I say the difference in bike will make up the difference. My wife used to ride a Crossroads hybrid with a triple. Went to a Bianchi double with a 38/28 combo and climbs much better on an 8 mile 6% average grade. She was worried at first and now going back to the hybrid, she wonders how she ever climbed anything on the hybrid.
Weight, position,efficiency and tires, 700X23 vs 35's make a difference imo.