Hi Brad,
I'm going to agree with what everyone else has said about increasing your cadence. Technically I will add this: all of the major freewheel manufacturers brought out freewheels with 12t small cogs in the late 80s.. I can get some model numbers if you want them. I think the 11t came along with cassettes somewhat later.
As for your needs, if you currently have a 52x14 top gear then you have a 100-inch gear and that should be adequate for over 30 miles per hour with even a modest cadence. That seems fine for the flats. I'm pretty sure I can get up to 37-38-mph down hill with that gear before I spin out. Are you actually experiencing a situation where you spin out a 100 inch gear on flat ground?
Regards, Derrick Bourgeois Colorado Springs, CO, USA
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Sat, 5 Sep 2009 17:28:12 -0700
> From: Brad Kremer <fourrings3@gmail.com>
> Subject: [CR] Gearing ratios
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Message-ID:
> <633837670909051728x279b7c26g1405f872a8d12900@mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
>
> So, I have an on topic Olmo. It's currently running 6 gears, on a 52 tooth
> Nervar crank. I'm already on the 15t freewheel with only a 14t in reserve.
> My 20 mile commute is flat. Should I try to find a 53t front ring, or a 7
> speed back end with something along the lines of 11t starter freewheel to
> up
> my caloric output? I'm really not that familiar with gearing ratios and
> things. Trying to keep it original and faster than cars, if anyone has a 6
> or 7 speed with 11t for sale let me know.
>
> Cheers!
> Brad Kremer
> PDX , OR
> Late 80's Olmo Super Sexxyness
> Early 80's Ciocc PDM team time trial
>
>
**********************************