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Box Components Refines Flagship Box One 9-Speed Drivetrain

Written by Ron Frazelle
Box Components Box One rear derailleur mounted from the sidePhoto c. R. Frazelle
28 Comments
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Regarding how many gears you need on your mountain bike, Southern California’s Box Components has been preaching “nine is fine” for some time now. And the latest refinements to their 9-speed, ultra-wide range flagship group, Box One, showcase the company’s commitment to the “less is more” train of thought.

While the Box One chain remains unchanged, the shifter, rear derailleur, and cassette bring some substantial new advancements to their wide-range 9-speed group.

Let’s see what’s new.

Box One Shifter 2nd Gen

Box Components Box One shifter from the top
Photo c. R. Frazelle
Box Components Box One shifter mounted from front
Box Components Box One shifter mounted

The new Box One shifter has been refined with the following features:

  • Metal injection gears: Tougher and harder which increases service life and offers crisper feedback when shifting.
  • Magnesium top shell: The new shell adds strength without adding weight. Box says this also adds to crisper feedback.
  • Magnesium pull-lever: Adds strength without adding weight offering a stiffer lever for crisper shift feedback.
  • No-loss gear changes: Immediate engagement with shorter & faster gear pulls
  • Tactile pull-lever pad: Box says the increased friction means no more missed gears

Box One Rear Derailleur 2nd Gen

Box Components Box One rear derailleur
Box Components Box One rear derailleur mounted from the side

The following improvements have been added to the new generation of Box One rear derailleurs:

  • New geometry: 100% horizontal actuation means lighter ger pulls and less ghost shifting
  • Tri-Pack 2.0 clutch larger discs and finer threads: Increased torque and adjustability equate to less chain slap and easier set-up.
  • Set-up management: Out-of-sight cable, cable pully and adjustment screws, and laser B-gap mark equals clean and simple set-up
  • Wide offset cage: More pully offset and cage surface makes for tougher cage and snappy shifting
  • titanium hardware: Strength, corrosion resistance, and less weight lead to a longer service life

Box One 2nd Gen Cassette

Box Components Box One rear cassette
Box Components Box One rear cassette side angle
Box Components Box One one piece cassette on bike

When talking with Toby Henderson about the new cassette, he mentioned that the new cassette has a machined all-steel unibody lattice, with the support disc being made of alloy. It also has a:

  • Brand new tooth shape: Exact fit radii for Prime 9 chain rollers means much higher load capacity and longer service life
  • New tooth profile: Wider leading edge also yields a much higher load capacity and longer service life
  • New hardening process: 2x harder than Gen1 which also contributes to higher load capacity and longer component life span
  • New shift ramps: Adjusted shape and position means crisp and fast shifting

The new group isn’t quite ready for sale, but it’s coming soon. For more info on future pricing and availability for the new 2nd gen Box One hit the link below.

BoxComponents.com

Ron Frazelle
Ron Frazelle
464 articles

Ron Frazelle is the Cycling Lifestyle Editor for Bikerumor, he has been writing about bicycles and the cycling way of life for 7+ years. Prior to Bikerumor, he worked in the bicycle industry, living and breathing bicycles since 1995. He is based in Anaheim, California, Frazelle is an avid cyclist of all disciplines, camper, father to 6 children, husband, musician and self-proclaimed retro-grouch.

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28 Comments
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Exodux
Exodux
11 months ago

Is 9 gears really enough? for DH maybe, using a close ratio cassette. But for everything else, no, 11-12 speed is way better, especially with todays 1x systems.
Not sure how big the market is, but if you can make 9 speed, you can make 10-11-12 speed just as easily.

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Sean G
Sean G
11 months ago
Reply to  Exodux

For an e bike a more durable 9spd is probably the way to go. I’m presuming that durability & reliability might be reasons to go back to 9spd? And considering what 9spd parts are coming out of the box from other manufacturers (seems like low quality out-sourced stuff now) box 9 might be able to break into the kids bike/school program bike market?

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Veganpotter
Veganpotter
11 months ago
Reply to  Sean G

The thing is, 9sp isn’t more durable. All the metallurgical advancements since 9sp have only gone into later tech with nobody putting it into older chain standards. You’ll also be in each cog longer.

