And separate from the above reply- I had mountain bikes till 3 years ago. Gearing on these was 44/32/22 and a 9 spd 11/32 cassette. Off road and I need those gears. Did a couple of century road rides each year and just changed to slicks. I still needed those low gears up some of the steep hills.

Then 3 years ago changed to road and gearing of 52/42/30 and a 12/28 8 spd cassette. Those steep hills I struggled up the hills on the MTB with 22/32- I still struggled up with 30/28 but no harder. Then I got another road bike with compact crankset of 50/34 and 10 spd cassette of 12/27. The same hills I struggled up with the triple with 30/28- I now struggled up with 34/27- but no harder and in fact a lot quicker.

Don't know what bike you had before- but a lighter more suitable bike for the road is easier to get up the hills. Even if the gearing is higher. BUT- on the mountains I do change to lower gearing of 28/28 and I need it.