i'm trying to get some work done on a schwinn i have so i can ride in the winter (no way i'm taking my good bike out in the winter). i'm gonna keep slicks on there, winter isn't too harsh here, and the streets are usually kept pretty plowed. definitly lower gearing, maybe 41/16ish? probably put a long reach cantilever on there in the fall as i intend to ride the schit out of this bike now so i'm comfortable on it when it starts to get bad, and i usually ride brake-free.