whats your choice for the front crankset, for what kind of riding and why?

discuss:

2 rings.

I never used my 44T. Bashguard has proved itself far more useful.

1 ring with chainguide for all riding.

Reasons: simpler, quieter, looks cleaner.

Three rings... because ....I have seen no need to modify the default settings?


Admittedly I have a bash guard on my freeride bike. And I'm not sure I've ever used the small ring on my XC bike... i think if my granny ring was stolen it would take me weeks or months to notice.

My hardtail served me as both a commuter and a XC ride so I kept the 3 rings plus a bashguard. I am now building a FS that will serve only XC duties and will go with a 2-ring setup with a bashguard.

3 rings.. its hilly where i live.. although I rarely use the granny.

currently running 2 rings + bash. (got a DRS on backorder that should hopefully be on its way soon).

mostly use the middle ring, but like the granny there for some of the short steep climbs where i ride when i don't feel like walking up .

3 rings but i try to stay out of the granny as much as possible. sometimes i feel weak and need to put it in the granny, so i keep it on. i don't really have any need for a bashguard.

i have bikes with both 2 & 3, bashguards on both set ups as well

Most don't go to the trouble, but there are many chain ring sizes to choose from...my wife's FS has a 22/38 which eliminates the need for the 44 and when combined with her 11/34T 9 spd cog set it climbs like a goat

why not try exploring some front and rear combinations...see what works best for you

one. because i never use the rest anyway.

Double with a bash. Keep thinking about ditching the granny, but I'm fat and slow and will keep it until I'm fitter and stronger!

3 rings, I never use the 22t ring(exceptions would include extremely steep uphill, which I rarely encounter). I use the largest and second largest.

I'd have 4 if they made such a thing but I stick with 3 as thats the most options they currently make.
I like choices and "its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it" to me.
bent a few teeth on the big ring today hopping a fallen tree.

1 ring : 18t

Two with a bash guard and a really crazy set up on my SS.......one in front.

Have 3, use 2. I don't think I've ever used the biggest ring in front while on the dirt (I use it when I'm on the road). I'm in the middle ring 99% of the time and there is only one short, steep, section where I've used the little ring.

2 with a bashgaurd and tensioner...been thinking of ditching the granny and tossing on a guide, but I'll admit I still need it on the climbs at times.

Three rings. "minus one" Gotta watch out for that third ring...


DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE!!!..................

no rings, coast it up the hills

One ring... and one cog in the back.

2 rings with bash guard and have really considered going to just 1 since I"ve not used my small ring in months.

Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring BANANA PHONE!!!

I use 3 rings 44/32/22 though I wouldn't mind using some sort of bash guard in place of the big ring.

common guys, you missed the parts about what type of riding, why you made your choice and of course the 'discuss' part. this isn't a survey, i'd like to see some discusion about why your chainring choice suites your needs.

my cross country bikes have three. these get riddin almost exclusivly at pine haven up in michigan. lots of rolling steep hills where i frequently need the granny gear to top out on them and get in the big ring on the way down.

however now i'm building a bike for some urban stuff around chicago, which with a change of tires can be my trail bike on our local trails, maybe even some playtime and dirtjumping at CPX. i'm thinking i would like to do a 1x9 and run a chainguide/bashring setup, but i'm not entirely sure about it.

i, and i think many of us could benifit from some shared experience and discusions on this topic.

For my XC riding I never needed the big ring but because I used my hardtail for commuting, I was always on the big ring.

I'm building a dedicated XC bike right now and decided against the big ring for the above reason. I also know that I will gain higher ground clearance by removing the big ring and replacing it with a bashguard. I'll likely go with one of the plastic ones as they apparently slide over obstacles better than the AL ones do.

Three rings, I am still "granny gear dependent", my goal is not to dismount! I mostly use the middle ring on descent and the largest one for the road.