3x, 2x, or 1x?

I'm in the market for a new bike. I've been trying to decide which components to go with and even which gearing. I've ridden a 2x10 drive train for the last 2 years and have loved it. The thing I like best is that it is simpler than a triple crank. I definitely like the range of a 3x10, but I hardly use the full range. With SRAM's XX1 group, simplicity is taken up a notch, or maybe down because smaller numbers are simpler. This is the route I'm convinced I should go. Having a much wider ratio cassette but combining it with only one ring and making it very difficult to drop a chain makes me think I'll spend more time riding and less time messing with my bike.

 Here's a video that talks more about XX1. If you have more questions you can stop in to The Bike Shoppe and ask, I've been trying to find a way to talk myself out of it for a less expensive kit and so I've researched it and all of it's flaws. Plus you can take a look at it yourself, we have a couple kits there for your viewing pleasure.

Buy Local or Buy Online

Most of us have heard that buying local helps the local economy, but how does it help the consumer making the purchase. This is a good read to help you decide if it's worth your time to go to a local bike shop, gain a relationship with them, and have them help you decide what the best way to increase performance and enjoyment on the bike would be or research endless forums about how to shave 30 grams by re-lacing your wheels with lighter spokes.

Pinkbike's Burning Question: Shop Local or Online?

More Biking in the Snow

Here's another snow bike video. This edit is to appease the critics (Nate and Cody) of the last one. It's shorter and the music is more rock oriented. The next video with still be with fat tires, just not as fat. I'm looking forward to filming that one, you all should look forward to watching it.