Originally Posted by
Dougbloch
(...) So what is the argument for smaller chain rings and larger freewheels/cassettes?
Hills? Being a flat-lander myself I found out the hard way, when I took my touring bike with a 47 x 22 lowest gear for a ride in the Ardennes a few years ago. Walked most of the day.
My latest build sports this combo. 49/28 and 14-32:
