Originally Posted by
Maelochs
Obvious solution would be to switch to a 48-tooth big ring. Obvious question is how can he develop sufficient power to climb but not to pedal on the flats?
Solution is important, question is not.
Depending on the location, climbing an be slogging up a 20 mile hill, or those short and sweet 1/4 mile power climbs to the top. The two types of hills take very different types of effort. A hill can also be perhaps a 4% slope, or a 20% slope, again, both also taking different efforts and perhaps different gearing.
Nonetheless, spin fast enough with a low enough gear, and it may not really make much difference.
For me, I usually have just a little extra in the reserve tank for hills that I don't reach with ordinary flatland riding.