I know this was directed to the OP, but I thought I'd chime in too. I live in the Ponca Hills area of North Omaha, NE, right on the Missouri River bluff. There aren't a lot of really long climbs but some are VERY steep. I'm also a bigger rider (6'4, 179) and find sprinting much easier than climbing. That being said, I find the 50/34 and 11-26 to be perfect.

Also when I'm in Ames, IA, I do a lot of riding near Ledges State Park, Seven Oaks and the Des Moines River which also provides some nice steep hills [but again, not very long].

FWIW