Like Andr0id, I believe in gearing my FG for a cadence of about 90 rpm’s at my normal cruising speed.
Last weekend I did a group ride with 5 other regular riders, two of us on FG, the others on geared road bikes. The other FG rider, one of the geared riders, and myself held the front. Everyone pushed it and was spent… Didn’t want to do another lap.
The other FG rider was running 48-16. I’m older and not as strong as him and run 46-18. Not only do I find spinning more comfortable than mashing, but it’s the only way I could’ve kept up!
At some point, gearing up doesn’t make one any faster, only mashier! I found my point.
Those running high gear inches are one or more of the following:
Truly stronger and faster than average riders.
Mashers
Posers