So a few months ago I decided to go tour the southern tier. I've been a bike commuter long enough to keep my bike in decent working order and am comfortable with routine maintenance, but I decided I wanted to teach myself some more about the in depth workings of my bike and swapping components, and so made what is now seeming like the very dumb decision to try to make my '01 lemond poprad suitable for touring.

I initially had a 9 speed with 52/39 ultegra double crankset and figured I'd just switch out my derailleurs for long cage ones, and go with a 52/42/30 road triple crankset with a wide range cassette in back. This sounded great in theory, and I got as far as swapping my crankset and front derailleur, trading my double sti shifters for triples, and getting a triple rear derailleur, but I went to my local bike shop to get their advice about a cassette, they told me that my frame is too short to accommodate a triple crankset.

I'm a little unclear as to the details of the explanation, basically that my inner ring would create an impossible chain angle? If anyone can explain that to me in a way that makes more sense I would appreciate it, sorry for not being better at explaining.

Anyways, my question is: is there any way I can make this bike work with the components I have, or is my frame really not suitable? The folks at the bike shop recommended going with a compact double, but I am not a strong hill climber in the slightest and am somewhat wary of that plan. Any advice or recommendations would be extremely appreciated.... I'm leaving next week so am a little bit in last minute panic mode about suddenly needing to drastically rethink my bike. Thank you!!