Originally Posted by
knobster
One of the other things I've been playing with is using a big/big combo. I have a 48 big gear and a 27 on the cassette. This has gotten me up a large amount of local climbs here that are sustained. Not sure why, but it seems easier and I believe it may be due to the added leverage from turning a bigger sprocket. I'm sure I'm talking out my ass here, but it did seem easier on the miles of climbs I've done this way.
Likely, the only advantage you are getting by using the big/big is not losing the momentum that you otherwise would if you shifted into the little ring.