Thanks for making me realize I have no idea what I'm doing(not making some smart remark). I'll try method 2 but if that doesn't work then I'll just take it to the shop because these hills around here are too big to constantly ride with that much difficulty. But could somebody explain to me why after I took the gear cables out that its suddenly easier to ride with the chain on the largest sprocket(in the rear) instead of the smallest one? I'm trying hard to understand all the terminology so sorry if the question still doesn't make a lot of sense.