Thanks. I'll put a mtb derailleur on as you suggested, and go with a 32 or maybe a 34 in the rear. 34x34 would make hilly rides a lot easier. Two things for my Christmas list
Originally Posted by
Unagidon
Depending on how desperate you are, get a nine speed mountain bike cassette (say 11-32) and a mtb rear derailleur, then run the wire as per the "alternate cable" method shown on the attached page.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html
You can have 34/32
Or even 34/34 depending on what cassette you get.
I just added some gearing to my Crosscheck - the bike came with double crank (48/36) but triple crank arms. So I added a mtb 26 chain ring, with 105 shifters and 12-27 cassette in the back. Thank God for the low gears cause I really needed them for my gravel road ride yesterday.