My macho struck again. I recently got a new bike with DA 10 speed. I had a 9 speed, 650 wheel, 11/23, 53/39 set up before. Letting my macho get the best of me I figured that I should go to a 54/42, most likely I even puffed out my chest when I ordered it. Whoops, I was wrong. The 42-23 is kicking my A#$%^ on the hills. My cadence is in the low 50's and I think a 70 year old lady on a trike blew by me on a hill the other day. I do use the 54-11 on long down hills, few and far between. So here is my question....

Should I go to a 12/25 or break down and go to a 39 chain ring? My only thought is if I get stronger, I would be able to spin the 42-23 up a hill, so I am leaning towards the 12/25. I believe the 39-23 and the 42-23 are the same ratio

Thanks for the help.

ex-macho man!