single or double?

[one piece crank]

I'm building a trail bike for my 11yo. He is a true BMX'r at heart, and loves to stand and hammer. He'll ride some trails, hit the pump track and fire road stuff on his 20" race bike. We've passed on harder trails due to gearing limitations of a flip flop hub. His brother is the opposite - a true spinner and loves his lower gears on the tough stuff.

So I'm not sure if I should build this new ride 1x9 or 2x9.

Any suggestions for a central-NJ/Eastern-PA set-up?

Tom P.

 

[MikeP]

I'm building a trail bike for my 11yo. He is a true BMX'r at heart, and loves to stand and hammer. He'll ride some trails, hit the pump track and fire road stuff on his 20" race bike. We've passed on harder trails due to gearing limitations of a flip flop hub. His brother is the opposite - a true spinner and loves his lower gears on the tough stuff.

So I'm not sure if I should build this new ride 1x9 or 2x9.

Any suggestions for a central-NJ/Eastern-PA set-up?

Tom P.

what wheel size bike? My daughter is 11 and rides my wife's old Trek 930. Upgraded it to a new X7 drivetrain with a 11-34 cassette. Didn't change the cranks out so it's still a triple but she stays in the middle ring 99% of the time. The simplicity of 1x9 might be nice and maybe all he'll need.

 

[one piece crank]

24" wheels. I'm going single, and maybe play with the tooth count if needed.

Thanks,
Tom P.

 

[dhunt8705]

for younger kids, i have always found keeping it a little simplier makes the riding experience much better. i say go with 1x9. go with an 11-34 cassette in the rear - that should offer a good range of gear options.