Originally Posted by
kmart
Thanks for all the advice (
and lack of ridicule 
). I'm in my 20s, right around 150lbs and in decent cycling shape with a couple of centuries under my belt. However I haven't really built up a high tolerance for lactic acid in my calf muscles and I definitely do find myself getting impatient on those false flats. Hence I get burned out quickly if I'm not careful to keep a constant spin, sitting up in the saddle, not bobbing too much, etc....
I think your honesty and lack of pretention threw everyone off
Had you used words like
crush, kill, smoke, waste, hammer or
dropped anywhere in your OP, then you probably would have received a different response. HTFU the most likely reply.
[sincerity] Given your concerns, a 12-27 would give you everything you need. Plus, with two cogs, you could always build a custom cog using the best of both. [/sincerity]