[MENTION=509331]daka[/MENTION] I agree. Even as a non-vintage aged C&V member, "good looking" gears in, say, Seattle proper are for preening and peacocking. I love the look, but 10-15% grades make a mockery of them, err...me. Best for flat courses and failing to impress the single, and fairer sex. Ask me how I know.

Andy, I think the chain length/wrap is fine so long as the big-big combo is avoided, like it is mostly for us cyclists. Having the extra grace built into the system for brain fart moments is nice, though, I will admit.

A critical questions, perhaps, is this: once mentally signed up for a triple, do you tend to get...opportunistic as to how low a gear you can fit? Sure, pushing a 12-23/12-25 FW or cassette with a 42/52 or 39/53 chainring combo can be tough at times, but do you find yourself content with leaving the 23T or 25T low cog in the rear with the additional 28-36T low ring in front? Or do you find yourself wanting to go for maximum potential and trying to fit a 28-32T max cog in the back? I know we're talking about a 28T presently, but this goes for other builds. I will admit to chasing the 1:1 or better low-combo, even if the reality of a 12-23 or 12-25 rear gearset is ideal for cadence-to-effort fine-tuning. Something that Campagnolo, with their 13-26T 9- and 10-speed cassettes, are really good at. I remember one Port Angeles ride (60 miles total, out to The Hook) with the Miyata 1000 where I really enjoyed being a human CVT with that rear gearset.