Life is not vanilla and there are many issues to consider between the two. I use and prefer Campy primarily because I think that the ergo levers are more comfortable and intuitive than the shimano dual controls. The flat hood top fit my larger hands much more so the the scooped shape of the Shimano. I also prefer the button - tab style lever for shifting to a harder gear. It provides a nice thumb / fore fingers action. Buy the best group that you can afford. The old addage, "buy the best and cry once" probably best applies to bike stuff.

The triple crank will provide you with a bail out range of gears, but unless you are chugging up very steep grade or carry weigh (on you or the bike) or are not yet as fit as you would like to be, the triple could be a good choice but discussion about the compact crank with 110 mm crank spider is "spot on". I have been using a Ritchey Logic for 6 years now and it was a good investment. It's actually made by Sugino, a qualtity Jap manufacture. Back in the 70's, I rode one of their cranks and they are well made and affordable. I think that I recently saw the newer Ritchey Logic crank with the Isis style bottom bracket in Bike Nashbar for a very nice price.

Having just moved to Utah, there are some real hills out here and I removed the 42 smaller chain ring and replaced it with a 38, but I think that this thing can accomodate down to about a 34. For 10% grade and greater rides, I go with the 38 / 26 or 38 / 28 which gives me a fast spin for the steepest grades. Keep in mind that large jumps, say from the 34 to the big ring which will probably be a 53 don't really pose mechnical problems as much as you will find yourself trying to find that sweet spot which always seems to be in between. ANYWAY, a compact crank with a 38 or 37 small chain ring and a rear cassette with a 26, 27, or 28 large gear will give you plenty of hill climbing ratios. And, if you end up spending time in flatter territory, it's very easy to swap that cassette and change that small chain ring vs. pull the crank to put a double back on, take out some chain length or change the long cage rear derailure, fuss with the front derailure, and so on.

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