The guy that i commute in with has a Speccy Tricross and has got a bit faster so i'm now struggling in places to keep up on my SS roadrat - can't spin wheels fast enough using 44-17. Just been reading the 1 x 9 thread but think the bashguard,chainguide,chain watchers all look a bit gash and I don't really need 9 mtb spread gears. Wondering if I could run a cut down 9 speed cassette with spacers to make a 5 speed? Presumably with less deviation to the chainline I wouldn't need to worry about it falling off so much.
Any thoughts? Anyone do it?

