If I go for a loop from my house, I will use 22:32, and 44:11 at some point.
I'd prefer to not hit any tarmac, but it's part of the ride, so I don't see why I should reduce my gear range.
Judging from the trail centres I've been to trail centre gearing is 1×9/10. Never get steep enough climbs for small gears really.
Yep. I only use my granny because I'm lazy. I can get up the climbs in 1×9 if I really want to and have started doing this more as it feels better and the climbs go quicker.
Although just for curiosities sake, if you did go for something like a 26/38 with an 11-34 or 11-36, you are losing less then one gear on both sides, so its not really reducing your gear range by anything you'd notice.
Just switched to 40 x 28 with 11-34. Definately don't really miss the extra ring. Small adjustment to front mech is all that is required along with the rings and some new chainring bolts. Get the full range of the cassette on the 40.
so its not really reducing your gear range by anything you'd notice.
Hmmmmm, 36:11 is what? Something like 85GI, 44:11 is about 104GI, doesn't sound much but over the ground it's something like 5ft with one pedal stroke.
I can see the potential in less duplicate ratios, but as nickc says that jump from 44t makes a big difference.
With a SB8 on the rear I cruise on the road in 44:15 or 13 on the flat, so I want something extra for downhills. Hence my moderate troll idea of it being trail centre gearing.
It does reduce your gear range, which seems like a step backwards to me.
