Well, I didn't mean to imply faster.

I time myself going around town, not to set records but to have an idea how much time to plan for getting to appointments and work on schedule.

I have ridden in this town with 72", 77" and 82", on a daily basis.
I have noted that my gear inches don't change my times around town.

Even though I can momentarily hit higher speeds with 82" than I can with 72", apparently I average the same speed and time per trip, whether using 72" or 82".

The big difference?

Control going downhill.

I literally cannot ride practically and safely at 82" without a GOOD front brake.

However, at 72", I can easily ride to and from work without using my front brake even once.

My commute involves a lot of hills, and at this time of year I don't like to use my front brake because of the possibility of slipping on black ice or frost.

Who knows, though: in a couple of years my skill might have increased to where I can brake going downhill with 82"; or, maybe I will have developed my spin to where I can get around town just as fast at 68".

I like experimenting with these things.

Right now, control matters more than anything.
I like the downhill control I have with 72", and, like I said, I go downhill slower than I go uphill, at least on some hills.