For me, not having a triple would be like replacing Mercedes' 7-speed automatic with a '60 Chevrolet two-speed Powerglide. My first triple had a 5-spd. freewheel and cross-chain gears combinations were not recommended, so there wasn't ever more than about nine speeds anyway. I think most loaded tourists have a triple with a granny. I find that mostly on the flats, I only use about two gears so I could ride a fixie but I like to spin up hills.