GP, Threads involving compact gearing usually draw some serious debate.

I ride 8S road bikes and a compact crankset just doesn't allow me to fill the intermediate ratios as I like, but since the advent of wide range 10S cassettes the compact crankset has become a viable alternative, IMHO. The potential for less weight is certainly a draw for some as well for those that just don't like the look of a triple on a road bike, but still need low gearing for their most ridden terrain.

There also maybe a marketing move towards compact cranksets as one bike wouldn't need to be built in both a double and a potentially less popular triple. The future of the triple may evolve to modified mountain bike cranksets for recreational and touring riders.

Brad