Originally Posted by
Beaker
Did you just open up another BF troll thread?
I was thinking the same thing. IMHO you can not figure out what you need without a reference frame. Buy something, ride it, and if it doesn't do it for you change the crank. If you buy a 105 bike then you won't even have to change the left STI (until you break it, but that is a different thread).
If I was in this position I would buy the triple, then if I decided I needed a compact douple, change the crank and sell the old one on ebay (or keep it in case I changed my mind). They aren't that expensive, and if you can't change a crank yourself it isn't that much at the LBS to let them do it.
Yes, I ride a standard double and a compact double, and the compact is about to be changed to standard. It is quickly becoming a failed experiment. I also have a triple that was given to me, but it has not been out of the garage in 5 years. Besides being a triple, it is somewhat of a "lead sled" and not much fun to ride.