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!!!!!!