Originally Posted by
staehpj1
Another option is to just forgo the higher gears and go with low gearing with only a two ring crank. I have done the Southern Tier from San Diego to Florida with 39 and 26 tooth chain rings and it worked out well for me.
I agree than an acceptable
range can be found using a double, the middle and outer chain rings on my touring bike deliver a 29-108 GIs while all three chain rings on the roadie make for 35-117 GIs, Not a great difference, but the ratios are closer on the roadie, which I like.
Jvb, has had a lot of good advice with differing opinions that I think will serve him well as he delves into unfamiliar (road) territory.
Brad