Efficent number of Gear ratios...

[Matt Attallah]

Well, as I have been thinking about gears, and seeing all the new transmissions that are currently being build in Inventor (or whatever) on CD.com, I have a question.

What do YOU think is an efficient number of gears?

As in just a simple 2 gear selection. High and low? Or are you on the other end and say the more gears you have the better? Some of the ideas that have been posted on CD.com are awesome - please don't stop (you're giving me ideas ) - but really - where would you need a 6+ speed transmission? (Lets be realistic for a few moments about the competition and the places they are going to be held at.)

Personally I think 3 is an efficient number. You got your Lo speed for pushing/pulling/etc. Got the torque when you need it. You got your high speed for trying to zip across the field as fast as your little wheels can get you. And you have one in between. (Say at the start of a match) and you have to push a goal/balls/etc. on the field - and your fast speed won't have enough torque - but your lo speed it too slow.

What do YOU think?