Originally Posted by
period3
The 48/38/28 is about right for me. I use both the 48 and 38 ring extensively, and I only have about a 5km commute. I wouldn't want to go any lower than 48. Going downhill on my way to work I'm usually in the last gear and it's just about right.
To elaborate on my reasoning... I can get up to 35 mph on my middle (44?) ring. Don't have any need to go faster for utility bike purposes. Waste of energy, IMO. If I'm going downhill I happily coast. I'd prefer to have a 38 middle, because the lowest cog isn't low enough for big hills.
Before my first "road bike" I had a mountain bike and I did stay on the top two gears of the 48 ring, but that's because I was always "mashing" - actually, I rode that bike standing on the pedals most of the time.