My old trusty rockhopper...




On a rainy day...



I say bigger frame for road use for sure....and to get a sense of the gearing you want, just go ride your route a few times. You'll know if you're close or if you need to make some adjustments.

I ride in a hilly little town and I'm really pleased to have mtb gearing when I'm climbing a big hill with a bunch of textbooks and a laptop in that crate...on that steel frame...holding my fat ass.