Originally Posted by ostro
i ride 42x14, which is basically the same gearing. It works for me, i am able to fly on the flats and climbing is not a problem, especially when you blow by the roadies at twice their speed uphill!
isn't 42X14 more equal to 48X16? 49X15 is pretty steep for the street in my book, especially if your riding brakeless. I say just get a 16 cog and see how that works out for you. It probably wont let you top out as much but the starts and stops wont kill you.