I just thought of one other thing that is probably best asked here (now that I know the protocol ). I live near coastal mountains and while (because of the knees) I don't go climbing much there are days that I think about it. But it seems my bike is not so well geared for climbing (I have run into hills that I am standing on the pedals and am not moving up at all in the lowest gear). Is this likely due to age of the chain etc or just that I don't have good gear ratios and would it be worth looking into changing that if it is possible on my bike?

Thanks again