I have the Raleigh Passage 5.0, basically the same bike, but with trigger shifters and disc brakes. Maybe a bit thinner tire 700 x 35. I am in Florida where it isn't hilly at all and find that when I ride over a causeway I need the lower gears. I don't understand all the numbers but gearing is the key to riding in hilly areas unless you have legs of steel. My wife has the same bike in a women's version and really likes it, too.