Just the voice of experience here. I took physics and remember little or nothing. And no, I did not stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

BUT - In January I switched from my Shimano Ultregra triple I had been using since I started road riding (6 years ago), to a Campy compact double. I am not some young hammerhead-ess. I am 54, carrying about 20+ pounds more than I would like, and live at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I do not and never have been a fast climber - uphill is my weakness - but for some reason the double is in most instances easier, and in a few, no harder than the triple. My theory is the weight savings by not having the extra chainring. The gearing is similar - my triple was a standard 52-42-30 with a 12/27 cassette. Now I have a 50-34 with an 11/27 cassette. I love it and have no plans to ever go back.

Good luck!