Gearing options

[petitpal]

So I'm looking at gearing options for my daughter's bike and getting a bit lost. Being retro at heart my instinct is to jump for 3x7 or 3x8 but then lots of people seem to be riding 2x10 or even 1x10 or 1x11.

What's anyone ridden and what do you prefer? (The bike I'm putting this on is likely to be pottering around the woods / family trails sort of thing - she doesn't get the opportunity to go riding much)

Thanks
Paul

 

[legrandefromage]

Go mad, go new XTR with a 52t rear cassette and propitiatory rear hub

In truth, I find the simpler the better so 1 x9 depending on the competence/ experience/ mechanical sympathies of the rider - kids do tend to ride around in the 'easiest' gear

 

[petitpal]

Re:

I have to keep stopping myself from arguing up what I'm looking at anyway... if I'm looking at that I may as well get XT and if I'm getting XT well XTR wouldn't be that bad, etc, etc.

I'm suspecting you're right about one on the front. I've seen some the size of granny rings though which seems a bit mad