OK...did a little research and have an add on...

my rear is (i guess what you would say) is 11-23
it reads
11-12-13-14-15-16-17-21-23

so what you are saying is that i can get the double up front 34/50 then get a bigger set in the rear, maybe a 13-29 without having to change the derailer?

if so that may be the answer...

i knew there was a reason i went into photography instead of accounting...no wait, that deals with numbers too (and they are backward )...NO REALLY...you ladies are a HUGE help...this is starting to make sense! I almost want to go into the manliest bikeshop i can find and talk gear ratios just for an ego boost..hehe