One way to think about it... with no wind on a flat route, what is “fast” and what cadence do you want to be doing at that speed?

For example, I run 42/16 on 700x32 which is about 71 gear inches. I will be doing about 17 mph at 80 rpm, 19 mph at 90 rpm and 25 mph at 120 rpm.

This might seem a bit slow using drop bars on the flats, but with the hills around here, it’s about the most I want to do.

I’m trying out touring bars to increase wind drag at higher speeds. That seems to give just the right level of effort on the flats without having to make the hills too painful. And the touring bars are great for long, standing climbs.

Otto