Originally Posted by
nfmisso
One of my commuters is a 1 x 9 (44 x 12-36); no trouble accessing all nine in back, so unless your chain stays are really short, the middle ring should be able to access all nine in back - if the middle ring is centered on the middle of the cassette.
Hi Nigel
I agree with you and for myself if I was living in a fairly normal area with minimal steep hills. I would do exactly what you did with a 1x9 (44t front & 12-36t in the back) those look like really nice commuting gears on a light bike. And there is something to be said for the simplicity of a single chain ring.
I think almost all people do most of their riding in a somewhat flat area. The rest of the gearing is about the exception to the rule and if you need it or not. I know people live in mountains and climb hard half the time they ride, but most casual riders that live in areas like that I find load their bike on the car and drive it to a flatter place to go for a ride. I would also say most casual riders wouldn’t find the spacing on the 12-36 to be excessively large. Serious riders would want a finer spacing.
I like your gearing a lot and if I ever move from these hills I will give it a try.
