Originally Posted by
SoSmellyAir
I don't know about that. I have 50/34 and 12-28 for the road, so 34:28 is my rarely used bailout gear.
34:30 is a little bit lower but hard to say whether that is sufficient for gravel. As I mentioned above, it mostly depends on the terrain.
terrain, and fitness, and rider weight, and power output...
The OP is a bigger guy...
A chain, long(er) cage rear derailleur and a pie plate cassette can be installed for a few hundred bucks. A 34/42 combo will get you up just about anything.