Originally Posted by
Gonzo Bob
Hey, livedarklions - I'd actually like to see how you gear your bike(s) (I thought that's what this thread was about). For example, do you put on a 55t or 56t big ring (like were used on 650C wheeled triathlon bikes long ago to offset the smaller wheel size, and can you even get those big rings these days or have 10t and 11t cassette cogs essentially made them obsolete)? Do you put on a straight block cassette (can you even get those these days or do you have to "build your own")?
The next club ride on a flat course, I think I'll spin on my 13-18 straight block freewheel
The two bikes I do most of my riding on are old brifter bikes with 8 speed Shimano 600 Tricolor, and I have 11-28t cassettes, standard issue Shimano. It's 53t in the front, and I forget the size of the small chain ring. I don't think my front derailleurs could handle a bigger chain ring, but I've never actually looked into it.
I do think that people are probably too reluctant to experiment with higher gears because of people claiming certain things are impossible or making grossly exaggerated claims of danger.