eschelar

Strange. I was always under the impression that if something works better for reasons of engineering, you can't change that simply by marketing. I can't really see how a 1x11 is going to create a superior drive system. As anyone should know, increasing the angle at which the chain interacts the drive train never really makes a better system mechanically. There's a reason that you don't ride the small (or big) ring in the front and in the back. It puts the chain at a disadvantage. Using a single ring on the front gets rid of weight from extra rings and the front mech, but putting 11 in the back is questionable logic unless you are going to almost never use the extreme rings. Don't get me wrong, I've run 1x setups before for commuters and runaround bikes, but unless you are using the bike for a single purpose (ie DH), flat roads, it's not really all that practical. FWIW, I've been happily running 3x9 systems for nearly 20 years. I also ran a 1x7 for a while and have a belt drive runabout. Also, I find it amusing that the article says "it's hard to imagine a better design for a front mech". 10 or 12 years ago, Shimano had an XTR front mech with spacing that adjusted itself throughout the range. This made it possible to have different dimensions at different points in its movement range. While it didn't really make a huge difference, that's a design that could give better front shifting if it wasn't so expensive in parts. The benefit did not outweigh the cost, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be better.

Interesting article. I always like seeing well presented factory articles. I've got to say though, I've never really been impressed by ODI's innovation. When I think grips, I always think Ergon. I have RSI in my wrists and I haven't been able to enjoy a ride with a regular round grip for a long time. So I use the broad palm supports that actually fit the shape of my hand and spread the load. To me, that's innovation. Producing an endless variation of colors and treads that really don't do anything except rub off after a few months really doesn't scream "innovation" to me. At least not "good" innovation.