Ok, here's the deal I have a 2006 Raleigh Competition with a double compact in front, a 36/50. And my cassette is 11/25. 10 Speed Ultegra in back, with 105 Brifters and front derailleur. Now I'm wishing I would have bought a bike with a triple because I'm getting spanked, grunting my way up the canyons. Now, to upgrade to a triple is virtually impossible, new left brifter, new crank, etc. etc. That's more than I could spend for quite a while.

So I was wondering...Would upgrading to a 12/27 cassette be worthwhile? Will those two extra teeth make much of a difference? I would like to spin up the mountain, instead of the stand grunt stomp routine I've been falling into.

I was also wondering about mounting smaller chainrings in front, but that brings me back to replacing the crank, probably, which I would like to avoid.

I LOVE this bike. Just not when I'm climbing so much.

Thanks for your thoughts.
Al Peterson