gears are a real personal thing though, i mean i cant ride with anything other than 18:17 or alike, thats pretty easy obviously, where as other riders couldnt get on with a gear that easy. most riders use 18 or smaller cogs up front now and most people use the norm, 16:14, 18:16. easier gears make your bike feel lighter and more flickable in my opinion, but i think your right about harder gears being better for tapping, uping in general, although it does come down to getting the right technique at the end of the day. i think vincent, kenny, giaco use 18:17, thats what i have heard anyways and they dont have problems with upping:p best off getting a load of old cogs and trying different ratios.