I'm thinking of removing the front mech from my Orange Blood and fitting a Superstar chain Plasma chain device.
I've done my local routes round Darwen Tower and Rivi and have managed to not use the granny so figure I should be ok. I've got 34T chain ring and 11-34 cassette. (I've also go a Five SE for longer rides).
Has anyone else removed the front mech and either regretted it or it's changed their life*?
Also, what colour should I get for a Neon Green Blood?
*maybe.
I'd feel more comfortable with a 36t ring.
Why not buy the E.13 DRS? I've ran a couple of those and they are ace. Pricey, but allows you to keep running 2 chainrings. I've never dropped a chain.
Having a single up front is nice though. You do find the right geat much more quickly.
Could you not give it a go, and if you don't like it swap back?
Yes, I'm quite prepared to 'give it a go', but it will still cost me £35 so just thought I'd check first.
I removed my front mech at Christmas and fitted an MRP MiniG2 and yes, it changed my life. Girls smile and blow kisses, people beep and wave to me as I'm riding along the road being 'rad', birds sing when I ride past and next week I'm marrying Kylie on a Carribean island and Dannii has already asked for a threesome.
Removing your front mech is brill.
You'll be fine. But unless you ride flat trails, have legs like pistons or don't mind pushing then stick a 32t on the front. If you pedal downhill you are trying too hard ?
Loving Davey's comments!
Yep,ditched my front mech three years ago and haven't looked back since. I run 32t front and recently went 11-36t at the back. That combination get's me up most things that I could reasonably expect to pedal up anyway.
Going down, on a 32t front, you will spin out at about 20mph (which would be about 90rpm). It really depends on where and how you ride but personally, around the Peak District, I find that 20mph is more than fast enough for me.
One thing I would recommend is fitting an e13 XCX guide, the one with just the top part rather than a full guide. A full guide introduces a lot of drag into the system and you do notice this on a trail bike.
I've tried the MRP 1x9 guide and it's not great TBH; the backplate is too flexy so if you do drop the chain, rather than it hooking back on, it can force it's way down between the back plate and the chain ring.