Can a newer rear derailleur designed for an indexed shifting system be used with a friction shifter setup? In other words is the internal mechanism for the derailleur indexed, or can it shift in a continuous motion with friction shifters?
the indexing on derailleur drive trains is in the lever on the handlebar...
people post a lot about problems they have synching the clicks in the lever with the specific distance between the cogs on the rear hub,
as things can get bent and the cable connection is not functioning at its best in transmitting the shifting demand. with precision.
Only components like the Rohloff internal gear hub engineers the gear shifting sequence into the hub .
NuVinci CVR and Pinion are another 2 cable grip shifted hub and gear box, that goes thru the gear ratios in sequence .
It sounds like maybe a 12/27 or 11/28 cassette with a double 39/53 crankset would be useful? Or do you think something like a compact 34/50 chainring would be better? My guess is that a 12/25 cassette wouldn't be very well suited for the local terrain in my area.
reads like you prefer road bikes like the racers use ..
Note: gear ratio advantages are better when hill climbing, when the front gear is smaller , the rear size larger.
I personally prefer triple cranks so when the hill is steep , the gear on the crank is smaller than the gear on the wheel ..
a reduction gear ratio , rear wheel turns less frequently than the cranks..
an overdrive ratio is when the wheel turns over More frequently than the cranks.. big ring turning a smaller one.