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Double vs triple, that's a no brainer. Triples are heavy. Triples are not as easy to keep properly shifting, and have a greater chance of having the chain derail from the chainring due to the slacker chain when on the small chainring. I don't even use them on my mountain bikes any more. If you need the extra low gears (very hilly area, fitness concerns) you can get a bike with a medium cage rear derailleur and rear cogset that goes to as much as 32 and pair it with a double. At that point, you have a lower gear than the standard triple, without the triple's shifting issues, weight and duplicated gears.
With your longish torso and relatively short inseam, you might fit a mens bike better. Don't let the marked size fool you; mens or unisex bikes will have a longer top tube and feel less cramped. You could also try a longer stem on your current bike to stretch out your torso a bit and open up the cockpit.
Tzvia- rollin' slow...
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