If I bought a 17t cog (from you) to replace my 16t cog, do you think I would be able to feel an appreciable difference of 5 gear inches or should I maybe go for an 18t? I've been finding that since I ride around a college campus I can't really ever get up to speed and find myself mashing my gear which doesn't feel nice.

And would a 1t difference chance the axles position in the drop out very much (my conversion has pretty small dropouts)?

Thank you sir!