Originally Posted by
Daytrip
A standard double will shift better than a compact. I'm not sure if a compact will shift better than a triple. What kind of shifter do you have? If it's a 105 (5600) then it should work for either. Probably not as good as a dedicated double STI, but still pretty decent.
Having thousands of miles on both, I have an issue with this. I had Hollowgram with FSA rings with Dura Ace, later Red, and switched to a 50-34 set (the nice part about Hollowgram is that the crank and spider are two separate parts and easily switched) and it shifted no differently than the 53-39 I had previously. Not a single issue. You have to adjust the front derailleur and I took a couple of links out of the chain, but that's it.
I've since switched back, mostly because I ordered two new bikes and that's what was available.
I usually recommend the compact setup to people that are coming off a triple.