I use my gears religiously. I rarely ride in the hardest gear except maybe downhill. I hit hills as fast as I can but I drop through every gear when the strain is too much and since I'm out of shape that happens quickly and then I get to granny gear most everytime. I downshift at stops too so I use my gears alot . Around here I'm probably in granny more than I'm in the hardest gear due to the rolling hills. I don't like standing to pedal I loose some balance and it seems harder to me.