about a year ago...I posted often on this subject as I was puzzled just at you are. The above posts make a lot of sense and I think they offering good advice. As with most things...when you finally get it...you'll wonder how you didn't know it right from the beginning...at least that's how I felt. Where I live...(lots of hills) I try to use the granny gear as a last resort and to always have at least one unused cog when in my middle ring...most of the time I manage to have two or three left....