1) Using a bigger gear helps me to position the pedals properly because it’s easier to gauge where they will be as you approach an obstacle.

For example, say you’re passing a big rock on your right. In a bigger gear, you can cover more ground per pedal stroke. So you could do one complete pedal stroke and set it up so your right pedal is in the “up” position when going past the rock.

In a smaller gear where you’re maybe doing two to three full pedal rotations in that same amount of space, you can’t “time” the pedals to avoid the rock.

2) It’s all relative. The gear Lance can spin at 90 rpm while climbing is probably a gear that the average person couldn’t spin at 90 rpm on a flat road! But it will be an easier gear than what he’d be in if he was using a 75rpm cadence.

1)I find when I’m in mt granny gear I generally can climb steep pitches at least steep where I bike (over roots and obstacles ) Lately I have been trying a harder gear not because of I spin out but just to try another approach . I find I have to have the peddles in the correct postion in order to get over roots and rocks.Any suggetions would be appreciated.
2) In group rides on the road in order to keep up with the hammers in the group I push a big gear and cadence is about 75rpm. On the last I ride I noticed my legs hurting but my heart rate up as well. when we reached a steep hill I was glad to down shift and spin. I actully felt recovered after the spin. How do you train to spin and still maintain a good speed? Does Lance Armstrong spin in a easy gear or hard gear.