Originally Posted by
hobkirk
................And, on equipment, I have a 53/42/30 triple with 11-34 gears. I am definitely not hurting for gearing options! I ride almost entirely in my middle ring, and I regularly use all ten gears.............
Something like a 12-25/27 cassette may work out much better for you.
It'll have closer spaced gears so you can spin a narrower, more ideal cadence range that matches YOU.
Use the small ring for hills when needed and the big ring for your higher speed needs.
This has really worked for me with my emphysema. I have to ride a narrow cadence range (80-85) and being able to shift up/down 1 tooth with the slight changes in head/tail wind or slopes allows me to maintain that narrow range.