I just bought a new bike. I got a compact, it's a 36/50. I personally love it. I came from a triple and It might be in my head but, I've had it for 4 weeks tomorrow and I think it's made me stronger. I did have a problem with the chain dropping when I first got the bike, the bike shop didn't have any compact front derauiller (sp?) is stock and wouldn't be able to get them for a month, so he called the Giant dealer and he suggested putting a triple front derauiller on it and it shifts perfectly.

There seems to be a huge shift towards compact's this year. I think you can get them with a 36/50 or a 34/50. With my 36/50, my boyfriend says that I only lost the 2 (maybe it was 3) of the lowest gears of my triple. I don't know what you would be losing with a 34/50.

Good luck!
Sarah