I'm wondering if you could try a compact double? That's what I have on the bike I got early this spring, and it's actually got a lower gear than the triple on my old bike, and weighs less to boot! I have an FSA compact double with 50-34 chainrings. Most "regular" doubles have 53-39 chainrings, so going from a 39 to a 34 in front helps! You can plug the chainring and cogset sizes into Sheldon Brown's gear inch calculator to see what it will give you - it depends on your wheel size and largest cog in back as well. I have smaller wheels (650C) and a large cog in back (13-29 Campy) so end up with a low gear in the 28-29" range. I haven't had any problems climbing even major hills with that. My Terry bike had a standard Ultegra triple in front (30-42-52) and a 12-27 in the back, still a nice large cog, but even in the granny, I only had a low gear of 30".

To change to a compact double, you'll likely require a bottom bracket change but not a front derailleur change, and shifting is simpler than with a triple in front and will be what you're used to now. Inquire at your LBS for details if you're interested.

Emily