Bostontrevor wrote:

"I think you'll find 81" is a pretty tall gear to push day to day. I run 78" on a good day and I think that probably runs on the high side."

Really?

I had gotten the 81" figure from the GeRZ Bicycle Gears Table.
The table lists the typical (or so I thought) 48X16 chain ring and cog combo as producing 81" with a 700c/27" wheel.
I happen to have a gear combo on my commuter that matches that, and I had spent the past few months working up to 81" thinking everyone rode an 81" bike.
I don't know now where I got that idea, but somehow I assumed...
I guess I should have asked.

I started at 63" and spent hours with my physical therapist working on my body mechanics.
Then I went up to 68", then 72", then 78" and now I can do about 15 miles a day, and an ocassional 30 miles a day in 81".
In fact, I can do all except about 50 yards of my 15 mile round trip commute in the saddle with an 81" gear.
Yes, my legs have gotten much stronger.
Still, I suppose my body would last longer in a lower inch gear.

I probably do a lot fewer miles that Bostontrevor.

I sure would like to know how many inches everyone else pushes.
Maybe I should do a search or start a new thread.