I did 15 miles hilly XC on my wonky 34T this morning (replacing a round 32T). Just an 18 on the back. Conditions were snow, slush, ice, clag, clarts, puddles, even a bit of sun. Perfect SS conditions.
Nothing negative to report. The spin felt smoother not lumpier or square. Hard to say if I was any quicker on the flats (but partly because they were covered in ice so I was mincing).
Likewise we didn’t do any of my benchmark will-he-won’t-he-make-it climbs, so that test will have to wait.
I reckon I did feel a benefit on spinning up to attack short stabby climbs – when you’re doing half a dozen fast pedal strokes to get some momentum onto a ramp. I’m pretty sure I was accelerating quicker, hitting the climbs with more power and keep it going longer. Big win there if I’m right.
I also think I noticed a bit less forearm pump.
Possibly I could have gone to a 35T. I need to go do some of the steep grindy climbs – the ones at the edge of my ability – before I can be more certain. I’m pretty sure I could run a 35T in the dry anyway.
All the above is totally subjective and unscientific.