Front mech removal?

Hey,
Just wondering, i have a road bike for my general travels, but even on the biggest of hills i come across on it, i will never touch the smaller chainring, would it be more practical to remove it completely along with the derailer? (not a typo)
Cheers,
Sam

www.bigringriding.com

www.bigringriding.com

im scared to click on this...

Hey,
Just wondering, i have a road bike for my general travels, but even on the biggest of hills i come across on it, i will never touch the smaller chainring, would it be more practical to remove it completely along with the derailer? (not a typo)
Cheers,
Sam

The front derailleur acts as a very effective chain guide, regardless if you shift down or not. Even on certain cyclocross bikes they'll fit a chain keeper to take the place of a derailleur:

on smaller ration machines (6 speed) in the past people kept a single ring on the front without a derailleur or chain keeper, but the rear derailleur did not move across enough to pose as much of a risk of losing the chain as more modern 9-10-11 speed machines do, also the shifting was friction, without the modern 'jump' or click. The chain was eased across and was therefore less likely to fall off.
I'd keep things as they are if I were you. The weight saving is negligible, and the option of spinning a smaller gear is always useful.

Hey,
Just wondering, i have a road bike for my general travels, but even on the biggest of hills i come across on it, i will never touch the smaller chainring, would it be more practical to remove it completely along with the derailer? (not a typo)
Cheers,
Sam

There is a thread on this here.