Originally Posted by ChowChow

A 50/34 12-26 9 speed has enough gears for you to climb a steep hill. Leave the 11-31 for the mountain bikes. You shouldn't have to change components other than the saddle and handlebar grips on a new bike. If you have to, then that's not the bike for you. I'm able to climb steep hills with my 48t middle chain ring on the lowest gear. You should be more than fine on a the 34t on steep hills. Like I've said, if you aren't planning on doing mountain and hill rides 100%, then ditch the 11-31 cassette bike.

50/34 12-26, 12-28 9/10 speed are found on road bikes. Ask anyone who owns a road bike with those gears/crank set on how it handles hills.