I will say that I have found that I really enjoy the rides on my bike with closer ratios a lot more. That said I am not sure how much it has to to with each of the many differences (number of gears, closeness of the ratios, width of the tires, weight, frame geometry, etc).
My road bike is broken (car/bike accident, car won), so I have been doing my rides on my touring bike. I have to say that I REALLY miss the road bike.