42x18 - no wonder you're so slow on the flats.
so get a bigger chainring or smaller cog. $15-$60. Problem solved.
I thought your entire point was to blow by ss riders on the flats and downhill?
If it's now simplicity, robustness, speed and being unique... well you failed on 3 of the 4.
Just because you're an ID doesn't mean it's a good idea.
I'm an ID too, i've had more bad ideas than good- but sure was passionate about it at the time.
Fun to try stuff out and out of the box thinking and maybe this will be a stepping stone and lead to something worth developing.
It's all a process but you also should look at how the compromises outweigh the benefits and if it's actually an improvement at all.
just my lame opinion