That your "typical road bike" came with 50/34 and 12-30 speaks to how much more reasonable road bike gearing is these days than it used to be.
The bike I started my randonneuring journey on came from the factory with a 52/42 crank and a 14-28 freewheel, being an entry-level model in its time. (The fancier ones came with a 14-24.) I was glad to have put on a 39T inner ring before that first 200k brevet!
Originally Posted by WNBCGoater
So I'm thinking just stick with what I know, typical road bike gearing but an upright, bigger framed, larger tired, steel framed comfort bike, and go ride....
Now we're talkin'. Skip the analysis paralysis and just find out what works. What's the worst that could happen, you have to walk a hill or two?
