This is my attempt to try and convince you why a compact double is better than a standard triple.  at a cadence of 100 rpm (in black). As you can see from the lists below. The compact with an 11 tooth cog has a higher top end than the standard double and with a 26 tooth cog is almost as low as the standard triple. Because less strain is put on the chain it will shift better and run smoother. Now that Shimano is offering a 11-28 cassette with their new drive train it gets even better. Standard Compact Gear chart using MPH @ 100 RPM For 700 X 23 / 23-622 tire with 172.5 mm cranks With Sram 10-speed 11-12-13-14-16-17-19-21-23-26 50 34 11 35.5 24.2 12 32.6 22.2 13 30.1 20.4 14 27.9 19.0 16 24.4 16.6 17 23.0 15.6 19 20.6 14.0 21 18.6 12.7 23 17.0 11.6 26 15.0 10.2 |  I have had a lot people tell me that they ride a triple because they are new to cycling. Well that's just another reason to ride a compact. When the bike runs smoother it is easier to enjoy cycling and a compact crank definitely runs smoother than a triple. Standard Triple Gear chart using MPH @ 100 RPM For 700 X 23 / 23-622 tire with 172.5 mm cranks With 10-speed 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-24-27 Cassette 52 39 30 12 33.9 25.4 19.5 13 31.3 23.5 18.0 14 29.0 21.8 16.8 15 27.1 20.3 15.6 16 25.4 19.1 14.7 17 23.9 17.9 13.8 19 21.4 16.0 12.3 21 19.4 14.5 11.2 24 16.9 12.7 9.8 27 15.1 11.3 8.7 |