Originally Posted by joejack951

1. You should match your gearing to your ability and pedaling style, and perhaps carry a bailout gear or two. What gearing that entails is a mystery to us. Do you currently ride the same mountains you plan on riding more? If so, has your gearing been sufficient or could you use an extra gear or two to help keep your cadence up? The only way lower gears won't have you going slower is if you up your cadence. If a too low cadence is tiring you out prematurely, lower gearing might even be faster assuming you can more efficiently spin at a higher cadence. If you are walking up hills because you are over-geared, lower gearing will, in most cases, be faster.

2. AFAIK, yes. The only issue you may have installing a compact is getting the front derailler low enough for the 50T ring if you have a braze-on mount. Most will allow it but some need the slot lengthened or won't work at all.