Originally Posted by
opusbike
In mountain biking, the 1 x 8/9/etc is becoming more popular. I am wondering why I haven't heard of anyone going to 3 x 1 (3 speed in front, one in rear). Can this be done?
Rear shifts are much faster and tolerate shifts under power much better than front shifts. Rear shifts tend to be mechanically more reliable.
You also need some sort of thing to take up chain slack. Which means you'd have something "springy" in the rear even if there was no rear shifting.
Originally Posted by
opusbike
When I go biking with my kids, I usually don't touch the rear gear, I just change the front one. This avoids me having to keep on shifting.
You aren't really avoiding shifting.
The "best" practice is to minimize front shifts. And to shift the front with large changes in speed.
You should be able to pick a front chain ring and just use the rear.