As a Mercian owner with my 1950 Mercian Roadpath that won Best British at Le Cirque, I had them build me _www.Merciancycles.com_ (http://www.Merciancycles.com) a new frame, Vincitorie Special, buit to MY specs, and finished the way I wanted it, cost a mere pitance, compared to most custom built frames, took less than eight weeks to get, FROM England yet. I am more than pleased with it, have ridden 3k miles this year on it, including 470 miles in 7 days up the bloody mountains, _www.bicycletourColorado.com_ (http://www.bicycletourColorado.com) . with Campy 27 speed, triple front, ONLY used the granny gear ONCE! this brings me to the subject COGS, as Ted Ernst and myself will attest we started our cycling days on a single fixed cog. this is all I used for many years, a mate got a Simplex and was allways droping his chain, told him go back to the single fixed, NO problems, I still ride my 1950 Mercian in the hills with a 49x 19 on 27" wheels, BUT I do have to admit like Eddie Albert, gears at our age help, KNEES, KNEES, KNEES are the key, SPINNING or twiddling as we called it, gear low at ALL times, no matter how many you have, Cheers John Crump OldkneesstillgoodBrit, Parker, Co USA