more beneficial for extra gear range especially going up hills than saving some weight and having a more appealing look with a 1x
I enjoyed that ride! You got the job done! Sometimes you have to improvise. I upgraded an old mongoose bike by replacing the crappy rear spring shock with an (not too expensive, but ok) air shock. To get the bushings out of the old shock and into the new shock, I cobbled together a few sockets and a big c-clamp. Worked just fine and didnt cost anything. Enjoy your new bike!!!
shoot a 1 x 7 would work fine too(what I use), I think the only things that would matter is the size of the largest cog and the smallest cog on the cassette or freewheel, for climbing and speed.
I've got an old Gravity Liberty CXD from bikes direct that came with a 3x8 Claris groupset. The front derailleur is absolute garbage. It won't shift into the big ring at all. I've played with cable tension and the limit screws and nothing works. After watching this, I'm going to tear off the derailleur and the outer two chainrings. It'll give me a range of 30/32 to 30/11. Definitely limits top speed, but the climbing gear isn't terrible and not having to worry about grinding gears on front shifts will be a relief.
Nice video - Don't forget the front derrailleur, it will rattle like crazy if you keep it, especially if you don't have a clutch in the back. You could do from now on 1x10 really easy, $48 a Shimano Zee FR Derailleur(cheapest clutch system I believe), $21 a Shimano Zee Shifter and a cheap 11-36 cassette(prices at jensonusa - cheapest around) Zero chain drops, and I ride pretty hard on both of my bikes. That's what I did on my 29er Diamondback Overdrive and a Norco Shore 3 downhill. It is awesome !
A quick way to remove grips, if you have an air compressor just blow air into the grip and they slide right off, providing their not appoxied on, then it's a razor blade right down the length of the grip
Bought a 2x10 bike. Replaced the bb , went one by . New chain, and cassette 11x42 10 cog with a 34 tooth chain ring. Climbs ok but get off and hike a bike a lot in the steeps. Taking the hard tail out in Gallup today.
Outer BB Shimano cranks getting cheaper nowadays like Acera/Altus, though one reason I keep square taper because knee pain from the Q-factor but it's adjustable by changing either the cranks or the BB length unlike outer BB which is fixed.
Yes kinda like that. Pedal also has Q-factor with longer/shorter spindle and there's an adapter named 'knee saver' used mostly on road cranks, just google it.
2019 and still using square taper 3x8 haha. Planning on upgrading the bottom bracket to hollow tech 2 and getting a 32t single chainring, I'd recycle the old one but all the chainring are riveted instead of bolted together. I already get by fine with an 8 speed cassette but I'd like to upgrade that to 9 or 10sp depending on what fits, not trying to upgrade hubs or wheels.
Well, the cons are that I'm sort of restricted on the number of gears I can use without having to put extra strain on my chain. The other con is that you may want to get a single speed sprocket with longer teeth. This would help keep the chain from coming off during a rough ride. But other than that, it cost me nothing and I removed the front derailleur, gear shifter and extra sprockets.
If it works for you, then that shouldnt be a problem. In my setup, i converted from 3x but i didnt bother to remove the smallest chainring. The middle chainring is still stock (ramped) then just put the RD clutch in the on position then thats it. Instant 1x setup
Try oval chainring. also the fork on this bike is scary and the race face chain rings are strong, but does not help if cranks are garbage, I managed to twist a chainring. for mtb 1x8 is horrible for mtb, even commuting, at least with stock cassette, but ok for flatter areas, of course if it's a bike with smaller wheels it will be lighter than for 29er. if you got small enough chainring and wide range cassette it can work.
Awesome...may not know bike mechanics but you were straight forward and to the point without all the annoying...Im a professional bike mechanic and this is the correct and acceptable way to do this. Its a freaking bike that we all started working on as kids!
When I see a mtb-ing UA-camr like you,I don't say "what the heck are you doing?".Rather,in the back of my mind,I think "Hey,that's just nice to see someone being actually resourceful."Nice vid and accompanying commentary,bro.
That's a great idea. you can get a pretty good gear ratio for most stuff even with an 1X8. I also have a 26T chainring installed in case I have to climb a huge hill, and when that happens I just stop and move the chain to the small ring manually. It rarely happens so I think it is still better than having a front derailleur. I hate front derailleur. Even my road bikes don't have front derailleur!!! ;)
To fit and remove handlebar grips use hair spray and a plastic spoon. I've been using this method since 1987. Use the handle of the spoon to make a gap between the grip and the bar, then spray the hair spray between the grip and bar. Manipulate the grip to move the hair spray around and hey presto, the grip is off. To fit using hair spray clean the bar and inside of grip then spray the hair spray on the bar and inside of grip, fit the grip to the bar, rotating the grip when sliding it on to spread the hair spray around. Leave for an hour or so to dry, the grip will be locked on until you want to remove it again.
I changed my bike from 3 x 8 to 2 x 1, that means I put a 2 speed Schlumpf drive on the bottom bracked an a single speed on the rear hub. No shifting cables at all and great fun to ride.
Really good tutorial, i was thinking of changing 3x8 to 1x8 and i didn't know if i could do it without buyin the whole part, i mean, juste the ring or the plate, but with this video i changed my mind, thank u so much!!!!
