Nishiki International Retrofit

FWIW. If you insist on changing the crankset then the best bang-for-your-buck may possibly be an FSA MegaEXO crank & BB ...

There are many OTHER options ...

Including a MTB crank ...

• about 12+ years ago, when I was trying out different combinations (I generally ride on mountain roads), I put an old LX crank (42-32-22) on my Road bike (for one ride) to see how viable-or-clumsy it would be ...
  
• the rear derailleur on the particular ride was a Campagnolo Nuovo Record, so when the chain was on the 13t cog of the 13-28 SunRace 7-speed Freewheel, the chain was hanging slack on the return BUT there weren't any problems other than cosmetic ...
  
• I eventually opted for an XTR rear derailleur, BTW
  
• before that, my other setup had a Sugino AT (50/34) crankset with a long cage Shimano Crane rear derailleur BUT I eventually swapped to a 'regular' 53/39 Road crank when "Compact" cranks became the vogue ...
  
• and, I eventually opted for a wussy 11-32 Cassette with the 32t being my bailout cog
  

Which is MY way of saying that you need to figure out the high-low gearing that you will ultimately want-or-need to use ...

BTW. I would NOT shorten the chain AND I recommend that you consider buying a long-cage rear derailleur (yes, long cage rear deraillers are NOT considered to be fashionable) UNLESS you are using (or, planning to use) something approaching a corn-cob Freewheel ...

• I know someone who was using a 52/42 Nuovo Record crankset who opted for a 34t largest cog + a Shimano MTB rear derailleur
  
• which is MY way of saying that simply changing the Freewheel-or-Cassette + adding an accommodating rear derailleur may suffice ... and, probably be less expensive.
  
  

Thank you very much for the info. At 25, I was not too concern about hills; at 56 I try to avoid them as much as possible. hahaha. I'm going to ride with what I have and make the decision whether to change or not after a few hundred. Thanks again!

...a corn-cob Freewheel...

I love hearing that old terminology, Alf!