Originally Posted by
valygrl
Why do you hate front shifting so much? Does it not work well? Maybe that is somewhere to start.
I switched from a triple to a compact, but not sure my experience is relevant, since my cassette is nothing like yours on the triple. The amount of front shifting I do has probably increased a little on flatter rides and not changed much at all on hilly/mountainous rides.
I do miss the closely spaced gears on the triple, though, and I miss my middle ring.
I think you would do best to get an 11-2x cassette, you won't spin out your middle ring as soon. I think if you get a compact you are really going to miss your 42 ring.
A new cassette is a very small investment compared to a whole drive train. Unless you want a new drive train, in which case, get one!
Mainly I hate shifting the front when I am riding with a friend of mine and we are both hammering it and I spin out the 42 chain ring. Shifting to the big chain ring means he is going to leave me in the dust. However, I think the best option would be to put a 25-11 cassette on then I know I will not spin out the middle chain ring until I hit maybe 25-26 MPH.