Originally Posted by
PeteHski
If you read the OP's first post you will get the impression it is fairly hilly where he rides and he's a fairly big guy with a modest level of fitness. Plus he likes to sit and spin. A lot of people really do ride slower than 10 mph up hills - in fact most people do. It doesn't have to be Alpe d'Huez, they can just be short, steep hills. I don't think there's a lot of point in running an 11-28 these days, when 11-32 or 11-34 is now pretty standard issue on new road bikes with a compact crankset.
escarpment - a long steep slope.....
A 34T is a tiny chain ring. It doesn't take an advanced level of fitness to go up some hills in a 34/28. I would have suggested an 11-32 but he said he likes a close spaced cassette.