I wasn't sure where to post this but I figured the single speed forum was a good place to start.

I have just changed my gearing from 44CW-20FW to 34CW-15FW to pick up clearance for some off road riding. Lucky me, I dropped some weight in the process. Why don't more people opt for smaller gears if you can get similar/identical gear ratios just by making your chainring and freewheel smaller? Is there a benefit to having larger sprokets?