Are there real use of the lowest bicycle speeds? I'm confused about the speeds amount in my bicycle. There are totally more than 20 different speed configuration on my bicycle, but are there any practical use of such speeds as 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1. What are that crazy places to use these speeds in real world? Imagine, we can mount top 7 speeds of 10-speed cassette. Would it make sense to avoid slowest speeds since they are unused? P.S.: The smallest speed i have ever used it 2-3 and that was a crazy steep uphill ride with plenty lot of small stones on it. What is your lowest speed?

I ride the trails and they are steep as heck, and torturous. 30% - 45% climb, and they aint smooth climbs, most of it is rocky. Hence this is when the light gear comes into use.