Originally Posted by
fstshrk
I have a 9 speed Tiagra triple on my Jamis Aurora (2009) and 10 speed Ultegra Compact Double on my Roubaix (2012). I hate the 50/34 chainring combination. Can't get in the right gear. The middle ring on my Jamis is a 42 and is perfect. I am guessing, I would be a lot happier with the cyclocross 46/36 combo (as suggested by Jiggle above). If I need to, I can always put the 12-30 cassette in the back.
+1. A 50/34 double is like a triple without the most-useful ring. I tried one once and hated it.
Sounds like the OP needs the wide range of a triple (nothing wrong with that), and would be much happier with that setup. Once he had a triple installed, he could probably use a slightly-tighter cassette for even nicer shifting.
