[CR]re: Gear ratios

(Example: Framebuilding)

Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 08:45:23 -0700
From: "Bob Freitas" <freitas1@pacbell.net>
To: CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]re: Gear ratios

As Jan points out freewheels were chosen based on the Terrain to be covered. Out in the flatlands the cog choice is very different than here in Marin where you might do 30 miles with 3500 ft of climbing. I use a standard freewheel of 14-26 or 14-28 on almost every bike I own regardless of what Eddy Merckx might have used in similar terrain . It would be different if I actually owned Merckx 's or Coppi's bike. During the L'EROICA event I saw many riders with old 1/2 step gearing and could only admire their heart mass.(there were plenty of walkers on the steep grades) 40 years ago when I was riding 200 or 300 miles per week I never really thought about ratios or lack of same.

BOB FREITAS old and not so foolish in MILL VALLEY, CA USA

For the San Francisco GP many of the pros used 25t or even 27t for the Fillmore hill