Tempted to revert a 3x9 geared set up back to 1x9 primarily for a bit of a weight saving 😳
Is it worth upping the front chainring to make better use of the rear cassette?
Its [s]fairly[/s] really flat around here and I find I only probably use 5 gears max 😕 when in the middle (32t) ring.
Upping it to 34t or 36t would I guess use the spread of gears better (11-32) block.
Am I talking gibberish or is there anything in this?
Bump for the night folks
I run a 34t with a 11-36 block and I'm running 10 speed. You may find you will need the 36t but have aplay and see how it goes, especially as you say it's flat.
If you intend to use in a fairly flat area then yes I think I would
Ive got 34T, 11-32T (were cheap at the time) on my XC Hardtail which gets used in flatter local to not 'national park'* steep/high hills terrain, though rarely for more than 3hours
It takes a fairly steep, long, or loose/techy up for it to become unrideable, though some determination is required
If you've not really got a lot of steep/long climbing to do, then a 34,36 or bigger chainring would give better road gearing, and spread yhou typical 5 gears of wear higher up the block onto higher tooth number sprockets, hopefully making it last longer.
If its really gloopy/muddy out (depends on your local mud?) then you might want a spinnier gear?
Bigger chainring will weigh a little more though
Well I run a 34:16T single speed if that helps in suffolk. 34-11 seems fine to me on flatish ground.