I'm assuming you want to go flatbar?
I'd sooner do 9-speed, especially with a triple. Even with a double, I've found 9-speed to be more than adequate on my double-equipped cross bike and triple-equipped MTB.
For drop bars, 3500 Sora are excellent for the money. Great ergonomics (the same tooling as 5600 105), very sturdy and solid shift/brake action.
Otherwise, for flatbar, hard to go wrong with Deore stuff, 9 or 10 speed. That stuff is bulletproof at this point in its development.