Originally Posted by
chasm54
And the reason 6 speeds aren't enough has little to do with the range of gears, it is that 10 or 11 speeds allow much smaller steps between gears. More efficient and actually a good deal more pleasant to ride than my old six speed.
Range has something to do with it. How many guys would be running an 11-28 or 11-32 on the road if it weren't for 11 speed cassettes? I tried an 11-32 9 speed on the road a few years ago and hated it. With 11 speed, I can have virtually the same spacing as my current 12-27 9 speed cassette but get those two lower gears as well.