tcarl

I don't see a problem with what you're suggesting (but I can't say I know anything about it either). I had a similar problem when I bought my Cannondale T2000 touring bike in 2000. It came with a 30-42-52 crankset which was WAY too big for heavy loads/touring. I solved the problem by putting a 26/36/48 mountain bike crankset on. The other problem with the bike was that it came with 15g spokes on both wheels. So for that's been OK for the front, but I kept breaking the rear wheel spokes and eventually replaced them with 14g. To achoo: a 30/32 low isn't really low enough for heavy loads on long steep hills. The idea of these really low gears is so that the low gears are low enough that you can spin. Loaded touring bikes are very stable and those huge 700x32 tires help keep you upright. Even if the bike isn't heavily loaded all these last comments still apply.