Originally Posted by
WestPablo
Sometimes, that 34 tooth inner ring on the compact double, just isn't enough, and that's even with a 28 tooth cog!
Might be enough with a 32 cog though. The main thing is that options in triples are very limited these days on new bikes. E.g. Trek only offers it on the Lexa on their top SLX model at $1500+, out of her price range. If she can find that GT Corsa 1.0 in her size that's great, but it's a closeout model, and she didn't say if she had a nearby REI.
If not, if looking at new bikes, it seems it could be comparing 8-speed triple vs. 9-speed compact, which is closer to a wash in my view, since the extra cog mostly makes up for 30 vs. 34. In either case, depending on the hills, I am suggesting getting a 34 or even 36 tooth cassette put on (would need MTB rear derailleur also to handle greater spread). With the triple maybe a 26 instead of the 30 small ring instead of the cassette. It really depends on the terrain. Peggy what area of the country are you riding in? Do you know the percentage grade & length of any of the hills you'd like to tackle?
Regardless, at your current weight, there are likely hills too steep that are going to have to be walked, not ridden, or maybe avoided completely for awhile. But low gearing should help get up the lesser grades, slowly, but at least you get up, and eventually you get faster as the weight drops off and fitness improves.