Originally Posted by biker7
There is no psychological dependence for me...its physical. I have ridden all of them and prefer a triple for overall riding. If you never ride on hills, you won't likely ever need a triple. A compact is a good compromise but I believe it is just that...a compromise. I think many don't like a triple because of ego...complexity...not set up properly....don't know how to shift them etc. They are wonderful when set up properly and you learn to shift them. Small ring is great for climbing...mid ring great for flats and rollers...and big ring great for standing and sprinting with lower cadence and for maximum speed on flats and descending.
George
See, that's the issue, I don't know where I will one day find myself where there will be a need. I regularly ride hilly terrain featuring some pretty steep inclines, but the middle ring without serious cross chaining has more than sufficed ... but no doubt, not the most challenging terrain.