Originally Posted by
Dilberto
Bacciagalupe nailed it square on the head. Not only do you work LESS on the 20t granny....but you work much LONGER - amen. I have used a 20t granny for two years' scaling the steepest hills(18-22% grade) on my MTB and I'll be honest, I can easily hike faster than that! Going to 20t is counter-productive, because your comfort level suddenly skyrockets and you become SLOWER....which is the straight-up cost of that comfort.
Different strokes for different folks. Some people like speed. Some people work hard at getting themselves in superb shape. That's great.
For me, I don't have the inclination, so I like lower gearing. Yes, I'm going slower than Dilberto and Bacigulape. But I'm out there and I'm enjoying myself.
I believe (but I have no way to "prove it" other than anecdotally) that more people are turned off from cycling or touring by bikes that, for them, are geared too high rather than bikes that have a low low. That's why I urge people to set up their bikes with a low low.