When I lived in Kansas / Oklahoma / Texas, a double was plenty. Triples were the province of Fred and his friends. (Even compacts are for sissies in the mid-continent.)

Now that I live near some serious climbs, a triple is the only way to go. I've got a Dura Ace triple, so the trim options are sufficient to completely eliminate derailleur rub issues. Plus, when going from ring to ring, with a compact, a one ring shift in front means you're shifting four cogs in back to stay close to the same ratio. With a triple, one ring in front means you're shifting two cogs in back. It keeps the power flowing to the pavement better. There are climbs in this area that I wouldn't be making it without a triple.

In the past, a double shifted better than a triple. In recent years, that's been fixed.