Aluminum frames?

[Jiffer]

My husband doesn't like triples at all and always tells me not to let anyone convince me otherwise. He says they have more shifting problems, i.e. don't shift as smoothly and/or chain comes off ... much more often than a double or compact double. We have a triple on our tandem and always have problems, and it's a nice triple. But his opinion isn't only based on our tandem.

So, maybe that will make you feel better about your compact double. I know there are a lot of people that feel otherwise, but those are his two cents.

I have an aluminum frame, by the way. Cannondale CAAD9 with carbon fork and seat posts. Love it. But if I were riding on bumpy roads as often as you, I might want a comfier ride. Mine's built for speed and I need all the help I can get in that area!!!

On a side note, there are different grades of carbon, making for a different feel for every carbon frame made.

Congrats on the new bike! Now ... GO RIDE IT!!!!!!

[Chile Pepper]

My husband doesn't like triples at all and always tells me not to let anyone convince me otherwise. He says they have more shifting problems, i.e. don't shift as smoothly and/or chain comes off ... much more often than a double or compact double.

Has he been talking to my husband? Mine doesn't like them either.

As to the different levels of carbon, my 5.1 is Trek's white OCLV. It is really, really nice on these bumpy roads. So much gentler than my steel bike.