I selected the first option from the standpoint of going on longer rides and having the right gearing to complete even the toughest climbs. That said, I think that the second option is better for group rides. You will be dropped on the descents if you don't have a high enough gearing. Some early reviews of prototype and tester S3X hubs indicated that there was little or no noticeable efficiency losses when the hub was in the 2nd or 3rd gear.