Originally Posted by
TallRider
unless you really like pedaling at 60 rpm, lower gears than a 39/25 would be beneficial for the climbs you're talking about.
you could also get a wider-range cassette (12-28 instead of 12-25) as a different way to get some wider-range gearing. But switching to a 50/34 would probably be the best way to get you some mountain gears. Unless you really like having a 53/12 top gear and would be disappointed to have a slightly smaller top gear.
I'm guessing you'd have to pay someone to swap your cranks, but you could sell your current crank on eBay. Front derailer could hopefully be adjusted down a few mm, although I don't know the "braze-on" situation with your frame.
I already have a 11-28 cassette on order to replace the 12-25 I currently have. 28 is actually slightly out of spec for D/A rear deraileur, but I've heard it works with a little adjustment on the B screw. This should get me some help but just wanting to understand how much work is needed to get.
I have a brace on front deraileur. I expect it would need to be adjusted updown a bit.