The physics is, when u up or down 1 cog in front derailure, its equal to 2 to 3 up or down in rear cog 3by is more useful if ur neighbourhood have steep hill
Yes it is! That's why I'm thinking of a 3 or 2 chainrings and single cog rear with chain tensioner. I only use the biggest and middle ring in my triple crankset.
I have a 42tooth ten speed expander cog on an 8speed. Drilled out the pins on the cassette. Ditched the third gear. Works with an 8 speed derailleur. 11-42 8 speed with a 30tooth chainring and 26inch wheels. Goes up anything.
Depends on what you need. I live in a city and like my 1x cyclocross/gravel but when im out in the woods I appreciate the advantages of 3x8 Mountainbike.
I did the exact same thing on my Giant Talon! I have a Truvativ Descendant GXP Alloy crankset, but I have a wide range 8 speed 11-40t sunrace cassette out back.
I converted from 3x9 to 1x9 with a bigger spread cassette. Unfortunately the rear 9spd mech couldn’t handle the spread and shifting sucked. I had to covert to 1x11 rear mech and shifter for it to work properly and give me a nice gear range.
I used to convert my 3x6 to 1x6 back in the day. 8 or 9 gears are plenty. I would run 1x9, but I like the newer clutch derailleurs, so I stick to 1x10 on 26".
I went to the advent x 1x10 recently and have never looked back. I did not know I disliked a front derailleur so darn much. BTW...necessity is the mother of invention so innovation on the fly is a good thing.
The biggest issue is the gearing usually sucks in the back because they allowed for the granny gear in front which is usually around 26t or something like that and the middle ring maybe 32. So they only needed the 8 gears in back. But if you go just one gear in front, you need to allow for that and maybe go with a 30t in front. Depends on what your hole spacing is and what size you can get. Most are 140mm I believe and most companies only go down to 30t at 104mm spacing. I did eventually find a 28t when my brother went to a single front ring, but can't recall what brand, there as only one company making it.
I like to do something to my MTB every once in a while. It's been a 3x8, then a 1x8, again a 3x8 and now it's a 2x8. From 22-32-42 chainrings (Acera FC-M361) now it's running 22-36 chainrings on the same spider, plus a Shimano bashring. I couldn't find anything to space out the bashring, to keep it from being too close to the chain and rubbing against it, so I've found the lock washers to act as spacers. Flatened them a little, works like a charm, bashring spaced out by 2 mm, no chain rub, Bob's my uncle. Bicycle shops in my country don't have stuff in stock that would make me replace bicycle parts for granted, but as I like to have a MacGyver approach to fixing stuff it works out well. A true genius is someone who can make something work out in a different way, not how the engineer has imagined it. Your 1x8 conversion is very nice, it's about the fun and tinkering with stuff. Greetings from Croatia! 👋🏻
Instead of using washer on the grommets I just took them to the grinder and shortened them myself. Also, to take your grips off in 2 seconds, put an air chuck on a compressor and shove it inside the grip between the bar. Blows it right off.
I did the same on my old Connor WRC (2007) and feels like a new bike. Total recomended. U can find the Crankset (BB+cranks+chainring) on ebay for 35 pounds ;)
If you aren't racing or climbing incredibly steep hills and if you don't mind losing top speeds attained with a bigger chainring for times you are out on the open roads, then its ok. But if you want ride your bike in a variety of situations, its not worth it.
I can agree and disagree..im 39 years old..rode 3xwhatever...1xwhatever. And just straight singlespeed..gears suck..inconvenient. Eventually you will have an issue..be it a bent hanger..wopped gear. And usually ir happens in the worst possible time..i hate walking..lol..my go to was always singlespeed..and i single speed in any medium..road, downhill, trail...dont matter..sleekest look and i dont lose speed..guess its conditioning..im not lazy..and dont cheat myself..some people love gears..their preference..but for me..its singlespeed everywhere..looks awesome. No bs. And its challenging and fulfilling..
@@georgeoutthebox6245Single speed sounds like it works for your needs but try racing your single speed in mtb cross country races against good ultigeared riders. Youll get left in their dust.
@@williammorris6097 why does every bike have to be a "race" bike? why is that the standard? that is like saying someone is stupid for getting literally any car that is not a nascar rated car.
"If you aren't racing or climbing incredibly steep hills" literally the first thing you said. but I think you also missed that a lot of world cup racers are running 1x systems...
I did this with a raliegh technium in 1992. 1 x 6. Still ride it today. I'm not a pro so I don't "need" ultra high gears. But for the love of the great bike spirit...get some single speed bolts.
What is it with all these guys who can't use a front deraileur? I rented a 1x11 bike, hated it, never in the right gear and at the lower gears there was definitely huge chain drag.
Having been riding and racing intermittently for 23 years, I agree. If you can't understand a front derailleur, you probably can't change a tube. If you can't do either of those, you are likely just riding around the block, in which case, you can ride a single speed. Marketing works really well on people. I just sit back and laugh.
Because 1x drivetrains have better chain retention for jumps and drops and most people dont ride for fitness but for fun. Not everyone rides like you so instead of making fun of us try to understand why we find the appeal of 1x. Dont act like an elitist
@@GTChucker86 In the context of this video, the bike he is using and the type of riding this bike's intended use is not "jumps n drops". I would say people who ride jumps and drops is the smallest group of types of cyclists. "Elite" is more often than not a small group. Who is being elite?
