Most pattern aircraft look dumb with tall landing gear, and it does make ground looping a bit more likely. The differance in efficiency between two and three blade props is not that noticeable, so if you find the right three blade, use it. Problem with three blade props is that there are so few sizes and pitch.

Ed sorry if I was so strong. Those old WW II aircraft needed the gear reduction for any size prop because of tip speeds, not for multi blade prop. Nobody is using the very large radial engines anymore, so no more gear reduction. Many GA aircraft go well over 200 HP and are presurized for altitude. These aircraft generally have three bladed props because they must have very high pitch at altitude and yet have good thrust at low altitude, prop clearance is also an issue. However some planes have the same engine and power, but the pressurized version gets a turbocharger and three baded prop. The turbocharger is only used at altitude to maintain sea level presure.