Originally Posted by
Roger Ramjet
I have bikes that have 50/34 and 11-34. What I've found is that I "run out of leg" before I get to using the 34-34 combo on a steep hill, and end up walking it. Other riders' experience can, and probably will, vary. At 69, I can not climb like I used to.
All of the above discussion about what the OP can change is good and valid. But my take is that he is asking for opinion if he needs to do the changes before he starts riding, and I don't see that he is in a bad place to start with, with a 34-30 lowest combo.
I encourage him to take that beautiful bike and have at it.
Thank you. Actually I am riding the bike and I do enjoy it very much but I am thinking of switching to easier gearing due to a few factors...aging, bad (very) feet and the thicker heavier tires. I also want to start riding some of our beautiful unpaved trails here.
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