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Go Viv! I had a theory about riding bikes and gears (that I came up with while riding this past weekend). I think it's best to be on the largest ring (up front) that you can be at all times. For example, I'd rather ride at the biggest ring up front and the smallest in the back than the smallest up front and somewhere down on 3 or 4 in the back. I think it's easier? I have no idea why, and I'm sure there are some serious bike physics going on that could either prove me totally wrong (or maybe even right)! But I just like doing it like that... how about you??

I think the biggest thing to keep in mind is that you don't want to have your chain crossing from outside-in or inside-out between the front and back gears. Biggest up front and smallest in back makes sense because they're both on the outside. Biggest up front and biggish in back is actually kind of bad; you'd probably better off on the middle front ring and a smaller back ring. As for smallest up front, you probably never need that unless you're climbing a hill ... and in that case you'd want to be in one of the larger gears in back.

As for feel, I think it's partly a matter of personal preference. I like to pedal at a certain cadence with a certain amount of resistance. That, plus terrain, wind, etc., results in my picking which gears to use.

Phew, that was a lot of blab. When are we gonna ride? :)