Actually, when I tested a Compact 11-28, the 34/28 combo isn't all that bad on climbs. Though I haven't encountered an S turn where the inside turn is much more steeper than the outside. If and when I get my bike, there are a couple of S turns back to back in my area. However, I'm not looking into tackling that climb until the legs are much comfortable. One thing I realized is that you don't necessarily have to always go fast on a climb all the time.