Quote Originally Posted by Catriona View Post
The smaller the # of teeth on the front chain rings, makes it easier to go up hills. The larger the # of the teeth on the rear cassette makes it easier to go up hills.
Pretty sure this was spose to say that the smaller number of teeth on the front chain makes it easier to go DOWN hills.

I have an 11-28 double. I LOVE being able to pedal faster on the downhills. When I got my bike, all the components came off dh's previous bike. It had an 11-25 cassette. I rode that bike for over a year before dh realized I had such a difficult climbing gear. And, of course I didn't know any better! He sent me and all our riding buddies an email saying that I was an insane climber for doing the climbs I had done with that big gear. I was a snail going up hills, had to work so hard, and was mentally depressed to be passed by the entire world on hills. Since he changed it to an 11-28, I am STILL one of the slower climbers, all the more reason to give me the better gearing! But what a difference it makes. That and making myself climb hills to get stronger. I just experienced great joy last weekend on the club ride when I passed three people on a difficult climb. I don't think I've ever passed anyone on that particular climb EVER. Definite ego boost.