It's been my experience it's easier to stop and control your speed down a hill with a lower gear. Like it's easier to stop a 42/16 than a 48/16. It's the same reason as it's easier to climb with a lower gear. That said, once you get in a few miles (a lot in my case) you'll figure it out with whatever gear you've got. This won't be popular with the no brakes guys but you might want to run a front brake for awhile and kind of ween off of it as you go. Practice skids too!