Originally Posted by
billydonn
Correct. This is the bike that's going to Italy this summer. Granny ring is 28 tooth and I'll probably take an 11-34 cassette along. There appear to be some pretty steep sections in some of the places I'm going. I can climb most anything around here (it is NOT as flat as you think) in 38 x 30 or 32 at most, but when I need easier gears I really need them. I know my limits.
I think you're smart with the gearing choice. My brother spent a month riding in the Dolomites and said some passes were very steep. Better to go with too much gearing than not enough.