Originally Posted by
DrIsotope
I did Oak Glen with 52/36 and an 11-25 in the back. It ain't that hard. Just gotta be ready to stand, or grind.
But for the sake of full disclosure, over last year's miles, I averaged right at 4ft/mi more vertical on the heavy bike with the 11-42 than the light bike with the 11-25.
I was going to add... "yeah, if you ride 10,000 miles a year"
It really comes down to how much power you can put out- if you can keep an 39/25 gear rolling at 60 rpm plus, you will probably be fine.