I have a dilemma. I'm a reasonably fit 29 year old guy who's currently building a bike. I've already purchased the expensive parts, including a 50-34 compact crankset and SRAM Doubletap shifters and derailleurs.

I also just got the opportunity to go on a fully loaded bike tour (camping, front and rear panniers, etc.) from Chicago to New York City in early September.

The route is mainly flat. I'd go from Chicago to Kenosha, take the ferry to Michigan, continue across Ontario, cross over in western New York, and take the Erie Canal east. Once you get closer to New York City, though, things get a bit hillier. That's the part I'm concerned about.

As I see it, my options are a) work with the bike I'm building, or b) get a new Fuji Touring at $600. (I can get a pretty good deal at my LBS.)

If I go with option A, I'd put a 32t cassette on the back. That gives me a "granny" of 28 gear inches. Or I could get a new SRAM mtb derailleur and put on a 36(?!) tooth cassette, but even that only gives me 25 gear inches--and I don't even know if that'd be compatible with the Doubletap shifters. Plus it'd cost ~$100.

So: is there a way to do this trip on a compact crankset?