Help! Quick question about groupsets.

[missyR]

Hey there,
I'm recovering from microfracture on my knee and looking to throw myself into cycling when i'm allowed. To give myself a wee incentive I'm looking at getting a new bike but confused with all the different groupsets and whether to go for a triple or compact. It may be worth noting I've previously had mosiacplasty on the same knee so keen to avoid as much strain through the knee as possible.

Any advice?:)

ps looking at a Ribble Sportive Bianco

[missyR]

What type of terrain will you be riding? How strong a climber are you?

When you do get a road bike, make extra certain you have a very good fitting to avoid further problems with the knee.

I speak from experience here. :)

Hi there,

Not a very good climber but willing to spin it! Unfortunately I live in Scotland so avoiding them is futile! Its gonna be all tarmac cycling for me now!

:)

[pinsonp2]

I have some knee issues and I opted for a triple on my Madone. That is just me. Some of the compact double 10 speeds are very close to the same gearing. However, I believe you get smaller increments with a triple allowing you to build up the strength in your knee. Just my 2 cents and YMMV.

P2

[Crankin]

Yes, this is true. I have 2 road bikes. One with a triple and an 11-27 cassette and one with a compact and mountain rear cassette. So the compact actually has lower overall gearing, but there's a big jump between the gears. I've had to get used to it. It's not the lowest gear that may actually be the most important thing to you; more the ratios and the spread between each gear.
Personally, I'd go with the triple if I had knee issues, as I would want more small increments between the gears.

[missyR]

I have some knee issues and I opted for a triple on my Madone. That is just me. Some of the compact double 10 speeds are very close to the same gearing. However, I believe you get smaller increments with a triple allowing you to build up the strength in your knee. Just my 2 cents and YMMV.

P2

Many thanks for this. I had the feeling they were similar but couldnt get my head round all the ratios. Its going to be work in progress so will be building the knee back up.


And welcome to TE:)!

I think P2 is correct.

Thanks been about for a while but maily just window shopping and learning as much as possible :)


Yes, this is true. I have 2 road bikes. One with a triple and an 11-27 cassette and one with a compact and mountain rear cassette. So the compact actually has lower overall gearing, but there's a big jump between the gears. I've had to get used to it. It's not the lowest gear that may actually be the most important thing to you; more the ratios and the spread between each gear.
Personally, I'd go with the triple if I had knee issues, as I would want more small increments between the gears.

Thanks :) when you say more increments what ratio do you recommend as unfortunately we do have some hilly areas on my regular commute.

[Crankin]

I am not really sure what you need to know. I am not a whiz at calculating ratios, etc. But, I live in a hilly area, too, with mostly shorter, steep climbs, as opposed to long (like 5-10 mile) more gradual climbs. I routinely ride up 10-12% grades on almost every ride.
I started out with a triple that had an 11-25 rear cassette and when I moved to my current house, which is on a lot with a 15% grade driveway, on a 10% grade street, I got a 12-27. That was 6 years ago. DH just put a new cassette with a 28 on the rear today, as he did the spring maintenance. Of course, you might be a lot younger than me, as I am closer to 60 than 50. I am a pretty good climber in that I can get up almost anything, but I do it slowly, especially on longer very steep climbs. I'd rather go 3-4 mph than walk...
What I don't like about the compact is that it is missing the cog (the 16) that is my "sweet spot" for riding on flats. The gears that are the closest ratio either feel too easy or too hard. I've been riding the bike with the compact all winter (well, not tons of outdoor riding) and basically, I decided to toughen up and use the harder gear. It feels better, but my speed is definitely slower on this bike and I am not that fast to begin with! However, since this is the bike I will be using for traveling, sometimes to places with big climbs, I like the idea of the lower overall gears to lessen fatigue, especially as I age.

[rivergal]

Got a carbon frame last year that came with a triple, and after much consideration, kept it because of my knees. It's mostly flat where I ride, but I like having the granny gear at hand if I need it. The savings in weight wasn't enough for me to opt for a compact double, which was my other option.