Originally Posted by
fietsbob
in 1985*, a companion from England , riding the California Coast [SF South] with Me, used a Classic TA 50-28t Cyclotourist crankset. Functionally such a big upshift out of the 28t would be done at the crest of a hill , so the strain on the chain is near zero.
* the freewheel, as I recall he used, was a 13-28t .. a 6 speed would be in that period.
I've been seriously considering doing that. For the kind of riding I do now, I would like to try an 11-28T 7sp freewheel (yes, freewheel) and 28-30/48/chainguard front. Since it seems that the Cyclotouriste/ProViz5 is no longer available except as mismatched pieces on e-bay; I'm wondering what bits and pieces to experiment with. I'll throw up a a different thread for that, though.
Originally Posted by
fietsbob
My current rig (folding Brompton) the double is even wider , but the chain is not derailed, there is a gear box in the crankset,
the arms turn at a different rate, faster than the chainring, in Low reduction gear, range. It ia functionally as if a 50 - 20 t double .. I combine it with a 3 speed IGH in the back wheel.. 6 speed, no overlap, results. Both being planetary, 3<>4 is a quick double shift.
I'm embarrassed to admit that I've never seen a folder in person. For urban life, though they sound awesome. And, that is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to learn -- a "good" reason to use an uncommon gear setup. Thank, fietsbob.