@@SurpriseMeJT You could say the same for Seth Bike hacks and his similar spec Trek hardtail at the start of his channel. and he did a lot of jumping and aggressive trail riding on that thing and its barely any different from the Giant bike in the video. I mean you literally assumed people who ride 1x doesn't know how to use a Front derailleur or cant change a tube, what kind of person are you if you are willing generalize and imply that people who set and ride their bikes differently from you are considered idiots? Everyone knows how to use a front derailleur and its capabilities but for some riders its completely unnecessary for their type of riding, they are the type of people who rather want to keep their chain in place in rough terrain than complaining about chain drag and limited gear ratios. I'm not the elitist here and size of the community has nothing to do with being an elitist its the fact that you are looking down on people just because they run a specific drivetrain setup and then implying they are not as good of a rider as yourself just proves you are one. And no I don't believe in buying the latest gear (Sram Eagle is stupid) or gimmick I setup my bike for my SPECIFIC riding style just like how you set your bike for yours.
That's not cheap.. that's smart. People who buy any or everything are suckers who can't do nada! Also not a bad idea to convert a 3x to a 1x8. I did and I love it. And people love my mtb. It shows character
I made a 1x to a 2x conversion on my walmart bike had a 36 tooth on the front and all of the trails i ride have steep climbs so i cut out a 22tooth gear on a plasma cutter and drilled holes in the original crank and now i have a bike that can climb
1x8 is certainly not a bad idea as I'm an in the middle of doing it myself. You did a decent job with what you had. Some chainrings actually come with the smaller grommet. If you want to spend some money you can also get the bigger cassette in 1x8 to help with climbing...
I abuse mine the same way. It seems to handle more torque that I can give. Every now and then the bolt in the hinge needs tightening but hey, another multitool has a fitting bit!
I hate having an FD, it's noisy and becomes unreliable over time. I kept mine on the middle gear 34t, so I just took it off and replaced it with a 32t chainring set. Had a peace of mind ever since.
Yay a fellow rider that has no money and unknowingly triggers every single xc rider on the face of the Earth. Some people don't realize that we ride for fun not a Strava time.
@@that_squires_guy lol thanks for replying btw do you know the sizing of the front chainring thanks.
it's not just for the fun, 34/34 it's going to give you 1m on the easier gear, compared to the 0.64 a 22/34 setup would give, it's around 35% loss on how easy your easier gear will get? So now climbing will be harder just for the looks. Looks never go over function, there is a reason why the lower the number of disks the crankset has, the higher the number of sprockets on the back, to keep the climbing ratio as similar as possible without loosing much speed on the plain.
@@Asthbendriel lol I'm still going to do it
Do what makes you happy bro, I did a similar thing to my city bike, I have a crap altus 8 speed drivetrain, i ditched my triple riveted together cranks up front, I now use a crankset with a 44t narrow wide. The bike is definitely more fun. I soon will upgrade the rest of my drivetrain to sram x9 for a more appropriate 1x10 setup.
Haha yess best speech 2018 😂👏
I really like how honest this guy is. I’m a beginner and also find myself very interested and eager to learn more about fixing up mine and my kids bikes. And I’m also a cheap ass lol
"He's using a multi tool for everything!!"
Well, it's called a MULTI tool, so...
He said this at the very begining doughnut.
@@Steaks652 ""
Probably to keep bike snobs out of the comment section. Lots of douchebags in the cycling community
@@giggityeffyou Nothing truer has ever been stated than the second half of your comment.
If you pour rubbing alcohol in the space between the grip and the bar (use a nail or paperclip to create some space) the grips come off super easy
"no body likes taking of handle bar grips" someone has never had lock on grips...
That's what I thought, lock ons are amazing, probably the best upgrade i ever made. (Haven't got a dropper yet)
I love my lock on grips to
@@dumbr2098 I reccomend the X-Brand dropper for $99. It has been reliable for 3 years on 2 different bikes of mine!
@@scottiemanners Yeah, it's stock on a lot of bikes!
It's stock on the bike I'm saving up for currently so I won't be buying it for my half broken bike I have right now.
Vitus Sommet, can't wait to have that bike.
My bike right now is a singlespeed cause my derailleur broke.. not buying new parts for it.
Lifehack: Use an air-pump and push air on the grips, on forget to cover the other side of the handle bar of course, it will inflate the grip a little bit allowing you to slide it in or out very easily.
I'd like to force this guy to listen to this music with headphones on full blast.
Shoulda used the Benny Hill music.
Is that a threat
Tari ng manok
Whyy?
Whyy?
Remove the front derailleur for a cleaner sleeker look.
AKA chainguide.
I guess the bike's running a 8 speed Acera rear derailleur.
Those things have almost no tension,so any bump with make the chain go off if not for the front derailleur.
Good call I was thinking why didn't he take that off too.... But good morning people!!
@@samiranroy2245 narrow-wide chainrings don't drop the chain
@@TheLaXandro Ex-fucking-actly. If you're going to upgrade to a single chainring up front, you NEED to get a narrow-wide chainring.
I have a 3x8 hardtail but never touch the front shifter tbh. I always ride the middle chainring. Thanks for showing that the makeover is possible and actually not hard to do.
