Originally Posted by
roadandmountain
Serious question: what were people doing 20-25 years ago when 53/42 and 12-23 gearing were the norm?
Were cyclists just avoiding certain hills? Did people of a 'certain weight' simply not ride bicycles before?
Same thing they do now if they buy a bike with inappropriate gearing - change it to something more appropriate. Yes, some bikes came with the gears you mention, but plenty came with triples in front (26t wasn't uncommon as a 'granny' gear) and large cogs on 5 and 6-speed freewheels were readily available as well (Suntour's went up to 38t).