Originally Posted by
abdon
Thanks a lot for all the input. Right now I'm going to try the 11-28 and a Sugino 48/36/24. This will be the cheapest way to modify things, and if I still feel like going the 9 speed route I should be able to use this crank.
That was going to be my suggestion. Changing the 28T granny for a 24T is a cheap and effective way to get a lower gear and the 11x28 cassette will give you the same low gear as the 28x32 low you now have.