I have a 2002 Bianchi Veloce Triple (30-42-52; 13-28) and am finding myself having a hell of a time riding it up hills. I had it fitted/adjusted, which helped a little, but I'm still struggling. I grew up in New England and have climbed some serious stuff, but I'm now in N.Va and find myself in my granny gear on something that's a quarter the size of what I've tackled before.

My old bike (aka "the green machine") is a late 1980s, 21 speed Bianchi Axis Pro, which carried by butt across the U.S. and is a little more cranky than the '02. Despite its weight, it's much easier to ride up hills, probably due to the rear cluster (I think it has 30, maybe 32 teeth behind, if that's possible - Suntour components). I prefer to sit and spin as opposed to the stand/sit/stand/sit method - my knees aren't exactly fantastic (due to said x-country trip).

I'm registered to ride in a metric century in mid-May, and I haven't received the route information yet, so I don't know how bad the inclines are. I was planning on riding the newer bike in it, but I may take the older one if I can't improve my hillwork.

I love this bike (especially after having made the Wrong Choice with my first present-to-myself and stupidly buying a too-big used Lemond Zurich), but I'm afraid I'm not [wo]man enough to ride it. Is there an option here? Or am I maxed out on components? Do *not* want to sell, but it's a bit useless if I can't ride it without feeling like absolute crap after... and not the good kind.