Originally Posted by
bmike
What I like about the 2x10 on my IF randonneuring and touring setup is that I can quickly tune my gear range with a cassette swap. Nice and tight for a known course or with no load. Wide for a hilly course or for touring.
So do you carry a spare cassette every where you go? That seems like it is rather inconvenient
If you range over a few hundred miles, you are going to run across nearly every type of terrain that the planet has to offer. You have hit upon how a 2x system might be useful...i.e. for a know course. But once you get into the unknown, which is what I consider "touring", having a wide range with a good high gear
and a good low gear is far more useful.
I carry a wide range of gearing everywhere I go...wider than any 2x system is capable of attaining. I don't have to stop and change cassettes to have a good high gear or to get a good low gear.