Did my 27 speed, just removed the smallest and largest chainrings and added a bash guard. Also removed the front derailleur and shifter. Works fine and super cheap.
Nothing is stupid if it works.
Not true at all
So why change in the first place?
@@Kayvoyager Because the psychological pressure of the marketing industry is to strong. And in this way you still get a psychological victory in not spending a lot more money on a 1×10/11/12 setup. But you knew that allready;-)
You could empty a bath tub with a spoon. Given enough time and it will work, but it is still stupid.
@@rogerlahaye1948 you are assuming a lot of things there bud. Lighten up ;)
I did a 3X to 1X conversion on my old gravel bike hybrid by buying a cheap cassette and cheap chainring to maintain practical ratios. Got to ditch the FD, cable, and older worn-down steel chainrings for reduced complexity and weight savings while still having my previous top speed (at a slightly higher cadence) and climbing ability (at a slightly lower cadence). Hundreds of miles in and still going strong, 20 bucks well spent.
That was my first "upgrade" on my bike in 5 years. So i guess the bike industry got super rich off me by spending that $20 after 5 years of just pure maintenance? Lol.
Proud 1 by 8 owner. I've actually upgraded the cassette to a 11-42T, which gives me quite a bit of range. Works like a charm!
What's the teeth of your chain ring? Thank you in advance!
@@theking_023 I wanted to know the same thing. I just converted my Trek Marlin GF 29er to 1x8 and i went with a 32t chainring and its ok for moderate grades but as soon as i get to any real climbs im not able to make it far before i run out of steam. So i ordered a 30t (smallest size i can find for 104bcd cranks/chainrings) and i think thats going to help. In my very limited experience im thinking 32t up front would be fine for the average rider in a 1x8 setup with 27.5 wheels. If your bike is a 29er and your cassette is a 11-32 like mine though i would recommend starting at a 30t chainring (or 28t if your cranks work with them and you can find one). Ive had zero chain drops since the conversion, but id hate to "jinx" it lol. Im not using a chian guide either. I planned on getting one if i was dropping the chian but so far it looks like the narrow wide chainring is sufficient. And on top of that im not even using a 9 speed chain like some guys do when they convert to 1x8. I imagine if i was dropping the chain that might also help to try.
I just did this mod to my old 90's Univega and love it!
"I'm just a dumb mountainbiker that likes to tinkle with his toys" wow he totally described my condition
*tinker!!!😂😂 if you’re tinkling with them too, there’s nothing wrong with that either I guess😂
Recently converted a mint 2011 Trek Gary Fischer Marlin 29er into a 1x8 but i also swapped the crankset to hollowtech for even more weight savings. I bought the bike off a guy who literally bought it brand new rode it 2 times with his kids then hung it on the wall in the garage and that was that lol. I also swapped the pedals for some raceface clones, the bars to 180mm Satori Deviants and put on some locking grips. Did a complete tear down and service of the front coil fork which made a massive difference. I was going to swap the fork for an air fork but after servicing the coil fork im actually really happy with it. As long as i can keep the sticktion down by keeping it serviced I think it will last for a really long time. As for the 1x8 setup its very solid. I went with a 32T chainring up front but ive got a 30t chainring on the way i want to try. In the lower gears its a little stiff on climbs. My plan has always been to swap the cassette for a BiBike groupset 10 speed 11t-50t eventually. But for now that 32t chainring with the stock 8 speed 11t-32t cassette really just isnt ideal for climbs. If the wheels were 27.5 or smaller it would probably be ok but with the 29 inch wheels its just too hard on climbs even in the lowest 32t cassette gear. But once i have the 11-50 10 speed cassette id bet the 32t chianring will be perfect.
I remember being a kid and upgrading my Raleigh Rampar 500. I went to Bradley's department store which hasn't existed in a long time. They had a BMX section with bike parts. Not top of the line but good for a kid. I upgraded every single part of my bike and I took pride in it. Thank God there are still kids like this! Great video keep biking! I'm 46 I still hit the trails and bike more than I ever had. But I still do dumb s**t and wreck all the time. Scars are better than tattoos!
I just bought a used talon 3 that was already converted to 1x8 by the seller. Keeps it simple for me , hill climbing and trails I'm riding works perfect.
Fun. I’ve thought about it. Getting a good range rear cassette is what has kept me from trying it.
11-42 or 11-46 if you can find one lol
Thumbs up for flattening the washers and using them for spacers. Love to see fellow tinkerers being resourceful.
I done the same thing recently after realising out of the 27 gears on my bike I was using about 4!
yup... i have a 3x8, but i find i usually leave the front one in the middle... so might be trying this too.
@@unclefreddieDied mixed feeling man , the granny front 22 works well on steep uphills
@@sdqsdq6274 I hear ya, but you can probably get the same "ratio" with a big cassette and a 30 tooth chain ring....???
@SlickDaddy yes, you'd probably want a bigger chain ring... closer to 40 tooth is my guess... and a bigger cassette.
I got the parts for my conversion.. can't wait to put them on... too cold to go riding though
I did the same thing to a 3x9. Now it is a 1x10. So much simpler and cleaner. I was told not worthy since the bike is a bit old but I am glad I did it.
Do you like watching seths bike hacks? Because i noticed that you have almost the same approach.
@@that_squires_guy Narrated voice over a video is not Seth's invention, you know. It's just the topic.
