Originally Posted by
FixedFiend626
Running a 11-32 9-spd cassette with 32c Compass tires set to 65. Def not changing out the 42 as I use it most of the time. I guess I see what youre saying but why keep a ring on that I only very rarely actually use whereas a 46 would get used continuously?
The only advantage I see is that the 42 with 46 is kind of a "half step" gearing. So you could shift the front to get a gear halfway between. But normally that's not really worth the effort of a front shift.
Here's your proposed setup attached below. 32c tires. 30-42-46. 11-32 9-speed.
46 chainring in blue. For the same gear and cadence, this is
only about 2 mph faster at 20 mph, and
1 mph faster at 10 mph than the 42 ring. It essentially covers the same range as the 42.
42 chainring in black.
30 chainring in red.