To answer the questions on gear issues, go to this page,
http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/

Plug the following into the blanks:
Choose your tire size from the drop down menu (700x35c tires FX or 700x25c Pilot)
use 170 for the crank length
then pick your RPMs (I like 80 or 90)
plug in the sizes of the front chain rings, 48-38-28 FX or 52-42-30 Pilot
then pick your gear sizes from the drop down menu 9 speed 11-32 or 8 speed 12-26
Press "calcluate."
Repeat as necessary