Yeah - I ain't 20 years old and 130 lbs anymore. I am a "normal" cyclist that does not exaggerate my abilities. BF ain't full of normal guys like me. Anything over 8% for me anymore is a struggle even with a 30x27. When running a 34x27 I'm losing my granny in the back, so going to a 34x30 would get it back for me.

Now, you KOM riders out there who can crush 20% grades in a 42x21 probably don't care, but for me and 99% of the normal riders out there, a 6% grade for anything longer than 100 yards is a damn hard hill to climb. So I need grannys.

It didn't used to be that way - believe me. Check out my blog http://www.recycledcycler.com

But at 52 years old & 175 pounds and a lot of muscle loss in my legs, easy gears are now a requirement