Lower Gear Inches or HTFU?

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yoav

Unless heavily loaded and going up a steep hill, I doubt you’d notice the difference and possibly not even then.

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jontea in reply to @yoav

My thoughts exactly, not touring, it's on a Giant Defy Advanced, so far lighter than his old bike. Told him to grow a pair, he wasn't amused.

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slothy in reply to @jontea

Maybe a stupid thought, but could it be that he's simply not used to the feeling of a much lighter bike, especially when going out of the saddle? Would obviously mean that there is quite a big weight difference, but to me that sounds more likely than the tiny change in gear ratio.
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ColinTheBald in reply to @jontea

What are these legendary hills he is climbing? I am ancient, unfit and 9kg over my racing weight and can still puke my way up the 25% climb a mile away on 39×25. On the basis that he is certainly younger than me and is riding a much lighter bike, what the fuck is his problem? About 10 years ago I rode the Croix de Fer, Telegraphe and Galibier in a day on 39x25, sure, it hurt.