In the end it depends on your power with where you ride factored in. I put a compact on last year in northern Illinois spent most of the season shifting the front derailleur or cross chained. For the few grams it adds, a triple with a 12/25 cassette will take almost any unloaded rider anywhere they want to go. For the average recreational fitness rider the 52 and 53 chainrings are pretty much of a waste IMO. I think they put them on for looks. My own preference is the Campagnolo 50-40-30 triple with an 11/25 cassette. The 40 is a great all around cruiser and it mates fairly well with all the rear cogs.