I prefer triples because I can skew the gearing one way or another easier with a triple. I can stack a lot of gears/choices at the point where I want. With a triple, you have 2 ring choices for most every cog except the 2 on the ends of the gear range. Some days, one choice might feel better than the other. You don't have those choices with a compact. All you can do is increase/decrease your range with cassette/ring changes. You still will have the same shifting patterns/choices, though.