Originally Posted by
Papa Tom
I've been riding for more than 45 years and I still don't understand gear ratios. I currently commute and tour on a mountain bike with 3 chain rings in the front and a 7-ring cassette in the rear. The salesman called it a "21-speed" when I bought it. The chain never comes off the middle front ring and rarely do i use anything outside of 4,5, and 6 on the rear. So basically, I have a three-speed...and I'm not complaining.
A lot of times I simplify things for the ones who don't understanding gearing. In regards to a triple on a MTB or road bike i tell them to think of the small ring for going up hills that're steep or long, the middle ring for general flatland/gently rolling hills and the big ring for roding down hills. that seems to help them a bit although it is an overly simplification.
Depending on the terrain many people would be very well served with a simple 7 speed bicycle.
Cheers