Double, triple or compact? Help.

[oldfatfool]

I have a triple on the tourer 48/36/26 with a 11-32 , but will accept a 22 inner ring and 34 cassette if you are expecting anything vertical. The 'racer' is also a triple 52/39/30 11-28, I don't like having to push

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Do many people really use those 50 x 11 highest gears?

52 x 13 was found wanting at Tomatin and Berriedale wotsit so I guess some people might yes.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Agent Hilda has a 50/34 compact and it's as easy as pie,

Oh. That's what she's saying. We must get her to enunciate more clearly, to avoid confusion, like.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Really? I had 48 x 13 and didn't feel that I needed a bigger gear.

Needed? Probably not.
Wanted? Once I'd spun out, definitely.
Regreted? Once I saw the bend at the bottom of Berriedale, absolutely.

 

[mcshroom]

I had a maximum 42x11 on that trip. I think Berriedale could have benefited from a few more gears and so could a couple other hills on that route. OTOH 22x32 was very useful for getting a heavy touring bike over Clisham the following week