I don't care about pedaling speed, only that I can pedal easily if the need arises. 36/18 should be ok for hill assist with the engine running. I may go up on the back a bit, perhaps 22 when I get paid next. 36 in the front is bound to make some sort of difference over 44 though. I don't have a multispeed. Lower pedal gearing will mostly be for hill assisting (my 98cc Lifan makes decent power, but its no Predator), or in case I run out of gas. I will most likely end up with 36/22 before all is said and done. I've got some cheap pedal chain right now that I can shorten for the 36, then when I switch to the 22 in the back I'll put my kmc 410H chain on and it should last a very long time as a pedal chain for me, being as how I only pedal when I need to.