Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 13,495
Likes: 924
From: Boston-ish, MA
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Ask yourself what you are willing to give up. Your top gear or two? Tight spacing between the gears you use most of the time? Shifting simplicity?
For me years ago that question was easy - the top gears, because I (almost) never used them, never really needed them. But then, I don't mind less tight gear spacing either because I'm not racing anyone so I don't mind if a gear isn't exactly precisely perfectly what I want. As someone said, the cheapest way to get low gears is probably a freewheel. The best way though may be a compact double crank.
Which that's just my opinion, now ain't it?
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller