I live in a pretty hilly place and I am a Clyde at 6'4" and 255.

Rain bike is 53/39 with 12-29 11 speed cassette and the Climbing bike is 50/34 with 12-29. When I first made switch to compact I was slower on steep hills as I reflexively bailed out out - in time have really benefitted from being able to keep cadence up on steeper inclines.

I just imagine I'm Christian VdeV leading Ryder up the Stelvio....