Originally Posted by
JeremyZ
My commuter is a 3-speed of that style, but lighter. Even though it is lighter, it is still a bear uphill. Low gear is not low enough. Those Limies that road them in the English countryside were some tough cookies. The Dutch have it easy, as their country is dead flat. It all comes down to hills & distance. If you can find one that is geared low enough in bottom gear (they are offered as 3-speeds) it might be worth considering. Or if you really like the style.
You can always lower the gearing of your 3 speed by changing the rear sprocket to a larger one. My DL-1 came with a 17 tooth rear sprocket, and I changed it to a 24 tooth, today in fact-- not a hard thing to do at all. I can climb hills in that, without too much problem. You may also get a smaller chainring in the front, but on my ride I don't want to because I like the pretty herons.