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damigguds
damigguds
11 months ago
Reply to  Exodux

Apparently you have not looked into the system. I’ve bee watching over the years and the progression. Just an FYI the system is actually 9 speed with the cassette ratio of a 11-12 speed. In short its a big 50 tooth cassette which is the same on a 11 or 12 speed. Less cassette most likely mean less weight or less chain skipping. To me that sounds reasonable and less hassle. Everyone at Sea Otter was incredibly hyped about this products. Exodux don’t be a sellout when you have the info all wrong. Nice try. Just so you know they made the 10 speed and 12 speed why compete with Shimano and Sram (issues). Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

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Exodux
Exodux
11 months ago
Reply to  damigguds

Oh I’ve tried it. Tried running 1x back in the 90’s. I realize that there is the same gear spread, but the jumps between gears are what I see as a deal breaker. I came into the sport when 5 speed freewheels were still common and I appreciated all the advancements since.
Maybe it’s intended purpose is for kids or ebikes, but still a 10-11-12, IMO, would still be better and not that much more money to produce.

I do wish Box well and I know some of the Box people. Not knocking the company, I’m just way past 9 speed from any company.

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myke
myke
11 months ago
Reply to  Exodux

1x in the 90’s is entirely different than today’s 1x systems(a bit of base.) The system has a lot of things going for it. More robust components, lighter, cheaper. If you complain about big shift jumps, Shimano and Sram still suffer from that issue. Yes, the jumps are not as bad but the market this is for does not care.

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Cyclingengr
Cyclingengr
11 months ago
Reply to  myke

I agree. This looks perfect for my commuter bike! I live on a steep hill and need super-low gears to get home. Slightly wider jumps aren’t a big deal for getting to work. Might work for gravel, too.

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Troy
Troy
11 months ago
Reply to  Exodux

Exodux, I don’t think you understand the benifits of this system. More “speeds” is not always better. Currently I run 12spd with a 10-45 cassette on my ebike, you literally don’t need dinner plate sized gears as that means bigger mech cage and more broken mechs. More speeds also means smaller gaps between gears so on ebikes you change gears a crazy amount of times.

The next logical step is less gears so you shift far less often. I had already looked into switching out my 12spd to an older standard like 10spd but this looks to be a winner right here. Until internal gearbox motors become the norm, this is the next best option.

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Exodux
Exodux
11 months ago
Reply to  Troy

You’re mistaken, I totally understand. More gears usually means tighter gaps between gears, its really easy to understand. A 9 speed 10-50 cassette are going to have jumps that you’re going to be compromising on which gear to use, whereas 11-12 speed,( and 10 speed )your compromises are much less.
9 speed with a cassette smaller than 32t, the issue goes away a bit.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t like compromises when I’m shifting.
BTW, my 12 speed has given no more problems than any other 5-11 speeds have given me, plus, the “dinner plate” cogs you mention are used on this and other 9 speed systems…no?

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myke
myke
11 months ago
Reply to  Exodux

I am unsure what point you are trying to make. If we are discussing maintaining cadence, 36-42-52 are huge jumps from the rest of the cogs.

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Exodux
Exodux
11 months ago
Reply to  myke

Yes…but the gaps are way bigger with less gears. Is this really that hard to understand?
Go with your 9 speed, if it works for you, great!
Personally, I’m over rigid bikes, hardtails, cantilever brakes, narrow bars, toe clips, rigid seatposts and backwards tech on gearing.

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FrictionDi2
FrictionDi2
11 months ago
Reply to  Exodux

9 speed uses a more robust chain and gaps between gears have a greater tolerance. I run 1×9 on all my bikes. If you are a cadence junkie then by all means have a 20 gear cassette but 9 speed is for the proletariat.

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Exodux
Exodux
11 months ago
Reply to  FrictionDi2

I get that if it works for you. I do appreciate having the right gear for each situation, as I do spin a higher cadence then most and I see large gaps as cadence killers.
To be honest, I’ve broken more 8-9 speed chains then 10-11-12 speed chains though.

