i read this last night and it hurt my head. i don't think it works that way. when on the road having easier gears (larger cogs) makes the climb easier. that same grade with harder gears (smaller cogs) just makes that same gradient harder. the same would be true with a simulated grade. shifting to an 11 tooth cog will just make the 16% grade harder to ride. but if harder is what you want then do it.