That what I was thinking
Hey there!
How its this hack going so far???
Im trying to do something alike but turning my 3X8 into a 2X8 with a much larger cassette. Since i never use the larger disc anyways...
How has it worked for you so far???
I'm a fan of the 1x - one question tho, why didn't you pull the derailleur, it's a big part of the weight loss?
Sounds like Seth too
I own a Montague Paratrooper (folding) 26" mountain bike with 3 chainrings. The smallest ring can climb any steep grade, the middle ring is boringly neutral, and the best ring is unquestionably the biggest one. The lowest gear on this ring can climb very steep grades, and the highest gear is very fast in straight-line speed. So I decided to use this ring alone, and forget the rest, since it is definitely the most versatile. However, I see no logical reason to remove this whole setup just to save a measly few ounces, and it looks fine just the way it is. I only ride, I don't race.
Here are 3 tips (for slip-on grips):
1. When taking grips off, use an air compressor and put the nozzle under the lip of the grip. If no compressor is available, kinda semi roll the grip of the bar onto itself.
2. You can shove some zip ties under/in the grip to get it off.
3. To put grips on, spray alcohol/water onto the bars (it will dry), it make it much easier
Or just use lock on grips! (My preference, they're more secure too)
I found jamming long zip ties right under the grips about 3 on each side and the grips slide right off. And hairspray to get them back on, let it dry before you use the bike. Now that's proper cheap-ass 👌
@@MartyMcFryyy Right, I forgot that trick! I'll edit my original comment.
the Topeak Multi tool is awesome!! A little tip for taking off slip on grips: 1) slip a zip tie between or pull up on the inside of the grip where it meets the handlebar. 2) pour a few drips of isopropyl alcohol between the grip and handlebar. 3) as you twist the grip back and forth, the alcohol will work its way around the grip and make it much easier to slip off.
I've just recently converted from 3x9 to a 1x9. Have not upgraded my rear derailleur yet, do have a 11-40 cassette upgrade, previously a 11-34, new chain, derailleur hanger extender, and a 34 tooth n/w chainring. Lost a little gear range on both ends, but, I love it! Declutters the handlebars, drops a little weight and looks very cool and simple. Bbg bashwich bash guard, protects chain ring and works as a chain retainer also. Works well, looks cool, lighter weight, simpler, and cleaner. May upgrade to eagle nx in the near future. More low end, so increases gear range. Great vid. I appreciate your conversion. Follow up vid would be cool. I bet it works great and looks cool!
@@that_squires_guy will do. Great channel man!
I did the same thing on my 3x7 set up freewheel on my cheap bike. It works fine as long as you get passed the noises coming from the rear non clutched mech. Eventually I upgraded to my 12 speed hard tail but it was a fun project and i enjoyed it. I also added a chain guide/tension-er to reduce noise and add chain retention.
Remove the reflector. It weight a ton of uncoolness
This is the best part of biking. The exploration of biking is not just on the trail, it's in the shop (where ever that may be), too
tip for getting grips off put a 2mm allen key under the grip pour some rubbing alcohol under pull the key out and they will slide right off. RJ the bike guy is where I got it from. Its much easier.
@@that_squires_guy I hear ya just something to remember if you find yourself needing to get some grips off.
Pro tip for getting the grips off if they aren't lock on: loosen the brake lever and use it to push the grip off. It exerts equal force on the surface of the grips and generally shoots it off without too much struggle. Same concept works for twist shifters. It has saved me a ton of time.
scrooge1913 by doing this your bars will look like they have been through a war.
Compressed air is the pro tip...
I converted to 1x last year. after a few months I converted back to 3x. for the kind of riding I do I need the extreme ends of the gear range. 1x seems like a compromise to save a bit of weight.
I think keeping a 3x is much more beneficial for extra gear range especially going up hills than saving some weight and having a more appealing look with a 1x
I enjoyed that ride! You got the job done! Sometimes you have to improvise. I upgraded an old mongoose bike by replacing the crappy rear spring shock with an (not too expensive, but ok) air shock. To get the bushings out of the old shock and into the new shock, I cobbled together a few sockets and a big c-clamp. Worked just fine and didnt cost anything. Enjoy your new bike!!!
shoot a 1 x 7 would work fine too(what I use), I think the only things that would matter is the size of the largest cog and the smallest cog on the cassette or freewheel, for climbing and speed.
I've got an old Gravity Liberty CXD from bikes direct that came with a 3x8 Claris groupset. The front derailleur is absolute garbage. It won't shift into the big ring at all. I've played with cable tension and the limit screws and nothing works. After watching this, I'm going to tear off the derailleur and the outer two chainrings. It'll give me a range of 30/32 to 30/11. Definitely limits top speed, but the climbing gear isn't terrible and not having to worry about grinding gears on front shifts will be a relief.
Nice video - Don't forget the front derrailleur, it will rattle like crazy if you keep it, especially if you don't have a clutch in the back. You could do from now on 1x10 really easy, $48 a Shimano Zee FR Derailleur(cheapest clutch system I believe), $21 a Shimano Zee Shifter and a cheap 11-36 cassette(prices at jensonusa - cheapest around) Zero chain drops, and I ride pretty hard on both of my bikes. That's what I did on my 29er Diamondback Overdrive and a Norco Shore 3 downhill. It is awesome !
