Yeah, I prefer closer-ratio freewheels and triple-crank for all-around versatility. I just converted a similar bike for my wife and put 13-24t 8-spd freewheel in back and 24/36/48t triple in front. There's only 2-3 gear overlap at each end of the cluster and it has higher and lower gears than she'll ever need without too much spread between each gear.