Originally Posted by Brett 12
No.......No........No.....
In fact a Compact with 11-21 is like have 11 speed cluster (16 progressions/non redundant gears ) compared to a double with a 10 speed cluster (14 non redundant gears). Although some would say 14 is enough.....compact is also lighter and more aerodynamic (although diffrerence is small ....every bit counts)
Not a 7 speed cluster like you said (aka 14 speed).....Like I said It's more like an 11 speed cluster.
Lectron, here is a gear calculator..
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/ plug in 11-21 and 50/34 for chainrings.
The purpose of having multiple chainrings in NOT to have a big succession of sequential gears. It is for having multiple "speed ranges". That way you are shifting the rear a lot and RARELY shifting the front. Trying to use all of the gears in sequence is not what it was designed for.
I like the triple idea. Three speed ranges and a tight cassette. A compact gives up your high gears. If you don't use them, fine. If you pedal when you descend (I do), then 52-11 is nice to have.