Something wrong with my gears, or with me???

[Mr. Bloom]

Another thing is don't wait till you start the climb to shift. drop into your middle chain ring before you hit the bottom of the hill. You might spin like crazy but you will b more or less ready for the 20% grade.

+1 here with an additional thought...coasting on the hill is not the end of the world. In fact, I'm finding that I'm often faster coasting downhill and part of the way up the next hill than when I pedal.

Then, taking smilingcat's advice, being in the easier gear, you won't feel the "spin like crazy" sensation. I like to pedal the first third of a downhill, coast two thirds, and then coast about 1/3 of the new uphill (if I can). It gives me a rest.

Try this is you're comfortable with it. There are different theories...and they either work for you or not.

[li10up]

Good advice about shifting and tension on the chain...but it sounds to me like a mechanical issue. I had a problem on a tour one day last year that I couldn't shift from my big chain ring to my small...turned out the front dérailleur just needed a little lube...Sounds like it could be that or a cable tension issue.