Originally Posted by
Sawtooth
I personally am facing the same question (for climbing purposes) but tend to analyze the issue using gear inches instead of MPH.
On the road I only use the 53/12 for reaching speeds well in excess of 35 mph (that usually means hills). I hit 52 mph on my saturday ride!!!!!
I looked at gear inches but MPH just seems more understandable to me.
Since there are no hills around here, I should probably look at my "sweet spot" for riding as well.
With my MTB and 22/34 I don't think there anything it can't climb (that's less than 1:1 crank rotation/wheel rotation) I never thought I would use it but I did, and in all places IOWA (it ain't flat, especially along the Mississippi).
Since I have only been out on the road bike 3 times I'll probably see how it goes for awhile with the standard.