Originally Posted by
borobike
Ha, thanks! And will do. I am indeed having a ton of fun with this bike, every ride seems better than the last. I'm hoping I'm strong enough to where 1st gear in the big chainring is easy enough for me to get up some of the killer hills around here, but if not I guess I can cheat and use the smaller chainring. I've gotten used to staying in the big one though.
.
.
.
Free tip: The small ring is there for a reason.
Save your knees. In 20 years, the older version of yourself will appreciate it.
I frequently see guys mashing up big hills on the big chainring during group rides. Maybe other guys are impressed. I'm not. I'm impressed by the ones who go up the 9.7% grade hill, turn around and come back up again before the stragglers make it up once, if at all.