Yes the small chain ring should work fine. The one danger (and its really not a danger) is that your rear deraileur will not be able to take up chain slack if you ever tried to use the small chain ring with the smaller cogs in the rear (this something you should try to avoid anyway because it involves a cross positioning of your chain. Try that small small combination to see if it causes problems if you accidentally arrive at it, and if its a problem you can avoid that combination or take some links from the chain (if you can do so without jeopardizing the big big combination (also to be avoided). I hope this helps. tom