I was feeling nostalgic recently and wanted to remember what it was like to ride the gearing of my first "real" road bike in 1988, which was 52/42 up front and a 6-speed 13-23 in back.

I got a brand new, still-in-packaging Biopace 42T ring on eBay for $10 (I was also curious how Biopace used to feel after being away from it since 1990).

I put it on an old 80s Bianchi I built up, with 12-23 8-speed in back. I have to say that I really like it. The Biopace feel isn't as pronounced as I remembered, but I am enjoying the extra gear inches available while in the small ring. Coming somewhat from the old days, I ride trying to keep the chain running as straight as possible and with a 53/39 I find myself jumping between the front rings a lot. Not so with the 42T.

I like this retro arrangement enough that I picked up a couple more Biopace 42T rings for my other two bikes. There are some tough climbs in my area (Las Vegas) and the extra 3 teeth don't make anything unclimbable.

Anyone else using a 42 up front?