Originally Posted by
rms13
I grew up in boston and I don't remember mountains. white mountains, green mountains, berkshires but compared to where I live now those are called hills. I ride mountains where I live now with a compact double and do just fine
Sorry but this one of the sillier posts I've seen on BF. I lived many years in Boston as well. Just because you don't need a compact out west doesn't mean much. Some folks do fine with a compact, some need a triple. There are some seriously steep climbs in N.H. and elsewhere. The grades matter a lot in how hard a climb is and some of the toughest riding I've done has been in hilly areas like the Gunks in NY.