Originally Posted by
Hatsuwr
Well, I wasn't trying to define optimum. "Goal was to shift from the smallest gear ratio to largest with the most even steps and in a way that was simple and avoided high-loss combinations."
Don't think conditions will affect much either way, and unless you want to add more complication to the progression, this should help with exertion if anything.
Still, when choosing between 50/34 and 30/20 which have only a .03 difference in ratio, the decision is pretty clear to me. I'd even go so far as to say optimal, regardless of conditions, exertion, etc. Maybe if you broke one of your arms, although with that choice I'd still probably just lean over and shift carefully
So you're pulling a steep hill and you're getting gassed and you're already on the wrong side of your power curve -- what do you do? Consult a spreadsheet and think about it?
Most people who ride more than a little will just grab some lower gears as quickly as possible to minimize further slowing. Exactly which lower gear is not as important as shifting quickly. Can't seem to find those factors in your chart. [And most people who ride more than a little will know other scenarios.]
Friendly suggestion: Ride more and you'll be much happier.