7 speed
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Dog Walking Land in Michigan
7 speed
About how I ride:
I will ride (crossing fingers) 3,600 miles this year. I ride paved roads 75%, Bike trail 15% and 10% gravel country roads daily. I consider myself a casual rider, who picks up the groceries daily, stops at cafe and shops. My general daily ride is 22 miles minimum.. I do not race and my average speed is 11-12mph. I have three Treks all for different reasons, the oldest is a Navigator that I put winter tires on. Next is also a Navigator that I cheated and installed a power assist, I have only used it a few times. The one I use the most I got this year 7.2 FX . I have racks, panniers, cell phone case, front bag, trunk. Ok way to much stuff kinda like a purse with too much stuff. I shift gears very little, I have one major hill to tackle every time I leave the driveway.
My question is I found a sweet looking bike, pink Public C7. I have everything I can order for it lined up, both front and back racks too. This is a 7 speed. Would this fit how I ride as described? Or is this too less of gears? I guess I think it would be cute, no real other reason to buy it, but also not wanting to get something that really is not useful, like the scooters, bikes,rollerblades.....piled in the garage
I will ride (crossing fingers) 3,600 miles this year. I ride paved roads 75%, Bike trail 15% and 10% gravel country roads daily. I consider myself a casual rider, who picks up the groceries daily, stops at cafe and shops. My general daily ride is 22 miles minimum.. I do not race and my average speed is 11-12mph. I have three Treks all for different reasons, the oldest is a Navigator that I put winter tires on. Next is also a Navigator that I cheated and installed a power assist, I have only used it a few times. The one I use the most I got this year 7.2 FX . I have racks, panniers, cell phone case, front bag, trunk. Ok way to much stuff kinda like a purse with too much stuff. I shift gears very little, I have one major hill to tackle every time I leave the driveway.
My question is I found a sweet looking bike, pink Public C7. I have everything I can order for it lined up, both front and back racks too. This is a 7 speed. Would this fit how I ride as described? Or is this too less of gears? I guess I think it would be cute, no real other reason to buy it, but also not wanting to get something that really is not useful, like the scooters, bikes,rollerblades.....piled in the garage
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Sirrus
If you don't shift gears a lot, check what gear combination you use to climb the hill, and if the new bike will be able to provide those combinations. Something like this could help:
https://www.gear-calculator.com/#
though I haven't thought about how best it can be used for your purpose.
https://www.gear-calculator.com/#
though I haven't thought about how best it can be used for your purpose.
#3
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,853
Likes: 18
From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
I have lived with 3 speeds for years, walked a few hills too.
My current city bike just got an upgrade from 7 to 8 gears to get me a lower first gear for the one killer hill. Wasn't necessary but the opportunity presented itself so when opportunity knocks...
See how many gears you currently use and go from there.
Aaron
My current city bike just got an upgrade from 7 to 8 gears to get me a lower first gear for the one killer hill. Wasn't necessary but the opportunity presented itself so when opportunity knocks...
See how many gears you currently use and go from there.
Aaron
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ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,811
Likes: 0
From: Northern Nevada
A lot of us rode for years with five-speed freewheels and thought that was plenty. Many of us thought six was an improvement. Some of us thought we needed seven. Eight seemed like overkill, nine was a little silly and 10 was pure marketing hype. I still have a couple of six-speed bikes around and ride them occasionally. You're fine.
#5
I've gotta agree with the above statements. I also live in Michigan, and your riding terrain sounds similar to mine. I typically ride one of my 3spd bikes. I do have a 7spd that I use for grocery runs and etc. Very happy with either.
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
With a range of 31-76", it won't win any races, but it should get you up most hills.
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 6
From: Ontario, Canada
Bikes: Helix, Brompton, Rivendell, Salsa, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
My question is I found a sweet looking bike, pink Public C7. I have everything I can order for it lined up, both front and back racks too. This is a 7 speed. Would this fit how I ride as described? Or is this too less of gears? I guess I think it would be cute, no real other reason to buy it, but also not wanting to get something that really is not useful, like the scooters, bikes,rollerblades.....piled in the garage 

#11
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 1
From: Warwick, UK
Bikes: 2000-something 3 speed commuter, 1990-something Raleigh Scorpion
7 gears is plenty. I ride mostly on a 3-speed, on a bike which originally had a 6-speed setup. In general, you tend to get the same overall range with 5, 6 or 7-speed setups, just closer spacing as you add gears.






