When I was in my late 20's and racing out of Thousand Oaks, I rode a 53/42 with 12/21 8 speed all season, up Decker, Deer Creek, Latigo, Balcom and Mullholland etc. Some 18% sections standing there. Wouldn't do that now (25 years later) but back then we didn't know any better.

I don't know why people think that lower gears are a sign of weakness. You guys can trash your knees all you want. For me, I'm glad to have 30x23.

yeah, today would definitely NOT be classified as a climbing day, at all. I'm actually quite shocked that the climb number came to even that much. Today was a day to see how I would manage on a flat ride and trying to stay near the low end of my cassette in the big chainring. And like I mentioned earlier I think I'll be good with a 50T for a while. My range was between the 50/19 - 50/12 combos.

And yes, there's a TON of monster climbing from the Valley to the coast and all in between. I've done Old Topanga, Malibu Cyn and Mullholland once each. Still working my way up to riding them more often.

Don't worry LowCel, you're not. I hear where you're coming from. I do have some bigger climbs burried in some of my Strava rides. I know I'm new, but I also know that I'm already getting stronger and do enjoy climbing. The point of the thread was to get feedback on gear combos, which I'm getting, and appreciate!

At only a year of experience, just about every ride you do is going to be faster than the previous one. Think about this for a minute: if 53-42 was actually better, don't you think more experienced people would want it?

Stick with the standard and teach yourself how to ride.