My Trek Valencia (2010) was set up similarly. I never liked the EF50 combo brake/shift levers so bought separate levers for it. I also disliked the rear cassette spacing so changed that to a 12-23 cassette. I only have to tackle smaller hills so went single chainring up front with no front derailleur. Going 700x28 tires definitely made longer distances more enjoyable--seemed less like pedalling a barge. Even going Shimano SPD pedals made a difference. Love this bike even though I have a faster flat bar road bike.