1x Mech to 1x Elec

2023 was a big year for my gravel bike. I fully overhauled the setup and the bike feels brand new.

In 2019 I bought Clay’s Moots Routt to start getting into Gravel and Cyclocross. Over the past four years I had tinkered with minor changes:

• Adding a Wolftooth derailleur extender and a bigger cassette / chain for an increased gear range

• Various cyclocross or gravel tires

• Handlebar tape

• Swapping 165mm Ultegra cranks w/ 172.5mm Dura-Ace cranks from one of my other bikes

This year I decided to do a bigger drive chain overhaul and go fully electronic. I have been super happy with the changes to make the Routt to a 1x Mullet setup. Super happy with the result and build out by Acme Bicycles Co.

Photo Credit: Scott Rettino

Ride Thoughts

Pros

• Smooth riding - the combination of the new electronic gearing, bottom bracket, and freehub has the entire drive chain running smooth

• Bigger range - the prior gearing left me struggling at each end of the spectrum e.g. gearing wasn’t big enough to go 25+ mph or small enough for more than 8% grade

• Less cables - the electronic setup means I have a cleaner look w/ only brake line cables

Cons

• Sensitive gearing - the range is so polarizing that slight adjustments mean I can’t fully shift into all gears. At Farmer’s Daughter this past year rough riding led to a limit screw coming loose and I was unable to shift into my smallest gear ratio halfway into the race

• Tire clearance - I wasn’t expecting to get increased tire clearance with the changes I made, so this is generally a complaint that the frame still maxes out at 40mm tires

• Battery removal - the derailleurs battery follows the typical SRAM clip-in, however it has an extra cage around it that is difficult to remove

Parts List

Drive chain

• SRAM Rival 1 AXS Wide Power Meter Crankset - 172.5mm 12-Speed 40t 8-Bolt Direct Mount DUB Spindle Interface Black D1

• SRAM ETAP/AXS BATTERY

• AM BB DUB English/BSA (55mm Chainline) 68/73mm

• Chain PC GX Eagle Solid Pin 126 links PowerLock Flowlink 12 speed

• SRAM Rival eTap AXS HRD Shift/Brake Lever and Hydraulic Disc Caliper - Right/Rear, Flat Mount 20mm Offset, 1800mm Hose, Black, D1

• SRAM Rival eTap AXS HRD Shift/Brake Lever and Hydraulic Disc Caliper - Left/Front, Flat Mount 20mm Offset, 950mm Hose, Black, D1

• SRAM GX Eagle AXS Rear Derailleur - 12-Speed, Long Cage, 52t Max, Lunar

Wheels/Brakes

• SRAM Rotor Centerline X Road 2 Piece CenterLock 160mm Black Rounded

• SRAM GX Eagle XG-1275 Cassette - 12-Speed, 10-52t, Black, For XD Driver Body

• Wolftooth Post Mount - Flatmount Adapters

• Panaracer GravelKing SS Tire - 700 x 38 Tubeless Folding Black

• SRAM XDR FREEHUB KIT SS 176/177 

Handlebars

• Enve Bar Tape 250cm, 3.0mm Grey

• ENVE Composites SES AR Drop Handlebar - Integrated, Compact, 44/49cm, 31.8 Clamp, Black

Other

• Power Pro Mirror Saddle blk 143 143mm