Move from triple to compact is killing me.

[Becky]

Took the advice of some other folks that a compact would be fine... that I'd only lose 1 gear at the top and bottom. I obviously didn't research enough on that one. my bad. If I didn't have the griding hip pain to contend with, I think this would be a non-issue.

If you were just switching from a triple to a compact, I'd agree with this. But you also lost your mega-range mtb cassette when you switched, so you lost even more low gearing.

I think I'd consider one of two things:
a) Switching to a road triple or even a touring triple. This would mean confirming that your left shifter is double/triple compatible, or replacing it with one that is triple-compatible. You may also need a new front derailleur, but it's hard to know without seeing the bike.

b) Switching to 9-speed in the rear (I'm assuming that your Madone is 10-speed), including a new derailleur, an MTB cassette, rear shifter, and maybe a chain. My only experience with 9/10 compatiability was on DH's commuter, and the 9-speed shifters didn't play well with the spacing on a 10-speed cassette.

Catriona's suggestion of a SRAM XX cassette has possibilities too. Just keep in mind that a SRAM rear derailleur is not compatiable with a Shimano shifter. Something about the shift ratios being different- I'm drawing a blank here.

*wanders off to check out the part specs on the Madone*