Originally Posted by jonwvara

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.