Quote Originally Posted by alpinerabbit View Post

No - IMHO, exactly the opposite. With the compact, you will have to spin more often to cover the same distance, but at less resistance. But I have never been intuitive at physics (although I wasn't outright bad).
To put it simply: Compared to the regular double, you have an overall set of easier gears. Yes not the amount of options of a triple, or the easiest possible granny gear, but a cheaper remodel, lighter weight and IMHO more precise shifting.
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I was comparing to a bike with bigger gears, not smaller. So we're both right.
my triple has bigger granny gears than your compact.

remember, just because you can go up a 20% grade hill without dropping into a granny gear doesn't mean someone who is already having trouble is going to want to do that. (or be physically able to!)