Originally Posted by
terrymorse
To see the progression of road bike "race" gearing, just look at the changes to Dura-Ace.
Several years ago, Dura-Ace was 10 speed, top-end bikes with Dura-Ace were shipped with 52-39 chainrings and 11-25 cassettes. Low gear ratio: 1.56.
The lowest 10 speed Dura-Ace was 50-34 chainrings and 11-28 cassette. Low gear ratio: 1.21.
Today, Dura-Ace is 12 speed, the standard is 52-36 and 11-30. Low gear ratio: 1.2.
The lowest 12 speed Dura-Ace available is 50-34 and 11-34. Low gear ratio: 1.0.
and traveling backward - 12-23 cogset was common before 12-25
unfortunate it took too long
but in flat areas it was probably less of an issue (if no issue)