The half-step+granny is new to me, set up this way mainly to use what I had on hand. I'm still getting used to it, but I like it. Did a ride yesterday with some pretty steep climbs and found myself wishing I had one more lower gear.... Ideally I'd like a 7sp freewheel that has a 32t or 34t large cog that isn't a 'mega-range' with the giant jump between the two biggest cogs, but the only ones I've found like that are the ($$) ones from IRD. I think I might have a 28t chainring, so may try that. It's also early in the season, so another week or so of regular riding and maybe the low I've got will be fine.
The FD shifting is taking a little getting used to. Going from the small ring to the middle I often end up over-shifting to the big ring, and a couple times I've had the chain come off shifting from the middle to the big. Seems like the limit screw has to be set just right so I've got enough trimming to stop rubbing when in big ring/smallest cog, but tight enough to keep it from coming off when making a fast shift from the middle to the big ring. Seems like it's only happened when I've shifted without a lot of load on the pedals.. The 45t ring was originally the inner ring, so it's lacking the little tab to prevent the chain from falling between the arm & the ring- thinking about drilling & tapping so I can put it on. And I just need to get better at finessing my shifting. The Criterium shifters need to be pretty well tightened down to keep from slipping and aren't exactly the lightest shifting. Looking forward to (eventual) Retrofriction levers....