Originally Posted by Mr. Beanz
I'm curious as why you feel you need a compact. 39/27 is pretty good gearing for climbing. I've seen 220 lb dudes do 10,000 feet climbs on a 39/25. Not to be sarcastic, but training makes more of a difference than equipment.
Sound like money is not a concern for you, why not just go with a triple?
Gently now. I am also looking at a compact. My road bike is great for rides around town, and I ride for hours on the flat without problems. But I can't make the hills on the Niagara Escarpment without putting in so much effort that I don't enjoy it any more. And biking for me is about having fun rather than proving to somebody that I'm strong enough to ride with the best of 'em. I don't want or need the gearing I have on my hybrid (which has a really tiny granny gear), but I would like to find those hills a little less painful. A compact seems an easier, and a more cost-effective way to go than a triple, although I'm intrigued by the idea of only swapping out one chain ring. Any more thoughts on that one?