Is it possible that your "advisors" we're comparing to a standard double, and not a triple? The standard wouldn't have the weight penalty of the triple.

I've never ridden a compact, so know nothing there. Only recently acquired a triple, my Dad's Trek Pilot 5.0. Not sure the gearing is as good as my standard double (I know the high end isn't as high - similar cassette, but only a 50 big ring, vs the 52 I'm used to).

If I were buying new today, I'd probably consider the compact vs the standard. I like having the triple so far, but have been trying to avoid the little ring, but also end up cross-chaining a lot, so need to use it. So far prefer the double, but it's what I've ridden forever.

As far as the spacing of the compact goes, just remember everybody used to ride 10 speeds! Just imagine going back to the same high & low end, with only 4 steps between!