Group Set Decision - Help!

[indysteel]

I ran those numbers using Sheldon Brown's gear calculator. I made a couple of assumptions (700 x 23cc wheels and 170 mm cranks). Based on those assumptions, it looks like with either of the SRAM Force choices, you'll lose your two smallest granny gears on your current set up. So, if you can live without those two gears, from a climbing perspective either SRAM crank/cassette combo will work for you.

However, in my experience switching from a triple to a compact, it's not the climbing gears I miss the most. It's some cruising gears in the middle. Sometimes, I just can't find the "perfect" gear for relatively flat and/or windy conditions. With a compact--especially one paired with an 11-28 (as opposed to, say, an 11-23, you'll find that you have some big jumps in between gears. It may prove harder to find just that right gear for the conditions.

Here's what I would recommend before making a decision. On your next few rides, note the exact gear combo(s) that you use the majority of the time when you're just cruising along at your favorite pace. Then play around with Sheldon Brown's gear calculator and make sure that the crank/cassette combos you're considering offer those gears (as measured in gear inches/gear ratios). For instance, I spent most of my time in my middle ring using the 15, 16 and 17 cogs in the rear. Before choosing what to put on my bike, I made sure that the set up I was considered offered those gears. Be sure to factor in cross chaining into the equation as well.

FWIW, I switched to a compact because most triples irritate my IT band because of their relatively wide q-factor. I was otherwise quite happy using a triple. I would go back to it if I could, although I do like the ease of shifting with a compact.

ETA: After reading V's post, I wanted to note that I live in a relatively flat area. Climbing rides are not my norm.