Originally Posted by
Andy_K
Unless I wanted to use the 11-34 with my triple....
Anyway, I'm not saying you can't make a compact work. I'm just saying a triple is better. I have yet to hear an argument that convinces me otherwise, with the possible exception of "I want to use SRAM and they don't make triples."
I currently ride a triple, but thinking of getting a compact double with a wide ratio cassette in the future. The reality is I rarely use the large ring except in a big decent - for my uses something smaller then the 54 in the front would be better. I have been nervous about giving up my small gear in some of my bigger climbs, but it seems like a double vs triple will mean simpler shifting in the front, less over lapping gears, less combos where "cross chaining" is a problem, simpler tuning, etc.
The bike I have been looking at is a gravel grinder and I think it has a 48/34 in the front and a 11-36 in the back, which I think will give me a pretty good range.