Originally Posted by
noglider
Monster Pete is right. I have a 50 year old 3-speed. It came with a 48T chainwheel and an 18T cog. Crazy high, but typical for that era. I put a 24T cog on it, and now I call my three speeds -1, 0, and 1, instead of 1, 2, and 3.
If my math is right, you reduced 2 so it's the same as what 1 was, and 3 to same as 2.
Originally Posted by
CycleRail
I commute on an old Raleigh Sports with a SA 3 speed hub. It's a short commute; not even four miles one way. It's uphill on the way back. I find 1st gear easy enough most of the time, unless I've got a lot in my backpack. Otherwise, I look at it as a good short workout.
I ride an old Raleigh Sports, too. My commute is fairly flat, but I reduced my gearing a bit with a 21T cog in back. It does ok when I decide to ride near the river.