Viich

So.... I use a Sturmey-Archer 3 speed on my commuter now, giving me 54, 72, & 96 gear inches, with 700x32 tires and 48:18 gearing.

Same bike (old Bianchi Strada), had Shimano 105 8sp - with a cross crankset (48-38) and a narrow cassette (12-25), gave me 40.1 to 105.5 gear inches on the 700x25 I ran at the time. I spent almost all my time in the 60-80 GI range when I had that many gears, so figured the 72 would do me most of the time. I have a relatively flat commute, and have done it on a fixed gear many times.

Remember with entry level bikes that there are a LOT of inexperienced cyclists who spend almost all their time on the smallest cog because they want as low a cadence as possible. I think. I'm not sure why else they'd do it, but I watch them do it and I get hold of their used freewheels with the smallest gear completely worn out and everything else looking new. I know the smallest cog wears fast anyway, but....?