Originally Posted by chaadster

Turning 120rpm while barreling downhill is the last thing I want to do. I want the stability of substantial torque on the pedals and the solid feel of connection through the drivetrain. I don’t want to upset by bumps or caught improperly weighted when my tires need traction.

When I lived in Avon, CO, I fitted a 58t to my bike for this reason; my rides were up and down. It wasn’t ideally suited for the valley ride west out 6 to Glenwood Springs, but coming down mountain roads confidently at speeds well north of 50mph made the trade off worthwhile.