Originally Posted by
gilpi
I understand about the cross chaining but I want to get away from using the two outer rings and keep the center which lines up straight with the center of the cassette.
I'd still get a narrow wide chainring just because the last thing you need while going fast is for your chain to drop off the ring. I think it provides insurance. Probably for the most part just using the current middle chainring would be ok but all it takes is one skip off the ring and you could be flying into traffic. This is for riding on the road or light trails which is where I ride my 1x9 hybrid
For a mountain bike there is no way I would ride a 1x system without a narrow wide chain.