I just noticed the new Trek Top Fuel's (Gen 4) spec for minimum chainring size is 30t. I have a 2014 Salsa Horsthief (Alloy) that uses a 2×10 with small chainring at 22t and there is no issue with that ring and an 11t cog. So I know it's completely possible to design a 1×12 bike with chain stays that can accommodate well under a 30t ring. I'd like to run a 26t elliptical ring (Garbaruk probably) which means my new bike should really accommodate a 24t round ring with no issue. Another bike I was thinking of (Specialized Chisel FS) I see (after downloading manual) has the same 30t min size. Did all companies change their chainstays when the trend went from 2×10 to 1×12 so that they can no longer work with smallest rings? If I find any bikes that work sub 28t (whether 24 or 26), I'll comment here later.
For those interested: The reason I want a very small ring is that I don't care that much about the change in anti-squat (more or less – whatever) when cranking up a hill in gears 1 to 4 (I'm a slow cranker at 61 yo and if I have trouble, I never hesitate to get off and push). If I were willing to get the 10-51 SLX cassette, I'd be OK with a 28t and maybe even 30t. But I want to use the 10-45 SLX cassette for the closer spacing on gears 1-4 (something I have on my current 10sp cassette). And with that 45t cog, I want at least a 26t chainring. I haven't made up my mind on oval, but 26 is the smallest oval I've found in any modern chainring standard (I plan to get a Canfield crank at 155 or 160 mm arms which uses a SRAM 3 bolt direct mount ring and Gabaruk makes a 26t oval for it).
by DaraParsavand