Too many gears?

[TheDoctor]

I did something similar, in that I threw a 7 speed 12-32T cassette and a 40T chainring onto the hack. Found I was never using top, so I've now got a 36T chainring. I can spin it up to about 30 mph, and go up brick walls. Trouble is, changing gear becomes a major policy decision...

 

[howard2107]

its all way over my head. I have 3 at the front and 9 at the back. I find that where i go and what i do, i tend to stay on the middle cog at the front, and use all of the back ones, i did once drop onto the smallest at the front, and found my legs pedalling like hell, with little forward movement!

 

[Cadire]

Why remove the FD then? Seems like a total waste of time. Just carry on riding the bike and see how it goes.

20mph top speed is low even on the slightest of downhills and whilst 28x32 is a pretty low low-gear I'd say you've never been up a steep hill if you have been spinning it 'like a dervish'.

I haven't removed the FD, and nor will I in the forseeable future. I have it set with the limiters keeping the chain in the middle cog. The shifter is still bolted to the handlebars, but the cable has been removed from the FD control. If I'm never going to use it then I may as well take it off... for no other reason that I feel like it

I'm sure I haven't been up very steep hills, but the ones I have been up are steep enough. The one I went up this evening required 'bottom' gear and I just made it. I'm not sure I'd even want to go up anything steeper than that!

Perhaps when I'm fitter I will be able to tackle steeper hills, and appreciate the lower gears, but for now I'm happy with what I'm using, and also with my top speed (which is attained on the flat, I am not confident enough to go downhill at a fast rate).

The big ring doesn't need to be used for roaring down hills. Coming down a hill with your pedals engaged in the gears and turning steadily can add to a sense of control in the descent. - Particularly if you are travelling at a speed not previously experienced on a bike.
As to your bike being a hybrid, whilst it might have some drawbacks over a road bike, don't let that title be a limiting factor. One of mine is, and we have had some fun together going up and down tarmaced hills..Sure she can be hard work sometimes, being a big old steel, but that little ring has never let me down.

I am sure that the guy in front of MikeW-71 in his video is riding a hybrid, so i can see that they can be really fast under the right conditions.

I think that because I have been away from cycling for so many years, and even then I was more of a commuter, I am nowhere near confident enough to descend at any kind of speed. I take the point about more control though, I hadn't thought of that.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Trouble is, changing gear becomes a major policy decision...

Yes, I can't even be bothered with changing gear on the 5 speed, when riding the 27 speed I swear, indecision to change gets my speed down to 4mph
Like the op, I favor the middle front ring using all of the cassette.
Recently, I was told this is all wrong, front rings should be changed according to the cluster of back gears you are using, to avoid cross chaining.
Requires too much concentration!

 

[TheDoctor]

I used to have a Sora triple - 48/38/24. Only really used the 38.
Then I upgraded to 105 compact.
Worst. Mistake. Ever. The right gear is always on the other chainring and up or down three at the back!

 

[si_c]

I'd just leave it as is, just accept the bike may get extra wear on the middle chainring.

When on my MTB on the road I found much the same as the OP, preferred to spin a gear from the middle than change up.

 

[ufkacbln]

Before doing this, consider all eventualities!

If you set your bike up entirely for a flat commute and then take it touring in the Lakes, you may regret a permanent change as opposed to a simple tweak

 

[Cadire]

Before doing this, consider all eventualities!

If you set your bike up entirely for a flat commute and then take it touring in the Lakes, you may regret a permanent change as opposed to a simple tweak

At my current fitness levels I can't imagine surviving a trip around the lakes

I have put this thought in the 'sounded-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time drawer' (where it has plenty of company)