Originally Posted by
HillRider
Not really. A 26T granny with a 34T rear cog is a 20" gear (assuming 700c wheels) and at 75 rpm gives you about 4.5 mph. Most people don't walk that fast and certainly not while pushing a loaded bike up a steep hill.
Well... yes and no. I have a 24/34 low gear that I used on a steep (maybe 20%) climb while carrying a touring load. My wife was behind me, also loaded, and she was about as fast walking and pushing. I got a gap on her when we got to the top of the hill and I rode away while she had to pause and remount.