I have had some thoughts/memories pass by me while I was reading the aluminum/steel frame thread and the clipless vs toe straps thread.
I remember reading a number of articles in the old Bicycling Magazine, circa 1975, wherein 15 gear Touring Bikes were derided as having far too many gears. The editor stated that 10 gears were plenty enough for even loaded touring.
When they finally accepted that 15 gears were here to stay they began touting a setup known as 'the half-step granny'. Anyone know if that setup is still used very much. If I recall correctly it would have been something like a 52-45- 30 front and a 14-28 or 14 - 32 rear.
re. Aluminum vs Steel frames. It would make interesting reading to hear the potential comments which could have been made way back when, when bike frames and rims started to be made of metal instead of wood. Can't you just imagine the comments posted to a newsgroup had one been available then.
"Peter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
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I have had some thoughts/memories pass by me while I was reading the aluminum/steel frame thread and the clipless vs toe straps thread.
I remember reading a number of articles in the old Bicycling Magazine, circa 1975, wherein 15 gear Touring Bikes were derided as having far too many gears. The editor stated that 10 gears were plenty enough for even loaded touring.
When they finally accepted that 15 gears were here to stay they began touting a setup known as 'the half-step granny'. Anyone know if that setup is still used very much. If I recall correctly it would have been something like a 52-45-30 front and a 14-28 or 14 - 32 rear.
My "good" bike is a 30 year old steel frame Raleigh International with a "half-step+granny "setup - 52-48-33 front and 13-16-20-23-28 rear, Suntour friction barend shifters, 27 inch wheels. I like always knowing what the next gear is with 12 distinct choices between 32 to 108 gear inches. I'm planning to ride this bike until it breaks or I do. I did a century ride on it 10 days ago and averaged slightly over 16 mph with about 5000 feet of climbing. No problem keeping up with my friend on his super wham-o-dyne titanium/carbon wonder bike.
In answer to your question, half-step is rarely used these days because there are so many choices in a 9 or 10 speed cassette that it is not necessary to use the front shifter so much to get the same effect. Half step is a probable retro- grouch indicator now.
