Originally Posted by
pacificcyclist
The difference between a 26T and 24T is not much though. Eventually, the gear you are in would be so low that it looks silly spinning so fast before you topple over because the bike is so tippy heavy. Unless you are planning to climb lots of 13% to 20% hills, a 26T with a 32T is fine for the majority of 8% climbs you'll meet on the road.
Hope this helps.
Sorry, but I don't agree. First, traveling at slow speeds doesn't automatically mean that the rider will fall over. I've spent hours pedaling at 3 mph on-road and off-road. I even do it without weaving all over the road. It's not that hard to do. Second, pedaling at 3 mph beats walking
and pushing a bike. I've done that too.
Third, what gear you want, or need, depends on the individual. I'd much rather spin up a hill at 3 to 4 mph in a 20/34 gear (my touring bike's gearing) than struggle up the same hill in a 26/34 gear. I can do both...I'm fit and strong enough...but the 20/34 is a whole lot easier.
Finally, I live in the highest part of the Rockies. I ride in the highest part of the Rockies. I've done it my whole life. Here in Colorado, you won't run across too many 8% grades. We may like skiing but we don't like to do it in our cars. From my experiences in the Appalachias, 8% is a
gentle grade. I have the lung power (and thicker blood) that comes from living at altitude but those eroded stubs of mountains back east taught me a valuable lesson in respect. They may be short but they are mean.