Gary-

I am familiar with your philosophy, just too chicken to try it out on
my 52 year old knees (want to save them for retirement). Thanks for
the recommendation. You are undoubtedly correct and the best way is
to commute on it for a time and then gear down slightly for the
touring.

Tim Greiner

--- Gary Blakley wrote:
>
> I rode with a triple for over 20 years and felt I needed the
range. Around
> 3 years ago I started single speed mountain biking. What I've
learned is
> that we adapt to whatever gearing we have. Our legs get accustomed
to a
> slower cadence on climbs and faster on the flats. Geared riders
may argue
> but after your legs adapt it is no more tiring, maybe even less,
than
> spinning along at a fairly constant cadence all day. I find that
when I do
> a ride with gears now I rarely shift and my low gears never get
used. Get
> used to climbing the really steep stuff standing.
>
> I would shoot for a low gear of around 30-40" and the high gear
will be more
> than fast enough with the Nexus. You will have to ride it enough
to let
> your legs adapt. For me the old "save your knees and spin" is a
myth if you
> give your legs time to get used to it. Let us know how you like it.
>
> Gary