Originally Posted by
rocketJeff
Lastly, the difference between these bikes in the same price range are almost negligible. So stick with one that feel the best, and if they all feel 'good', just pick the one with your favorite paint scheme (I am completely serious).
It's more important to get a bike that makes you go 'DAMN that's a sweet looking bike' everyday than to get three extra gears that you most likely will not miss.
I agree with you everything you've said. Even on choosing the color that you like. However, the number of gears isn't as important as the range of gearing. At 80rpm a 42/14 is going to top out at 18.5mph. A 42/13 is going to top out at 20 mph and a 42/11 is going to top out at 24 mph. None of them are fast but having to stop pedaling at 18.5 mph is frustrating. It doesn't take much of an incline to get up to that speed. With a taller high gear and a cassette equipped freehub, the GT is a slightly better bike. Not by much but enough that you could overlook any issues with color scheme.