2 x 10 gearing

Buying a new XT 2 x 10 crank in the next few days but am undecided on which gear combo. I can go 26/38 or 24/38 most likely with 11-36 on the rear

any opinions on what would be a better combo. I want gearing that lets me go uphill but not let me spin out to badly on the decents. Let me also say that its been nearly 15 years since on a bike and my fitness level is definately sub par if thats helps with the choice

What bike will the drivetrain be going on?

They're both 38 big ring so no difference spinning out. You could expect shifting to be slightly better between rings with the 26t (but only a poofteenth). If you are mortal and like to go up steep things get the smaller granny but if you are Captain Climb go the bigger one.

Cheers Ben

it will be going on a cove stiffee

what kind of climbing are you doing?

im running a 22/34 up front and a 11/32 on the rear ( i couldnt get anything better for my 8spd without ordering it in) .

on the climbs im doing i really wish i had put on a 11/36.

after last nights ride i'm swapping out my shifter and der. on my hei hei so i can run the 10 spd.

i wont have the top range, its for really steep climbs that im worried about..

maybe go 22/36?

it will be going on a cove stiffee

You could probably manage quite nicely with 1x10 using a 34 or 36T front chainring and the 11-36T cassette . (Most DH bikes only use a 36T front chainring) The only time you'd be using the top gears would be on the road. Since the bike is a 26" hardtail, it will pedal more efficiently. It will be a bit of a struggle at first, but once you get used to it, the 1x10 will be far superior to the 2x10 system.

it will definately see its share of roadtime as i do not own a vehicle and will be riding to my destinations. therefore im thinking 2 x 10 is going to be a better option

36 is big enough for a big ring and go for as small a small ring as you can get.

being new to all this again. after reading other posts it looks like i wont be in my granny all that much except for climbs…and dropping to granny probably only for the real steep climbs. Is that 2 tooth difference going to be that noticable

it will definately see its share of roadtime as i do not own a vehicle and will be riding to my destinations. therefore im thinking 2 x 10 is going to be a better option

being new to all this again. after reading other posts it looks like i wont be in my granny all that much except for climbs…and dropping to granny probably only for the real steep climbs. Is that 2 tooth difference going to be that noticable

If you're going with the 2x10, go for the 24/38 as it will provide the greatest range of gears and will have less overlapping of gears.

Most likely won't matter which crankset you go with. Go smaller though as youwill probably want the reduced gearing for spinning up longer climbs.

New 2x10 systems are great on a hard tail, as it doesn't matter which chainring you are in. Don't go 1x10 regardless of what nipple-nose above said, your knees, lungs, quads, heart and head will hate you. You want to get out there and have fun and enjoy yourself, not destroy yourself

I've got a set of 40/28 XT rings brand new for sale if you're worried about spining out though;)

i guess just get either one and try it out. if its not right just buy another set of rings . Now with the the 2 x 10 setup i will need a med rear derailer.. Looks like i'm going full xt on this build. The new xt brakes are supposed to be amazing . and now blackspire has come out with a new bashguard specifically for the xt 2 x 10

Nice. The XTs are a nice brake, I liked them after I rode them, enough to make me want to switch to Shimano brakes.

I'd be surprised if you needed to switch chainrings, unless you went to a completely different setup. sounds like from your needs 1x10 isn't needed. I run it and I wouldn't recommend it for you

24 for sure