Originally Posted by jrobe

"Downgrading to a triple"


Downgrading??? When you struggling up a steep and long climb with a triple crank, you will definitely look at it as an upgrade. There is no disgrace in bringing enough gears to the party if you ride regularly on hills.

It is expensive changing to a triple crank though. You can save money with a compact. Do a search here on triples vs compacts - endless posts.