mostly rural, occasional "small city". i don't really stop much, and maybe i don't ride that fast, because i've managed to slow down and stop when i've needed to, or turned and kept rolling when i couldnt' stop. been riding the same bike for about 7 years and i've changed my tires once. i've managed to eek out a small skid here and there, but nothing regular, hence my question about the gearing.