Originally Posted by
a1penguin
I have a triple: 52/42/30 12-25. I ride mostly flat and I'm not a strong rider. Unless I encounter long grade or real hills, I spend all of my time in the middle ring on the front. This is perfect for me. I recently purchased bike and there aren't a lot of choices if you want a triple off the rack. I was worried, but I find that the compact double: 50/34 11-28 is almost indistinguishable from my triple. Almost same range of gears and the spacing between any two gears isn't too large. The hybrid has an 11-34 cassette and I HATE IT! The spacing between adjacent gears is too large! I haven't tried 11-32, but I'm happy with 11-28 on the compact double. I do find that I shift the FD much more often than I shift the triple. Here's a great site for gear comparisons:
http://www.gear-calculator.com/#KB=3...5&UF=2099&SL=2
Be careful if you think you can swap out a 32 for 28 cassette; that might also require a shorter rear derailleur cage and/or different chain length.
Can I ask a question about your comment then you shift the front dr more on the compact than on the triple. I have a 53/42/30 Campy with a 13-26 cassette. I spend most of the time in the 42 but on fast rides, I will need to shift into the 53 because I run out of gears in the 42. I was considering a compact because I can put a 12-29 cassette on it and keep in in the 50 chain ring on the compact. I think I would shift chain rings less often at least that is my reasoning behind wanting to replace my triple with a compact.
Or, I could put a 52/39/30 Campy 11 speed triple on with a 12-29 and almost never take it out of the 52.