Hi All,

I'm a new rider (began May 06)- started out with a Giant Sedona, moved to an FCR3(cross) and just got a Giant TCRw road bike (geometry for women). the guys at my LBS said that I'm definitely strong enough for the gearing (though they've never ridden with me)- Its a compact 34/50 and the cassette is a 12-25. My FCR was a triple 30-42-52 with an 11-28 on the rear. When I compared the gear ratios I am losing about the last 2 granny gears with the new TCR. Oh- the new TCR is much lighter than the FCR (23lbs vs. 18.3).

My questions is this- I am not a very strong climber - I dread steep hills (I live on a steep hill-live in the Catskills) - I get up a moderately steep hill very slowly (maybe 6-7mph) and I can feel it in my back. Would you recommend that I just practice more on hills or have the rear cassette changed to a 12-27 (It would give me 1 lower gear that's almost as low as a 30/27-if I had a triple).

Thanks for your help- I am new and don't know if the guys at the shop know about women and hill climbing.