Made my Stumpy hardtail single chainring and it's the best thing to ever happen to it!
Seth's bike hacks also used to run a 1 by 8 setup on his trek bicycle
First realistic vid of an 3x8 to a 1x8 conversion on a budget. Thanks man I was unsure to do it and be judged. ❤
You should get lock on grip
yup
A quick way to remove grips, if you have an air compressor just blow air into the grip and they slide right off, providing their not appoxied on, then it's a razor blade right down the length of the grip
might look really cool to use the breech side of a shell or rifle casing drilled out instead of lock washers
Bought a 2x10 bike. Replaced the bb , went one by . New chain, and cassette 11x42 10 cog with a 34 tooth chain ring. Climbs ok but get off and hike a bike a lot in the steeps. Taking the hard tail out in Gallup today.
Year 2018 and you still use square tapered crank and 8 speeds??? I am glad I am not alone LoL. I run 38T with custom 12-32 sprockets btw :)
Outer BB Shimano cranks getting cheaper nowadays like Acera/Altus, though one reason I keep square taper because knee pain from the Q-factor but it's adjustable by changing either the cranks or the BB length unlike outer BB which is fixed.
Yes kinda like that. Pedal also has Q-factor with longer/shorter spindle and there's an adapter named 'knee saver' used mostly on road cranks, just google it.
I only use the middle 32 and inner 22 chain rings on the front and a 32-11 cassette. I still use a shimano deore square tapered crank aswell.
There are now cassettes 8 speed....10-36-11-40 teeth......for a budget i thinking of buy it to look, looks like a 10 speed bike...
2019 and still using square taper 3x8 haha. Planning on upgrading the bottom bracket to hollow tech 2 and getting a 32t single chainring, I'd recycle the old one but all the chainring are riveted instead of bolted together. I already get by fine with an 8 speed cassette but I'd like to upgrade that to 9 or 10sp depending on what fits, not trying to upgrade hubs or wheels.
I just did that. 32t chainring & 7speed 11-32t sprockets. The climbs were brutal. I put back the 22t chainring and it's now a 2x7 👍
Pro tip to remove the grip, roll it into itself to take it off. So much easier lol
I've been a 1x8er for a while now....you're right on when you stated that it's simpler and lighter set up. Cool video.
is it worth it and would you be able to tell me how much it would cost? Thanks.
Well, the cons are that I'm sort of restricted on the number of gears I can use without having to put extra strain on my chain. The other con is that you may want to get a single speed sprocket with longer teeth. This would help keep the chain from coming off during a rough ride. But other than that, it cost me nothing and I removed the front derailleur, gear shifter and extra sprockets.
U should take the front derailleur off tho
If it works for you, then that shouldnt be a problem. In my setup, i converted from 3x but i didnt bother to remove the smallest chainring. The middle chainring is still stock (ramped) then just put the RD clutch in the on position then thats it. Instant 1x setup
Try oval chainring. also the fork on this bike is scary and the race face chain rings are strong, but does not help if cranks are garbage, I managed to twist a chainring.
for mtb 1x8 is horrible for mtb, even commuting, at least with stock cassette, but ok for flatter areas, of course if it's a bike with smaller wheels it will be lighter than for 29er.
if you got small enough chainring and wide range cassette it can work.
i converted my drive train into a 1X8 and dont regret it.. the bike is lighter and a whole lot smoother with new cranks. great video man
Well as my old friend Timon would say “Hakuna Matata”
What a Wonderful Phrase.
Awesome...may not know bike mechanics but you were straight forward and to the point without all the annoying...Im a professional bike mechanic and this is the correct and acceptable way to do this. Its a freaking bike that we all started working on as kids!
I have 3x9 .... i feel better is change for a totally new bike if you want to move to 1x9 or other setup
When I see a mtb-ing UA-camr like you,I don't say "what the heck are you doing?".Rather,in the back of my mind,I think "Hey,that's just nice to see someone being actually resourceful."Nice vid and accompanying commentary,bro.
That's a great idea. you can get a pretty good gear ratio for most stuff even with an 1X8. I also have a 26T chainring installed in case I have to climb a huge hill, and when that happens I just stop and move the chain to the small ring manually. It rarely happens so I think it is still better than having a front derailleur. I hate front derailleur. Even my road bikes don't have front derailleur!!! ;)
Do you even ride bro.
To fit and remove handlebar grips use hair spray and a plastic spoon. I've been using this method since 1987. Use the handle of the spoon to make a gap between the grip and the bar, then spray the hair spray between the grip and bar. Manipulate the grip to move the hair spray around and hey presto, the grip is off. To fit using hair spray clean the bar and inside of grip then spray the hair spray on the bar and inside of grip, fit the grip to the bar, rotating the grip when sliding it on to spread the hair spray around. Leave for an hour or so to dry, the grip will be locked on until you want to remove it again.
It's awesome cause the only thing you can accidentally bump on the trail is the fine gears and they don't mess you up as much
I changed my bike from 3 x 8 to 2 x 1, that means I put a 2 speed Schlumpf drive on the bottom bracked an a single speed on the rear hub. No shifting cables at all and great fun to ride.
@Yard Sale Dale no I use clipless pedals.
