I use 48-36-26 (thinking about switching to 24 or even 22 if I have the clearance) and 13-34 8 speed cassette. I also live in FL and have ridden in the windy, 'hilly' bridges of the Keys. It can be just as tough for us given the right terrain. Most of the time though, we get a nice flat ride I feel like these gears still give plenty of top end speed and natural gear progression. I use a long cage XT but I have plenty of leftover chain wrap capacity. Go for it