Originally Posted by JGAN

I'm setting up my bike for moderate touring and randonneuring, and I'm debating whether to swap the small chainring from a 36t to 34t. It will keep the 700x32 tires and 11-28 cassette. Looking at a calculator, that will be a change from 34.84 GI to 32.68 GI, or about 6-7% decrease.

Is this a noticeable and beneficial difference in the ability to climb? I'm not having too much trouble just riding around the city, but with 20 lbs of gear I worry that I will have issues on steep grades.