another triple user! i seem to do a lot of climbing rides.... so i end up using my triple! the bike shop tried to talk me into a compact.. but hubby looked up the gears.. and to get the easier gears... i lost too much at the top end for descents/flats... i didn't want to compromise.. heck... i already spin out on descents with what i have! to think i'd have been spinning out even sooner with a compact? no way!

i think a LOT of the pushiness with compact for the guys is their ego.. they can't stand to think they need a triple.. so they will lose gears on their top end to get those easier gears... i don't have that ego problem... i have a triple... and i use it!