Quote Originally Posted by mimitabby View Post
I think my minimum speed is 3mph!
My lowest speed has been 2.3mph, grinding my way up a very steep hill- feels dangerously close to falling over on one side, but I can do it.



Pardes- that is a VERY wide gear range you are getting! You will be able to handle any hill now ....except maybe those that require going backwards. I'm glad for you!...I know first hand how hard it can be to be a new rider in your 50's and trying to get up hills.
Great that your LBS is happy to change this for you on your new bike.

Keep in mind that when you have such a wide range there will be more undesireable gear combinations that will result in chain rubbing ("cross-chaining"). Cross chaining is to be avoided, as it results in both premature wear on the chain and cogs, and also increases the likelihood of your chain dropping off and/or jamming in the hub and chipping your spokes and paint. It might be VERY useful to have the LBS guys demonstrate to you about cross chaining with the bike up on a stand before you take it home.

One thing that helped me figure out my gearing was to think first about what front ring I wanted to be in for the riding situation at hand, and then think about fine tuning the back cogs within that front ring range. It also helped me to try to not be in either of the twoo extreme back gears on either side if I wanted to change rings in the front. This thinking is oversimplified and not always applicable, but it got me through the beginning stage of adapting to a big gear range with minimal chain drop and chain crossing problems.

Keep us posted- I love to read about your bike adventures!