Glad to know I'm not the only one who is going to smaller chainrings. I ride a double which was 51-38. I just switched the 51 to a 46. What an awesome change! I didn't realize that I would gain in hill climbing capabilties, I can shift better (small hands didn't move the shifter well) and I have more power. Plus I am using less effort.
I checked with the bike shop today and they think I can put a 13-29 cassette on without changing the derailluer.
I ride a lot of hills too, mostly short and steep, and I can usually climb them ok. It's the long steep ones that cause the problems.