Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,043
Likes: 923
From: Washington County, Vermont, USA
Bikes: 1966 Dawes Double Blue, 1976 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1975 Raleigh Sprite 27, 1980 Univega Viva Sport, 1971 Gitane Tour de France, 1984 Lotus Classique, 1976 Motobecane Grand Record
Right, don't overthink it. If a "ten speed" gives you six or seven usable speeds, you're doing okay. When you're on the big ring, use the three smallest cogs in back to get 100.6, 88.1, and 74.1. Then drop to the small chainring and stay on the middle cog in back. Now you've got 59.9 (I'm rounding off), 47.4, and 40.6. That's six evenly spaced and easy-to-find speeds. That's all you need. Don't obsess about it.