Choice of rear cassettes as well - I had an 11 to 32 or 34 I used or an 11-23.

The 11-23 had nice tight spaces between the gears and made it really easy to find a good gear - and had me using the front triple more. The 11 to 32 or whatever it was (mountain bike cassette) was better for hills, but on flats it could be a hunt for a comfortable gear.