cyccommute Thank you. I had seen that gear calculator before, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around what I'm looking at on that site, and others, particularly as it relates to the 17 gear steps between the two comparisons you did for me.

In the spring I'm seriously considering getting either a TREK Domane SL 7 or a Specialized Rubaix Expert. I currently have a Specialied Allez Comp with a 105 group set, the triple I mentioned and a 12-27 cassette.

Both the new Trek Domane SL 7 and the Rubaix Expert come with that 50-34 chain ring in the front and the same 11 speed 11-34 cassette on the back. In either case the bike will come with a Shimano Di2 group set.

Is it practical to make the changes you suggest as far a triple in front and a wider cassette in the back on a Di2 stock group without further breaking the bank on a $6k bike?

Thanks again for your help and any further information you might have.

Glenn