My DH tried to discourage me from buying a road bike with a triple, but I insisted--not embarassed at all (thought he would crawl under a rock when I refused to even test ride a double at the LBS). Rather have a "granny" gear than walk my bike up a hill. I learned it from a Joe Kurmaskie book--he tours with one. This summer I'm trying to graduate--not use it on hills, and I haven't yet. But it's there like my "blankey", in case I need it.
My BIL didn't realize I had it. Halfway through a century, he was taking a poll of the gears other riders were using--and everyone was in their small chain ring. I said, "I'm in my middle ring." He said, "YOU HAVE THREE. NOT FAIR. I gotta get one of those." Ha ha. Who looks silly NOW
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." --Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
'09 Trek WSD 2.1 with a Brooks B-68 saddle
'11 Trek WSD Madone 5.2 with Brooks B-17