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NotMeAtAll
NotMeAtAll
11 months ago
Reply to  FrictionDi2

I’m running 9 speed for 5 years now, on a road bike and a mtb, 52 and 32 tooth respectively.

At first the jumps between the gears were a pain, but after 3 months I was adapting and spreading my power throughout the cadence needed for the range.

Not gonna lie, on the road there is a need for closer steps, i’m looking at 2×9 at 39×52 and 11/40. Might not do this because the bike is looking sick! but yeah, some of the faster gears have a bigger power draw jump between them because of air resistance alone.

But for MTB? I’ll stay with my one thumb push for half of the cassete prep for a out of nowhere incline.

9s Ztto 11/50 cassete, 9s sram x5 shifter, SLX 11s rear derailleur and YBN 10s chain.
on the road, 9s 11/50 sunrace cassete, 9s sunrace m9 rear derailleur, Sensah 9s ignite brifters, 10s ybn chain.

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BIKEFX
BIKEFX
11 months ago

YES NINE IS FINE.
AND MUCH CHEAPER for every single part.
Love this mantra.
LESS IS MORE!

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TypeVertigo
TypeVertigo
11 months ago

Nice to see an 11-50T spread over just nine cogs. The cadence jumps are going to be huge, especially at the larger/easier end, but I don’t think most of the target audience will mind.

I hope this does well. More options is always better. Box (on their website) says compatibility with other 9-speed chains is guaranteed, although carries more risk of chain drop.

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Mikeb
Mikeb
11 months ago
Reply to  TypeVertigo

I’ve been running the Box Two on my Hardtail for a couple of years now.
I love the spacing on the cassette. The shifter is a little rough, but works ok.
The derailleur is ok. The chainline is the straightest out of all my bikes and is easiest to set up. I just wish the shifter was like my XT 11 speed.
FYI- you wouldn’t r7n a 11-50 tooth for downhill!

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Mikeb
Mikeb
11 months ago
Reply to  TypeVertigo

Sorry tvertigo
didnt mean to respond to you

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Hamjam
Hamjam
11 months ago

I like that you can get a lightweight cassette for a reasonable amount of money. I do not like the feel of a heavy cassette.

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Johnny
Johnny
11 months ago

This drivetrain will probably be found on mostly mechanic’s bikes….or anyone not too gullible to believe they need a 12 speed cassette.

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FrictionDi2
FrictionDi2
11 months ago
Reply to  Johnny

Look at what the shop guys ride is what I tell guys that have money burning a hole in their wallets to get the new new

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Hamjam
Hamjam
11 months ago
Reply to  FrictionDi2

Shop guys get a pro deal for an expensive bike and sell it for a profit after 15 rides.

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Raouligan
Raouligan
11 months ago

Really interested to see what weights look like for this, my MTB riding is either winch up steep hills typically lowest two gears, drop down hills higher gears with the odd bit of road in the middle. A lightweight smooth running wide range 9speed group could potentially be great for the offroad riding I do

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Dells1
Dells1
11 months ago
Reply to  Raouligan

I really wanted to like the prime 9 that I ran for 2 years on my stumpy but I was plagued with issues the entire time. I wanted it to work but it just never shifted well and constant adjustments. Went back to the big 2 and have been happy to confirm. Sad that it didn’t work though

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Sean
Sean
11 months ago

I used to use the Box 11-speed drivetrains on all my bikes, and was bummed when they got rid of that line all together. But this new release makes me want to give the 9-speed stuff a try.

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Dockboy
Dockboy
11 months ago

I kind of like how UGLY that derailleur is. They really went all in for boxiness.

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Downtown Bicycle Works
Downtown Bicycle Works
11 months ago

We do a lot of upgrades with the BOX system and we are looking forward to the updates..

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Rich Wolf
Rich Wolf
8 months ago

I bought a 9 speed box drivetrain for my Ti hardtail.
Terrible!
Gaps too big, hard to remove rear wheel, stiff shifter and the chain broke on me leaving me stranded. I thought it was the quick link but two side plates had cracked.
They sell their 9 speed set up as being more robust and reliable but it is anything but!
Back to shimano , or micro shift for me along with Sunrace cassettes.

1
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