For me it really is a question of cycling and not cycling. I want to continue to ride an FG, and this gives me the option, I think/hope. When I don't have the option anymore, I'll ride my moto.

I've backed my gearing off to a 48x17. Once I get my knee spinning and remain seated, I can crunch fine. As I said, it's those starts from a dead stop where I need to put extra force on the knee to get moving that's mucking things up. I'm thinking now that I'll keep gearing normally in direct-drive, but shift down at stops. I am also imagining that on those cold, dark, wet winter commutes having a 3rd gearing option could help to keep me .

I'll give a report in due course.