big ring question

[jobes]

     Howdy.  I was wondering how often u guys use your big ring on rides where it's a lot of single track.  Just curious because
I once slashed my calf open on the big ring.  I'm half considering replacing it with a bashgard.  We typically run the bashgards
for all the play riding we do out here in AZ.  just curious if it would be a big handicap bikepacking?
That's the other issue, most of my bikepacking will be done in the desert. The terrain is rugged and rocky.  U can't hardly buy a
used bike out here that the big ring isn't completely annihilated.  Thanks. 

[Pivvay]

Even on a geared bike I'm fine with ditching the big ring. 32x11 is big enough for me except during XC races. Then once and a while the 44t is nice on stupid fast downhills that scare me anyway.

I doubt you'll miss it bikepacking in AZ.

[ScottM]

I've run 2x9 on my bikepacking bike for the last ... 3 years at least.  Only on paved descents do I actually miss a big ring, and then it's just an excuse to kick back and recover a bit.

[DaveC]

Agreed, big rings are just rock fodder.  34x14 is the top gear on my geared bike.

[timroz]

I was WISHING I had a big ring on the CTR so I could ram it into my calf and have an excuse to quit and find medical attention.  Instead I just had to quit and find a beer and some pizza.

[ScottM]

I was WISHING I had a big ring on the CTR so I could ram it into my calf and have an excuse to quit and find medical attention.  Instead I just had to quit and find a beer and some pizza.

, didn't think about that disadvantage to not having a big ring!

[jobes]

Also,  don't forget about using it as a throwing star in survival situations.  U take it off and take a rabbits
head off like a bikepacking ninja.  They say rabbits taste like house cat.  Not sure though.