Originally Posted by
intence
With compact cranks and longer and longer cassettes, the need for a triple becomes less and less. Why have multiple sets of front shifters, cranks, FDs, etc. in you inventory/lineup. There's R&D and production costs associated with a larger lineup.
Don't underestimate the use of a triple crank on a dedicated touring bike. I've normally set mine up with the top two chainrings about the same as I do a double on a road bike, then have an extremely small third chainring for those times when you've got a steep climb and a full pannier load. It's the best of both worlds: Road gearing for the flats plus a built in climber.
While the triple is going to get marginalized (I'm old fashioned, I've never seen the need for a triple on a stripped road bike), it's never going to go away. It's too useful.
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