Evan:Your extended gear, uncovered and unfaired, will be much more noticeable drag wise then going from 26's to 29's, at least that's what I experienced. I lost climb and cruise, as in noticeable no question (after a few hours flying that is, at first I thought it was just "bad air"). Once covered AND trailing edges faired, even the cabane, I gained it back.

Plus, several hundred hours later of off airport ops, including ski flying, not one maintenance problem with the gear fabric, rocks and brush prefer the belly and tail feathers it seems No real downside to cleaning them up that I've found and I got my performance back. I get the leaving it nekkid thing, but don't kid yourself there is a price to be paid, less drag wins every time. The Cub guys that claim bare gear don't matter are not correct, sure you can burn more fuel to push through it and make it appear less apparent but nothing special about bare gear, bare round tubes= lotsa drag over faired.

Don't want to be a wet blanket, it looks great!