Originally Posted by
rccardr
The early 80’s SR Apex 86bcd crank on the Raleigh Gran Tour currently carries a set of 48/28 chainrings (no pins, flat rings) and shifts like buttah. Mated to an 8 speed 12-34 cassette, friction shifted, it gets me pretty much anywhere. Well, at least anywhere my 72 year old legs can take me with a 28/34 low gear…somewhere in the low 20’s gear-inch-wise.
I like that, I ran the numbers, fewer duplicate gears in the middle, great gear range 500% without big jumps at the cogs. That's good news for me. If I need a higher high from my current 85 gear inch (on 20"/406 wheels), I could go 54/34 if I can find a 54 ring on 5x110mm, or if I need a lower low from my current 21 gear inch for loaded touring, I could go 50/30 (would need a new crank on 110/74).