From reading various threads/posts here, as well as my own personal experience, I question the need for multiple chain rings- especially for commuters. Though the weight savings are debatable, having a single chain ring simplifies things... one less moving part that needs adjusting/fixing/replacing.

I mean if you don't use your commuting rig for touring or racing, then why the need?

Since winter kicked in, I've started riding exclusively on my small chainring. That lower range is more useful when fighting snow, slush, and wind. Normally I ride the middle chainring.

Really depends on where you ride too. I live in the mountains, really want a single chainring there? While I could probably get away with it on my commute, I build my bikes to be multi-purpose.

I ride exclusively with my granny gear so when it's time to overhaul the drivetrain I'm pondering switching to a 1X setup.

I'm lazy and I love coasting (downhill, flats, heck even tried coasting uphill). And to be honest, I've never used the middle and big ring unless I'm goofing around.

Been thinking about a 1X setup for a while, but that would require effort and money... maybe when I build a new bike, I will make it with an IGH, or (more likely) a 1X8 setup. Just depends on what I can get my hands on at the time.

I almost exclusively use the big ring on my commuter MTB, even on group rides. Everything is flat here, if I switched to a big cog larger than 25T I could easily lose the granny and middle rings, cause I just don't use 'em.

I ride exclusively on my big ring (42) and rarely use the two lowest gears on the 11-32 8 spd cassette. And I do like to coast downhill.

I've inquired about converting to a 1x setup at the LBS. Though doable, it would mean swapping out the cranks and bottom bracket as well. (Note to self: next bike, ensure the chain ring(s) are bolted- not riveted!)

My commuter is my beater, so I need the triple. While I could do it, I don't think I will as it will limit what I could do with it.

Especially so since it is geared perfectly for towing my trailer and kid. That adds about 50-60 pounds, which makes the bike too heavy to get going on the middle chainring. Otherwise, I save the granny gear for climbing the bumps I live near (really steep bumps).

My 1x8 internal gear hub is pretty much the same thing. I imagine over time we will see more of this as an option for commuters as opposed to the traditional cassette/derailleur setup.

I would never neuter a bike that has a working FD setup, but starting from scratch I don't think it's a bad idea, really... the FD is pretty robust so I think it's spurious to remove it while leaving the RD out back if simplicity is the goal. FD maintenance and tweaking is pretty easy.

Building up a new bike with a 1x9 would give a good range I think, I used my commuter as a 1x9 for a long time and it was adequate.

I commute on my road bike. Standard double - 53/39 in the front and 12-27T in the back - I use every one of those gears. There are a few 10% grade hills and 31 miles round trip. Fitness is an objective and time is limited, so I generally don't coast unless I run out of gears or an intersection/stop/sharp turn is ahead. Generally only ride in fair weather.

My daughter busted the gear shift lever for the FD on her cheap, big box store MTB. I removed the shifter and cable, moved the derailler to the middle ring, and adjusted the stops so it wouldn't move. Voilà; a 1 x 7.

Therein lies the rub: not wanting to eliminate perfectly functioning equipment just please one's sense of aesthetic. Yet, not everyone desires/requires a double or triple crankset. It would be nice if manufacturers would offer the frame and fork of some of their more popular models, like the Specialized Sirrus, Trek FX, and so on for those that like that type of geometry, but want a more basic range of gears.

I built a 1x9 on a commuter frame using old MTB parts for simplicity, cost consideration, and vanity.

Really, I should have just bought a new single-speed (capable) crankset, because nobody seems to stock chainrings for my 4-arm cranks, much less non-pinned/ramped chainrings. I get more derailments than I would like, so the next cheapest solution is to get one of those dog fang chain guide things.

I built a 1x8 cross setup for commuting using a singlespeed crankset and some leftover MTB parts. Took a little trial and error to get the BB width correct but it shifts flawlessly. The only oddball thing is I'm getting a bit of chain slap when coasting although removing a link may solve that.


IMG_2268 by N. Paglia, on Flickr

My Brompton got a new crankest, the 2nd gear is planetary, so chain never leaves the chain-ring,
But when low gear in the 3 speed is a bit too tall, I do a double shift,
engage reduction gear [heel button on crank center]
and flipping 3 speed trigger HB lever, into high ratio, is the next lower gear..

2 planetary gears .. chain stays put.

for My Rohloff Bike I bought a Surly Stainless steel ring, a 110 38t ..an excellent product.
16t on hub , 26" wheel ... both bikes have the same low ratio, now. ~ 17" ish

You have 104mm 4-arm cranks? I've seen a few places that stock non-ramped rings for those, I think... will have to dig and see.

(EDIT)
Something like this?
https://www.ebikestop.com/raceface_si...lue-CR5230.php

1x8:


1x7:

Whenever I ride, I use at least the two larger rings. Don't use the small ring when commuting, but need it for hills.
Several bikes ago, I did ride a C-Dale hybrid for several years with a 1x7, then 1x8 setup.
For some folks and some kinds of riding, a single ring setup is fine.
Other, including me, appreciate and use a wide range of gearing, however that is achieved.

SURLY 1X1 CONVERTED TO A 1X7.


In the summer it serves as my trail bike. Right now I'm getting it ready
to be my winter bike when it gets really bad out. I'm still working on studding
out a pair of 2.5 WTB Prowlers.

3 seasons:


Winter:


My third bike is a full time commuter go anywhere bike that is 3x9, I really like the triple for on the road.

My guess is they are all in the SS/FG i use most of my 24 speeds, no way you'll catch me trying to heave up hills with my gear on a single speed everyday

I all depends on your commute type and length and what else you do with your commuter bike. I tried 1x9 at first with my commuter and I found that with heavy load, at the end of the day, going up the bridge, I was sometimes wishing for another chainring. I started running errands after work, picking up groceries, etc. So I've put the middle chainring back, and while at it, I've figured I might as well put the granny gear back on.

Now, in Winter, riding 30psi studded tires I'm only using the middle chainring.

Even the granny gear came to use. After the last week's blizzard, when my car was buried I went to BJ's (a club like Costco) by bike to do some real shopping. The problem is the store is in the low level of a mall with a steep, long ramp. Every time I drove there I was wondering how it'd be on a bike. So I finally found out and I needed a granny gear to haul two large panniers and a milk crate full of groceries up that ramp.

Adam

I rode single speed for about a year and yeah, it was inadequate for my commute: it lacked both the top speed needed for my morning home run along 1st ave and on a hard day it was too much to press up the bridges' ramps. Then I had a 4 speed IGH and that was quite adequate until it died. Then I figured I'm gonna stop screwing around and went back to the traditional derailleur and never looked back.

Sweet lookin' rig you got there. How're those Mary bars for off road riding?

Surly Cross-Check with flat bars (Velo-Orange Milan), 42t single chainring and 11-32t 9-speed cassette 1x9 setup. Held steady by a Paul Chain Keeper.

36 to 104 gear inches is PLENTY for commuting, grocery runs, pub crawls, cruising, running errands, etc. (this is my "everything" bike).