My bike has a fixed rear hub and the ratios are 27:17 and approx. 44:17 on a 26inch MTB.
Bro were the same, i aslo converted my 3x8 to a 1x8 setup but i changed the cassette its now 11-40
How does that run for you? Smoothly or rigidly?
FLTS its smooth...
I also run on 11-40 casette...
What's your front sprocket tooth?
Did you need a new derailleur too?
Really good tutorial, i was thinking of changing 3x8 to 1x8 and i didn't know if i could do it without buyin the whole part, i mean, juste the ring or the plate, but with this video i changed my mind, thank u so much!!!!
Love the vid and the background music!!!
You should have got a bash guard and you wouldn't have to use the lock washers. That is what I did with my 1x8 conversion.
The physics is, when u up or down 1 cog in front derailure, its equal to 2 to 3 up or down in rear cog
3by is more useful if ur neighbourhood have steep hill
Yes it is! That's why I'm thinking of a 3 or 2 chainrings and single cog rear with chain tensioner. I only use the biggest and middle ring in my triple crankset.
I have a 42tooth ten speed expander cog on an 8speed. Drilled out the pins on the cassette. Ditched the third gear. Works with an 8 speed derailleur. 11-42 8 speed with a 30tooth chainring and 26inch wheels. Goes up anything.
This looks fun! Now, I want to convert from 3x9 to 1x9!!
iiFireCraftX don’t do it 1x9 would suck climbing
Lol I thought the same
@@jayf2487 did u ever try it? And how it suck at climbing?
I have done it.. 36t 1x9 with 11-42 cassete..
Same
Depends on what you need. I live in a city and like my 1x cyclocross/gravel but when im out in the woods I appreciate the advantages of 3x8 Mountainbike.
I hope you didn't throw away your 3 X set up because in a year or two when The Fad goes away you'll be wanting to put it back on
I've been riding like this 92.and I still say "Groovy".
motorcycleguy73 in the future there will me more 1x and less 3x
A little rubbing alcohol poured under grip between runber and handlebar and work back and forth and it just slides off like butter.
Budget MTB 👍 Keep riding bro and don’t listen to the haters, those guys are broke
Nice one. I hope it's working great for ya.
About 10 years ago, single speed MTB was all the rage.
Good job. Have fun!
Nothing to switching to a 1 by, but maybe invest in some lock on grips?
Great getting there!
That a good attemt to change, give us a next video with the results uf swapping from 3x8 to 1x 8 , the results, thanks, joe.
I did the exact same thing on my Giant Talon! I have a Truvativ Descendant GXP Alloy crankset, but I have a wide range 8 speed 11-40t sunrace cassette out back.
@@that_squires_guy it works amazingly! I have a 32t chainring, and it feels great!
I converted from 3x9 to 1x9 with a bigger spread cassette. Unfortunately the rear 9spd mech couldn’t handle the spread and shifting sucked. I had to covert to 1x11 rear mech and shifter for it to work properly and give me a nice gear range.
This is a really good video. just subscribed keep it up and you'll have heaps more
I used to convert my 3x6 to 1x6 back in the day. 8 or 9 gears are plenty. I would run 1x9, but I like the newer clutch derailleurs, so I stick to 1x10 on 26".
Or just buy the right size chainring bolts.
I went to the advent x 1x10 recently and have never looked back. I did not know I disliked a front derailleur so darn much. BTW...necessity is the mother of invention so innovation on the fly is a good thing.
Been using 1x7 speed for 2 years and i received a body builder's legs
Was thinking about doing this to my bike, would you recommend?
Thanks
@@robbinsb1007 what are the numbers of your drivetrain?
I was thinking of doing a 1 by 6
I changed mine from a 2x9 to a 1x9 with a One Up components oval chain ring. Beat thing I done to the bike
Use a air compressor to take of & on your grips a lot easier .
Where is the challenge?
Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle is even easier
The biggest issue is the gearing usually sucks in the back because they allowed for the granny gear in front which is usually around 26t or something like that and the middle ring maybe 32. So they only needed the 8 gears in back. But if you go just one gear in front, you need to allow for that and maybe go with a 30t in front. Depends on what your hole spacing is and what size you can get. Most are 140mm I believe and most companies only go down to 30t at 104mm spacing. I did eventually find a 28t when my brother went to a single front ring, but can't recall what brand, there as only one company making it.
Also by removing the large chain ring you lose speed on the open road and down hill
No shit
Good video. This shows how easy it is for a simple 3x8 to a 1x8 conversion. Use your special tools and your procedures to suit yourself.
You can get an 11-40 cassette for like 30 bucks off amazon
I like to do something to my MTB every once in a while. It's been a 3x8, then a 1x8, again a 3x8 and now it's a 2x8. From 22-32-42 chainrings (Acera FC-M361) now it's running 22-36 chainrings on the same spider, plus a Shimano bashring. I couldn't find anything to space out the bashring, to keep it from being too close to the chain and rubbing against it, so I've found the lock washers to act as spacers. Flatened them a little, works like a charm, bashring spaced out by 2 mm, no chain rub, Bob's my uncle.
Bicycle shops in my country don't have stuff in stock that would make me replace bicycle parts for granted, but as I like to have a MacGyver approach to fixing stuff it works out well.
A true genius is someone who can make something work out in a different way, not how the engineer has imagined it.
