This is true, but if you use a 22t chainring, having 23t on the rear is a bit useless. Also, a 6sp chain should be stronger than a 9sp chain, because of the size, so you'd go for 6sp. Only thing is, they don't actually make 6sp any more. Tarty used to sell mechs, shifters and cassettes, and now sell none of it. If I can get away with modifying a cassette so I don't have to run larger than 17t, I'll do it, but I want to read about what other people have done first to get ideas.