If you think you might need "more" than what a compact & 26 low cassette can give, check out Sheldon's "custom" cassettes. Compare the ranges using his calculator.

-On my brevet bike I went from a full sized double crankset 53/39, to a 52/42/26 triple-and will be running his 13-30 "century special". -Picking it up today, hope to do some monster hills this weekend.

I'm 35, no knee problems-but get severe achilles inflamation if I have to grind/stand up hill while on long (6hr+) rides. I'd contemplated a compact, and perhaps will put one on my regular road bike.