Originally Posted by
celerystalksme
are triples more prone to finicky mechanical issues?
if you wanted to stick with a double...maybe something like a 52/36 or a 50/34 with like a 11/27 cassette would give you a pretty wide range for various conditions...no?
Maybe some have noticed something, but I have never experienced anything but flawless front and rear shifting with my triple - Shimano 9 speed, fwiw.
But again, to keep harping - with the same 11-27 (or more likely a 12-17) cassette, the typical 52-42-30 triple will give you a significantly higher and lower gear. I use both the highest and lowest gears on mine (12-26 w/ this triple), every single ride I take from my house. But I live in pretty decent hills. I ride with two guys who have compact doubles and so far I haven't heard them complain, although I spin a little faster up the steep hills and a little slower at top speed.