Originally Posted by
Maelochs
Q-factor? I have widened the q on one of my bikes for greater comfort. I have wide hips.
Data is admittedly sparse, but most indications are that current road q-factors are wider than optimal for the average rider. That's opposite from what would be most convenient: it's much more practical to widen a narrow-q bike as needed than the other way around.
A 2x11 has fewer gears than a 3x8 and a Lot more usable ratios
That's not always true, and is nearly never true if the 8-speed is employing an intermediate stepping scheme (which is a lot harder to do with 11-speed). I just built up a 3x8 for a touring build, worth about 18 practical unique ratios.