yea, it goes faster, feels smoother, just nice. I wouldn't choose a 48 for a 1x9 set up, but it has its place in time. I assume you commute in a metropolitan area, right? Lots of stop lights? What I would do is practice shifting gears between the middle and the big ring. It's much more efficient than switching gears in smaller increments from the back. When you start off, be in the middle...once you get rolling, switch to the 48, when you a stop coming, switch back down to the middle. I also like the big chain ring for treading, I mean, going at very low speeds...low cadence, of course...but it's a lot more stable feeling...just stand up in the pedals and pedal as needed. I'm not doing a very good job of selling the big chain ring, but it really is pretty cool. =/