Coast to Coast: gearing and brakes

[Cyclesome]

I currently ride a 2007 Specialized Ruby Pro 50/34 compact double 12/27 with caliper brakes. I run out of gears when cycling the hills in PA and believe I would be better off switching out my gears for a triple or an 11/32 to cross the terrain of the US. Will a 11/32 give me the gears I need? Will I even be able to switch out my gearing? If I am able to switch out gearing, will it be cost effective to do so? What about disc brakes verses calipers? Please advise. My Coast to Coast is next March 2017 and I need the correct bike to start training. Thanks!!!!!!

[OakLeaf]

How much luggage will you be carrying? The more weight you're carrying, the more you'll want more gearing options, better brakes in the wet, and (what you didn't ask about) chuffier wheels. Which really adds up to a new bike if you're planning to ride self-contained.

If you'll be riding fully supported, then you could possibly get away with just a rear drivetrain swap. I'm pretty sure (but not positive) that with an '07, you'd need a mountain derailleur to accommodate anything bigger than 28T in the back. And if you stick with rim brakes, make sure you get pads that will stand up to mountain descents.

[Cyclesome]

The tour is 58 days and cycling with no luggage.

[Crankin]

I concur with Oak. My 2011 custom Guru compact has a mountain bike rear derailleur, with an 11-34, as there were no road derailleurs for this at that time. However, my 2015 Trek Silque has an 11-32 rear Ultegra road derailleur. I'd like to have a 34, but that is probably in my mind.

[wnyrider]

The tour is 58 days and cycling with no luggage.

You wouldn't by any chance be going with WomanTours would you?
I am signed up for their Southern Tier tour.

[Cyclesome]

I am and just received my packet in the mail yesterday. Thinking of purchasing a new bike as my current gears will not even sufficient for hills. Two bike mechanic at different bike shops believe it will be too expensive to switch out gearing especially if I need new wheels. Are you signed up as well?

[wnyrider]

Yes, I signed up for that tour back in Feb of 2015!
I have a 2011 Ruby with the same gearing as your 2007. I too looked into lowering the gearing and spent a lot of time reading through old threads on this forum. Found that a couple women had success using a sram 12-36t cassette with a new/different derailleur. New chain was added to their setups too. I don't remember the specifics right now. But, it can be done. I was going to go that route and even purchased a 12-36t cassette, but I noticed a nick in the carbon near my head tube. Bike shop checked it out and determined it was just surface damage. I continued to ride it, but won't risk riding it cross country.