Originally Posted by daredevil
Good point. That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for. Thanks. I can put that idea to bed. Now the choice is a single chain ring with a cassette or a regular SS. My problem with an SS is that I live in the mountains and I'm afraid it wouldn't get much use. Just occasional rail trail riding or whatever.
SS with a low enough gear will get you over plenty of hills and you can always coast down. Some people do single chain rings on their cross bikes and commuters. I guess it lets you ditch the front shifter, FD, and chainring, but I don't really see the point. Simplicity for simplicity's sake?