1.25 and 1 should be pretty good for you. The lower you go, the bouncier your ride is gonna be unless you get shorter shocks/struts. Any set you buy should indicate how far the drop will be once they're settled.
Ride quality will obviously be harsher with the drop, but your tire size also factors into that. Once your sidewall gets lower than 45mm bumps become pretty noticeable, but its nothing unbearable. After a while you won't even notice and riding in cars at stock height with thick sidewalls becomes a luxury ride
Are you planning on installing your springs yourself? You'll need a spring compressor... or strong bones