realskiers

Yes, depending on your weight and level of power output, it is easy to justify a triple for a lot of people. It's truly amazing how many people that weigh more than I do (180) do not even use a compact. Some of this also has to do with body type. People that are heavier but very muscular can get a way with climbing in a bigger gear, as they have the strength and the muscles to do it. Most would be better served by getting a compcat or a triple and spinning more at a higher cadence.

I have a good friend who for years was a Cat 2 racer (just below pro). He weighs 136 lbs and he is an excellent climber. He uses a compact all the time in training. In a race he doesn't need it because he is always in a bigger gear, so having a compact in the race would be of no benefit. In training he swears by it and he says it has helped him immensely in training so that he can spin more on hills.

So yes, the very simple asnwer is for many a triple is a great solution. The only real issue with a triple is that they are cantankerous. They just never operate as smoothly and as reliably as a double. But to be able to spin at a higher cadence, it is well worth it.

My guess is that in Virginia, you probaly don'y have enough hillls that are steep enough or long enough to justify the triple. Out here that is not the case.