Yea , several bikes you leave the triple in the middle as is, so essentially have a 1 by with a bail out low gear..

1 I used a 144 BCD chainguard and a 52t middle 36t 3rd, Stinson beach - Mt Tam Hill climber .. I was lighter 30 years ago too.



have a couple with offsets to leave all 3 on .. guard ring outside, the chain watcher goes on the seat tube ..
so the chain only has 3 places to go & all 3 are chainrings..

had one on my touring bike which I occasionally had to drag the loaded bike up stairs , it saves teeth.