Curmudgeon in Training
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Rural Retreat, VA
Posts: 1,956
Bikes: 1974 Gazelle Champion Mondial, 2010 Cannondale Trail SL, 1988 Peugeot Nice, 1992ish Stumpjumper Comp,1990's Schwinn Moab
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I'm willing to bet the op has a 42 as the small ring on front. A 39t is a $3.00 change at most if the op can do the work. I had to make that change on my bikes for the hills here.
The other change is in riding style. You can't expect to maintain a constant speed in hilly areas. Gain speed going in, change gears properly ahead of time and keep pedaling. Judging from your name, you're in Los Angeles. I am fairly certain there are few hills there that a 39 can't deal with.