777 Optimum/Recommended and Step Climb

[BMM389EC]

Hello

I was wondering about the 777 Optimum, Recommended and Step Climb Levels. I understand the Optimum is min trip cost when in Econ and that Recommended looks at winds. How come then one will sometimes see it recommending say FL320 now but with a 2000ft step climb it only wants to climb in say 100 miles or something.
I would've thought when the Recommended changed to say FL320 that it would coincide with the Step climb?

Any ideas?

[777fly]

The usual confusion with a climb NOW recommendation, but with a step climb indicated some distance down the route is that you have been held down and have bypassed the optimum step climb point to the next level. The FMC will then look at the next level above where you should be ( but are not) and is plotting the step climb point to that level.

[BMM389EC]

Hmmm, still a bit confused...

Cruising at Fl 300
Step size 2000

Recommended Fl is 320
FMC Step to Fl 320 is sill 100+ miles away???