Originally Posted by
BluesDawg
This has been discussed to death on several threads and there is no consensus. Compacts give plenty of range for some people, but there is no way that a 34 tooth ring can offer the same low gear potential as a 30 tooth ring. Cassettes are easily changed. Some people find they shift the front less often with a triple than with a compact. Weight difference is negligible.
Have to agree and it is up to the rider. I ride compacts locally on our hills and have no problems but just converted one bike to a triple. That is a bit of future proofing as I do plan to go back to the mountains sometime and feel that a Compact just would not be low enough.
I think that a compact is better than a triple- but others will not agree.
The Roubaix is a fine bike and haven't found anyone that dislikes it- yet.