Hi all,

My current chainset consists of a 30, 39, and 52 teeth chainring. I am considering installing an internally geared hub, and have been looking at ratios between chainring and rear cog.

I am also planning on buying a 9 speed cassette and trying a single chainring up front in the meantime.

My question is, as far as I can see, if I want a chainring 39 teeth or smaller, I have to install it to the inside of the spider. It doesn't look particularly neat, which isn't really a problem, but will it be secure mechanically? Do the three chainrings need to be bolted together to be secure?

Also, I don't think I could go much lower than 39 teeth in the current middle ring position. Can I use the bottom ring position? Will I encounter chainline issues in either the IGH or rear cassette single chainring scenario? What do people normally do in this circumstance?


Thanks in advance!

Ron