mihlbach: Not really (need to know),if he gets advice for a 26"er but rides 29,simply adjust a couple teeth steeper out back

If you've got "sustained climbing as well as short steeps",don't let some guys living in te flats tell you "2:1 is the best ratio",they wil say it,trust me. For hilly rails witha 26"er,IMO I'd start off with 20-22t cog (assuming a 32t front),or 29"er I'd try a22-24t rear. I ran 32x24t (I own no 26"er mtbn bike,BTW) at my old house and local trails which are a bit hilier than here,I run a 22t for the hills here (until I sold my SS...building another as we speak,it will be 32x22 ). Just my 2 cents,I'm in no way an expert,but I know my own likes and dislikes,hope this helps