I have a triple. I love it.

Of course, it's not necessary, but neither is television.

I almost never use the big chainring. Downhilling for a commuter does not need speeds above 35 mph. So without the big one, it's really only a double.

But the triple is not a bad thing.

The only problem I had was adjusting the front derailleur. That was a real pain, before I switched out to a 20-year old Schwinn gear shift.