When I chose a triple for my Trek Project One, lots of people I ride with wanted to know why. Yes, I rarely use it, but when I need it, it's there! It is a little harder to clean than a double, but other than that, I have had NO reason to regret getting the triple and plenty of times, I've been very happy to have it! (You might think of Iowa as flat, but not near the Mississippi, where I ride. We may not have mountains, but we have some BFH's! It's almost impossible to find a flat route around here.) Plus I would have died without the triple on Ride the Rockies. I can train on hills, but not altitude! Honestly, I had never heard of compact doubles when I got the bike or I might have considered it. Now, it's not worth the money to switch, since I am happy with the triple. I think it's great that there are so many options available!

Annie