What are the disadvantages of scrapping the triple chainset...

[RecordAceFromNew]

IME chain line arguments are theoretical arguments & in real world riding have little to no weight.

+1, actually perhaps counter intuitively even tests have shown that crossing chain (chainline offset) has negligible effect on derailleur drive efficiency. For fixies/ss uneven wear so caused is undesirable but that is not the case here.

Hub gears have advantages like those already mentioned, and indeed might be best for the OP or many commuters, but they also have some disadvantages such as weight, cost and repair difficulties when needed. Independent tests have also shown that they are less efficient.

Shorten the chain to the minimum will help "managing" the chain and increasing efficiency.

 

[heretic]

It all depends on where you ride. I need a wide triple for N Derbyshire, especially if I fancy a camping weekend up in the Peak. If I decide to commute along the Trans Pennine Trail (canal + old railway) I could make do with a 3 speed cocoa tin. At the moment the hack bike's in bits and I only have triple machinery, so that's what I use on the trail, I might be in trouble if it was the other way round and I only had a Sturmey to go camping.

 

[TheDoctor]

I've used a similar setup - 7 speed 12-32 on a 38T ring. It suited me very well in not-especially-hilly North Herts.

 

[Ian H]

East Devon here. I use a triple and a fixed wheel. Fixed is either 68 or 64". Triple is 13/26 cassette and 46/36/28. I really dislike wide ratio cassettes, but you make your own mind up.