Originally Posted by
freeranger
Nice bike! Only you know if it would make you happier with the bike. Do you feel like there are any big gaps from one gear to another, or feel like closer ratios from one cog to another would enhance your riding experience. Personally, a 9 spd cassette is fine with me. This is coming from someone who was used to riding 7 spd mtn.bikes (current is still "only" 8), before finally buying a road bike, so take it for what it's worth.
I agree; my Bianchi is also a 9 despite being 30 years newer than the OP's.
But I can't think of a gear I really need that just isn't there, and my granny gear is more than easy enough for the minimal hills I encounter.
In the old days we rode 5-speeds, where the difference between gears was probably more significant.