Thinking of going 1x9 since I almost exclusively use my middle ring anyway. Only thing is that I tend to use mostly the low end of my cassette with the 32t ring I have. I would like to try out a 28 or 30 because I think that would have me working more of the middle of my cassette. Of course the problem is a standard 104BCD set of cranks wont take anything less than a 32t ring. Do they make cranks with a different BCD that can take smaller rings? I could just use the location for my small right I guess but that seems like it would really throw off the chain-line.

Links to any recommendations appreciated!

30-tooth ring for 104BCD:

https://andersenmachine.wordpress.com/product-info/

I've heard good reports. You'll need to file some bevels into your crank arms. Read the description at the above link for details.

Another option (but a bit spendy) is one ed posted a couple years ago in this thread - - bolts to the 64bcd granny-ring bosses but spaces it to middle position and allows as small as a 28t. Updated link:

https://www.widgit.com.au/products/wi...-ring-crankset

gennick's suggestion is so freakin' expensive for a middle ring, but I will echo that there are alot of satisfied customers with them.

That thing looks really cool, but like you said, a bit on the expensive side. Do people have any trouble running a 1x from the granny position on the crank? I would think the small end of the cassette would really run into some chain line issues doing that no? Seemed that was the recommendation in the other thread you linked. Perhaps if I just put a 28t on in my granny position and tried running like that without removing my shifting or my 32t I could try it out and see how it works myself.

It does seem an expensive way to loose only two teeth.

Cheaper way to go would be an HG61 12-36 cassette.



Something I've seen Scrublover do is throw a 28t granny and a jumpstop or box guide on it to keep the chain on.

Hey that HG61 looks pretty slick! Perhaps that with my current 32t middle ring will do the trick!

The jump stop and bash guard I would do anyway, but on the inside ring even though it will keep the chain on OK I would think it would still be at an awfully sharp angle when on the smallest cog in the back.