Its all about getting it right! Seriously its not that bad. The funny thing is if I was in this ratio on a geared bike I would wimp out every time even though it isn’t killing me. But once the mental option isn't there to shift you just go into a different mind set.

 @sterlingmagnum: I like the idea of shedding a pound or two of weight and really like simple stuff like steel hard tails . I ripped the head tube off my pump track bike.
I may go SS for my next project.
What it your gearing ?

 @Sshredder: do it!
I have a 32 ring up front and a 22 cog out back. I am able to get up stuff I really didn’t feel like I was going to be able to. As I get stronger I will drop the rear in order to carry more speed going down but for now this is doing it for me.