Thanks all!

I'm strictly a recreational/transportation/utility cyclist too. I don't race. I just love climbing.

I tried to get a single crankset, but the LBS didn't have one. I needed the lower gearing right away, so I didn't want to wait for one to be ordered for me.

I thought about shifting with my hand, but the rear derailleur isn't designed for use with a front derailleur. I tried putting the chain on the small ring and it sagged. The rear derailleur didn't self-adjust to take up the slack in the chain.