I've been contemplating switching my bike to that combination. I currently have a 52-42-30 with a 9-gear 11-32 cassette. I have two idlers on my bike for both directions of chain travel but they are fixed. Now I'm wondering if I should keep the cassette I have and only change the ring to 24...OR...(and this might help with the OP's issue)...switch to a 26 ring and maybe the 11-34 cassette might be more doable. I have the same rear derailleur by the way.

I guess I should add that I cannot imagine ever needing to use the small ring/small gear combination so perhaps this is moot.