Originally Posted by
McBTC
Triples date back to 5-speed freewheels and friction shifters. Off-road and tour bikes with dated freewheel technology is where you can expect to see them now but not on modern alloy road bikes that I aimed at the largest segment of the bike market that is more interested in getting a new bike of the highest quality for the least investment with zero desire to own a remuda of steeds...
I have explained the shortcomings of compact doubles to my wife, sister, and 2 co-workers. All had this 'AH-HA' moment where they interrupted and starting going on and on about how they too often find themselves with a cadence that is too slow or too fast(depending on the ring they are in).
If they had a triple, they could ride a middle ring thats 38-42T and spin with a confortable cadence. They could also have better bailout gearing when needed with a triple.
Is gearing that is constantly either too high or too low really 'the highest quality'? Sure it can be made well, but I would argue compact doubles often times arent close to the best tool for the job so they then also arent the highest quality for the job.