Quote Originally Posted by OakLeaf View Post
The difference would be somewhat smaller between 28 and 30, but I'd think you'd still notice it on the steepest hills where you'd be using your lowest gear.
Well, you two wise ones, you were right. Parts got delivered earlier than I expected yesterday so I swapped it out and was able to sneak a ride in before dark last night. I took to the steepest local climb I know of near me. Oy - I noticed the change, Ladies. I've taken one of the climbs before. It's a 19% grade. I used it to do four hill repeats while trying out bikes from the LBS. All trials I stayed seated. This time around I had to get up on the pedals. Then I tried a hill I haven't tried before. It's easily over 20% grade but since I didn't look down at my Garmin to check the grade I can't say what it is, and I didn't come through on Strava. I didn't finish it because I felt like I was going to fall backwards while I started the climb. I should have leaned forward but this was my first time off this hill. With my feet clipped in, I started feeling like my front wheel was lifting so I snapped off before I cracked my head and/or my Rubes.

Verdict - I felt the difference. Thanks to you both for your advice. That 11 tooth gear is great and it's not worth the loss of climbing confidence!