Originally Posted by cyccommute

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.