>>2044114
TDF weight, narrower:
Yes, easily. Especially since TDF mandates a minimum weight and many teams have to artificially add weight to bikes already, also the 3:1 rule (or whatever new rule rwplaced it).
It's easy to machine your own components. Not sure what exactly you're suggesting but people mix and match or make narrower clusters all the time. They specifically do this to for example fit more tighter spaced gears on older freehubs, for example. Not even machining involved up to here. It's also a very common thing to reduce OLD or replace axles to achieve any desired OLD. In fact many hubs you buy have the same stuff inside as if they were made for the next number of speeds up or down just plus or minus additional spacers. Now if what you're sayin you want say 13 gears in a 9 spd package, it sure can be done, id first check if reducing spacers alone gets, ou there, only after id check if cogs themselves would need shaving too. But the can of worms youre opening here would be: Narrower chain, definately needs indexed shifting so make the plate too etc.
Things like that are being done, have always being done but you always need to keep in mind: Teams of engineers at any of the big S work with big budgets and big sample sizes to determine realistic limits and then corresponding products. An idea you drew up with in a meth induced frenzy might seem not as promising anymore by the time you soin up the lathe and ultimately leave you asking: Why even?
>What's the real advantage of being in exactly the right gear
Why does everyone and their mom cobble together corn cob style casettes for their TT bikes?