Naieviety here....regarding cyclocross/comuter/fire roader..

[LeeDevelopment]

OK.....

9 speed thumbshifters (on Forge bar mounts) mated to 9 speed rear (road) mech and a road front mech. Brooklyn's 'snot rockets' are like a more powerful v-brake so tyre clearence isn't a problem, they're damned powerful too - probably the most powerful canti's I've ever used. Will be using, probably, a 11 - 26 cassette, mated to max 48t ring up front, I have both 46 and 44 Middleburn rings, middle ring will prolly be a 36-ish, again I have a few to choose from here already. I've just found a Royce BB in my other tool box that will fit as well.

Looking forward to doing this build up

 

[IbocProSX]

On my 80's Alan CX commuter I run 42-53 front with 13-26 (ish) rear. It's a big S 7-speed cassette and it works fine with MTB gripshift and a 90's Shimano rear road mech.

Mind you, Holland IS flat, but for commuting I got on fine with these gears.

Enjoy!!