Originally Posted by
thook
I'd thought about doing the 8spd set up, but I want to keep a wide range between low and high and still keep cog spacing close for the terrain and smooth as possible shifts. In which case, I considered a 13-32t cassette with a 48-36-24 ring set. But, then the idea of simplifying to the 2x9 keeps taking over...hehe. One ring for most of my riding and also eliminating some gear overlap. Not that it's really a big issue, but still.
On my cross bike, which I use exclusively for cross practice/racing I settled on a 1x8 setup with a 39T chainring and a 11-28 cassette (using Campy Veloce 10-speed brifters.) But I never use the 11T so next season I will be switching to a larger cassette, probably 13-32 if I can find it, or maybe I will settle for 12-30.
You really don't need more than one chainring for cross, but I did have the Campy brifters setup with a 34/46 double for a while with a super old Shimano XT FD and it worked just fine.