1x Drivetrain on a Road Bike: Pros, Cons and Why More Riders Are Making the Switch

1x on a Road Bike. A Trend or the Future?

At Cicli Corsa, we've been watching a shift happen quietly over the past two years. More and more clients — experienced riders, not beginners — are asking us to build their next road bike with a single chainring. Not because it's fashionable. Because they've ridden it, understood it, and decided it's right for them.

This article is our honest take on why 1x drivetrains are gaining serious ground on road bikes, what the real advantages are, where the legitimate questions still lie, and why we believe — for the right rider — it's not a compromise. It's an upgrade.

Where It Started and Why It Matters Now

The 1x drivetrain was born in mountain biking, where simplicity under pressure is not a luxury but a necessity. SRAM brought it to gravel, where it found its natural home — fewer parts, less to go wrong, more confidence on unpredictable terrain.

But road cycling is different. Or so the argument went.

The WorldTour still races predominantly 2x. Front derailleurs still exist. And for years, the conventional wisdom held that 1x on a road bike meant sacrificing range, cadence efficiency, or both.

That argument is now harder to make. The technology has caught up — and in some cases, gone further.

The Real Advantages of 1x on a Road Bike

A cleaner drivetrain is a faster drivetrain.

Removing the front derailleur eliminates a mechanical element, a cable or electronic actuator, and a series of micro-adjustments that even well-maintained setups require over time. Less complexity means fewer failure points and less cognitive load while riding — you shift with one hand and focus on the road.

Aerodynamics.

This is underappreciated. A front derailleur and the associated cable or wire routing creates drag. On an aero frame, removing it is consistent with the overall philosophy of the bike. The line is cleaner, the airflow is less disturbed, and the visual result is something photographers and riders alike notice immediately.

Weight.

One chainring, no front derailleur, simplified shifting mechanism. The numbers vary by configuration, but the direction is consistent: lighter. On a high-end build, every gram saved at the drivetrain is a gram that doesn't need to be recovered elsewhere.

Gear range — solved.

The historic objection to 1x on road was range. A 13-speed cassette with a well-chosen chainring covers terrain that previously required two chainrings. From flat stages to mountain passes, the gaps between gears are small enough that most riders — even competitive ones — no longer notice them.

Simplicity on long rides.

One less thing to think about. For endurance riders, sportive cyclists, and anyone who has ever cross-chained without realising it, 1x removes an entire category of small decisions from the ride.

The Honest Counterarguments

We said we'd be fair. Here they are.

Cadence efficiency at the extremes. In very flat, very fast riding — criteriums, sprint finishes, certain time trial scenarios — a 2x drivetrain can offer gear steps that a 1x cassette doesn't perfectly replicate. For professional racers where every watt over 60 minutes counts, this is a real consideration.

Chain wear. A single chainring works at more extreme angles more often than a double. Cassette and chain wear can be higher, particularly on wide-range cassettes. It's manageable with regular maintenance — but worth knowing.

Not for everyone, not for every ride. A rider who does high-volume training across multiple intensity zones, needs precise cadence control at threshold, and uses every cog of a double might genuinely be better served by 2x. We tell clients this when it's true.

What we don't do is dismiss 1x as a marketing exercise. It isn't.

The Platform That Makes It Work: Campagnolo Super Record and Record 1x13

Much of what makes 1x viable on a road bike at the highest level comes down to the drivetrain. And right now, the Campagnolo 13-speed platform is the most compelling argument for making the switch.

Campagnolo Super Record 13 1x 

Campagnolo Record 13 1x 

The new Campagnolo 13-speed ecosystem — available in both Super Record and Record configurations — was designed from the ground up to work in 1x. Thirteen speeds on a single cassette means gear steps tight enough for road use, with a range wide enough to handle serious climbing.

What sets this platform apart is its compatibility architecture. Super Record and Record components are fully interchangeable within the 13-speed ecosystem — meaning you can mix cassettes, chainrings, and derailleurs across the two tiers to build exactly the configuration your riding demands. Road or gravel orientation, wide or narrow range, integrated power meter or not — the platform adapts to the project, not the other way around.

The shifting performance is among the best we've tested at any price point. Wireless, precise, and with a mechanical character that Campagnolo has refined over decades. The electronic customisation through the Campagnolo app adds a layer of personalisation that makes the system genuinely different from anything else on the market.

For a 1x build on a high-end road frame, this is the drivetrain we recommend most often. And the four builds below show exactly why.

Four Builds. One Conclusion.

Cinelli Aeroscoop — Campagnolo Super Record 1x13 — WTO Ultra 60mm

The Aeroscoop is an aero road frame with a strong visual identity — and a 1x drivetrain fits its philosophy perfectly. No front derailleur means cleaner lines, less drag, and a cockpit area that looks exactly as the designers intended. Paired with Campagnolo WTO Ultra 60mm wheels, this build is fast before the rider even turns a pedal.

Discover the Cinelli Aeroscoop 

De Rosa Merak — Campagnolo Super Record 1x13 — WTO Ultra 60mm

The De Rosa Merak is an endurance road frame built for long days and variable terrain — precisely the conditions where 1x shines. The simplicity of a single chainring removes decisions on climbs and descents, letting the rider focus on effort rather than shifting strategy. The WTO Ultra 60mm wheels add aerodynamic efficiency to a frame already designed for sustained performance.

Discover the De Rosa Merak 

Colnago V5Rs — Campagnolo Super Record 1x13 — WTO Ultra 60mm

The V5Rs is Colnago's WorldTour race platform. Pairing it with a 1x drivetrain is a deliberate statement — performance without redundancy. Every component on this build was chosen to remove friction, mechanical and otherwise. The result is a race bike that responds to input immediately and completely, with nothing between the rider and the road.

Discover the Colnago V5Rs 

Pinarello Dogma F — Campagnolo Super Record 1x13 — ENVE SES Pro 4.5

The Dogma F needs no introduction. What a 1x configuration adds to this frame is coherence — an aero platform with an aero drivetrain, simplified to its essential elements. Campagnolo Super Record 1x13 paired with ENVE SES Pro 4.5 wheels is a combination that rewards riders who want the absolute best, configured without compromise.

Discover the Pinarello Dogma F 

Is 1x Right for You?

The honest answer is: it depends on how you ride, where you ride, and what you value in a drivetrain.

At Cicli Corsa, we don't push configurations. We listen, ask the right questions, and help you arrive at the build that makes sense for your riding — not ours.

If you're curious about 1x, we're happy to talk through the options, the cassette ranges, the chainring sizes, and whether the Campagnolo 13-speed platform — in Super Record or Record configuration — fits your next project.

📩 DM us on Instagram

📱 WhatsApp: +39 375 563 7743

✉️ info@ciclicorsa.com

Or visit ciclicorsa.com to explore our current range of frames, complete bikes, and drivetrain components.