Originally Posted by
Rockcreek Rider
I'm not denying that useful gearing is useful, I'm denying that, for me and maybe not for you, a 32X51 isn't useful for me. I can't see ever using it.
On that note, getting a cassette, with a low gear you only use once or twice a year, maybe isn't the wisest decision.
From what you are telling us you are a long time roadie, (which is fine), however road gearing will be different from MTB gearing for the sheer fact the surfaces ridden on are going to be quite different. Like extremely different. Climbing a hill on a smooth surface vs. a rocky rooted muddy surface is not the same at all so having some lower gearing is quite helpful. You may not use that gear all the time and nobody is forcing you to do so but having it is quite helpful. Sure back in the early days it was more touring/road gearing as they were still developing MTB so it is what existed but now we can see where everyone else is at and it feels like you are trying to deny that and aren't understanding the reasoning and why even the pros have lower gearing.