Originally Posted by
jrobe
"LBS owners etc advised that the compact offers basically the same level of gears as a triple "
That is because the bike they were trying to sell you came with a compact. It will now be pretty expensive to change to a triple (new shifter, front deraileur, crank, etc. - $500-1000). On steep hills, it is frustrating to run out of gears. You can easily gain a couple gears with a triple that can make all the difference in the world on a long, hard climb. If you need the gears and can still return the bike, now is the time to do it.
With all due respect, you were not there and have no idea what transpired.
Unless you really need the granny gear, between these two options compact is the way to go. Giant's been offering it on their better sport bikes, and it's turning up on more and more top end bikes.
I ride compact. I like the higher spin rate.