Originally Posted by Smokehouse

I will start that here in Central Illinois...most "climbs" are very short but very steep. No mile long climbs.

With that said, I run a 52-36 sub compact and went to a 12-30 rear this year. I hated it. I was spinning too much most of the time...heart exploding RPM up hills and was averaging much slower speeds than I did with a 12-28 rear. I slapped the 12-28 back on last week.

So...long story short...with the OP's 50-34 coupled to a 32 rear...you're damn near in mountain bike territory there. You can go up some seriously long climbs...but you'll be doing it at 95 rpm and 8 mph...