Originally Posted by
deep_sky
I used to run a triple (50-39-26) and have recently converted to a mini-compact. 48x32 in the front and 12-32 and the back. Since converting to a double, I found (and noticed) that people who ride triples seem to go out of their way to not shift. They either stay in the granny and spin madly, or grind away in the 39 or 50/52 at a low cadence because they fear double-shifting. I found that I shift more with a double, and my gearing is almost as low as a normal triple set up. I lost some top-end, but that's ok, past 27-28 mph I am usually coasting anyways. The mini-compact seems to make the difference. I am using a White Industries VBC crank to run 48x32. Sugino also makes a line of cranks that allows for a mini-compact.
Interesting. I ran a compact 50/34 for awhile. Ran a 12-25 cassette cuz I prefer tight ratios. I spent more time in the 50 but had to shift chainrings more often around town than I do with the 52/42/30 where I spend more time in the 42 around town as I described. I run a 46/36 for 'cross but that's a whole different story.
Again, part of what is nice about the triple is being able to run a tight ratio cassette, not just the large total gear range you get (thought that is nice too). With a 13-26 9-speed it's mostly 1 or 2 tooth increments. Nice for dialing in your cadence. And you can choose between two ranges, 52 or 42. And you've even got half-steps in there. The 30t ring is more for bailout and I only use the largest 3 or so cogs on steep climbs.
I understand the philosophy of the compact double, but I'm loving the triple now. Don't know how many speeds you're running but a 12-32 cassette means some pretty big intervals in there. And there's no half stepping over such a large chainring jump 48/34 (or 50/34 in my old case).