Your 1x8 conversion is very nice, it's about the fun and tinkering with stuff.
Greetings from Croatia! 👋🏻
I speak spanish bro, I don't understand nothing but I was like the video jajajajajaj
Instead of using washer on the grommets I just took them to the grinder and shortened them myself.
Also, to take your grips off in 2 seconds, put an air chuck on a compressor and shove it inside the grip between the bar. Blows it right off.
Multitools for everything...hahaha
I knw wht u feel dude..😆
I did the same on my old Connor WRC (2007) and feels like a new bike. Total recomended. U can find the Crankset (BB+cranks+chainring) on ebay for 35 pounds ;)
If you aren't racing or climbing incredibly steep hills and if you don't mind losing top speeds attained with a bigger chainring for times you are out on the open roads, then its ok. But if you want ride your bike in a variety of situations, its not worth it.
I can agree and disagree..im 39 years old..rode 3xwhatever...1xwhatever. And just straight singlespeed..gears suck..inconvenient. Eventually you will have an issue..be it a bent hanger..wopped gear. And usually ir happens in the worst possible time..i hate walking..lol..my go to was always singlespeed..and i single speed in any medium..road, downhill, trail...dont matter..sleekest look and i dont lose speed..guess its conditioning..im not lazy..and dont cheat myself..some people love gears..their preference..but for me..its singlespeed everywhere..looks awesome. No bs. And its challenging and fulfilling..
@@georgeoutthebox6245Single speed sounds like it works for your needs but try racing your single speed in mtb cross country races against good ultigeared riders. Youll get left in their dust.
@@williammorris6097 why does every bike have to be a "race" bike? why is that the standard? that is like saying someone is stupid for getting literally any car that is not a nascar rated car.
@@maximusgladi8or Congratulations. you completely missed my point.
"If you aren't racing or climbing incredibly steep hills" literally the first thing you said. but I think you also missed that a lot of world cup racers are running 1x systems...
I did this with a raliegh technium in 1992. 1 x 6. Still ride it today. I'm not a pro so I don't "need" ultra high gears. But for the love of the great bike spirit...get some single speed bolts.
What is it with all these guys who can't use a front deraileur? I rented a 1x11 bike, hated it, never in the right gear and at the lower gears there was definitely huge chain drag.
Having been riding and racing intermittently for 23 years, I agree. If you can't understand a front derailleur, you probably can't change a tube. If you can't do either of those, you are likely just riding around the block, in which case, you can ride a single speed. Marketing works really well on people. I just sit back and laugh.
same, riding 50 years, watching to many riders with $$ and sponsorship, upgrade never.
Because 1x drivetrains have better chain retention for jumps and drops and most people dont ride for fitness but for fun. Not everyone rides like you so instead of making fun of us try to understand why we find the appeal of 1x. Dont act like an elitist
@@GTChucker86 In the context of this video, the bike he is using and the type of riding this bike's intended use is not "jumps n drops". I would say people who ride jumps and drops is the smallest group of types of cyclists. "Elite" is more often than not a small group. Who is being elite?
@@SurpriseMeJT You could say the same for Seth Bike hacks and his similar spec Trek hardtail at the start of his channel. and he did a lot of jumping and aggressive trail riding on that thing and its barely any different from the Giant bike in the video. I mean you literally assumed people who ride 1x doesn't know how to use a Front derailleur or cant change a tube, what kind of person are you if you are willing generalize and imply that people who set and ride their bikes differently from you are considered idiots? Everyone knows how to use a front derailleur and its capabilities but for some riders its completely unnecessary for their type of riding, they are the type of people who rather want to keep their chain in place in rough terrain than complaining about chain drag and limited gear ratios. I'm not the elitist here and size of the community has nothing to do with being an elitist its the fact that you are looking down on people just because they run a specific drivetrain setup and then implying they are not as good of a rider as yourself just proves you are one. And no I don't believe in buying the latest gear (Sram Eagle is stupid) or gimmick I setup my bike for my SPECIFIC riding style just like how you set your bike for yours.
Buddy, an excellent idea. And is better 1x8, less weight, more easy handle shifts.
That's not cheap.. that's smart. People who buy any or everything are suckers who can't do nada! Also not a bad idea to convert a 3x to a 1x8. I did and I love it. And people love my mtb. It shows character
Agree
I made a 1x to a 2x conversion on my walmart bike had a 36 tooth on the front and all of the trails i ride have steep climbs so i cut out a 22tooth gear on a plasma cutter and drilled holes in the original crank and now i have a bike that can climb
Robert Trageser you missed the point.
It’s your bike , don’t let all haters get you down, the big question do you like it, awesome job
Is that Giant Talon 3?
1x8 is certainly not a bad idea as I'm an in the middle of doing it myself. You did a decent job with what you had. Some chainrings actually come with the smaller grommet. If you want to spend some money you can also get the bigger cassette in 1x8 to help with climbing...
I feel sorry for the multi tool. Goes through more abuse then the bike. LOL
I abuse mine the same way. It seems to handle more torque that I can give. Every now and then the bolt in the hinge needs tightening but hey, another multitool has a fitting bit!
I hate having an FD, it's noisy and becomes unreliable over time. I kept mine on the middle gear 34t, so I just took it off and replaced it with a 32t chainring set. Had a peace of mind ever since.