Originally Posted by dddd

Whenever I finally shift to the small ring, after shifting to the biggest cog in back, I immediately also nudge the rear shifter up one gear, so the big drop doesn't have me losing so much momentum. This yields a full 7 sequential gear ratios going across the entire range. I worked hard to master this quick double-shift, and now it gets me up the steeps AND has me keeping up with the more serious "training ride" riders. I love the challenge, my five gears to their 10 and 11, and my 27.5 lbs to their what, 15 lbs?