NoCal girls: what crankset?

[SadieKate]

Since the compact double vs triple question comes up a lot, I thought I'd set up a poll specific to our area. The Central Valley is flat but the coastal mtns and the Sierras have huge climbs, both long and steep.

Therefore, using the following guidelines, choose the crankset that is closest to the crank you use on your roadbike.

Standard double: 39-53 chainrings
Compact double: 34-50 chainrings
Standard triple: 30-42-52 chainrings
Touring triple: 26-36-48 chainrings

Please describe where you ride. Common routes and hills.

[maillotpois]

Standard triple on both bikes.

But now it's 53, not 52 standard for record 10, I believe. Which is yummier.

I ride mostly in Marin County - Mt. Tam, lots of climbs and rollers. I do pretty long distances. An average training ride is 55 - 80 miles, my "event" rides are all over 125 miles. No centuries this year - just doubles!

Can I vote twice, once for each bike? ;)

[SadieKate]

But now it's 53, not 52 standard for record 10, I believe. Which is yummier.

Can I vote twice, once for each bike? ;)These are guidelines, not rules. Remember that line?

I considered allowing more than 1 vote, but, I don't know, gut reaction was that that just confused things and now I can't edit the poll itself.

[maillotpois]

These are guidelines, not rules. Remember that line?

I considered allowing more than 1 vote, but, I don't know, gut reaction was that that just confused things and now I can't edit the poll itself.


The pirates' code is guidelines. But apparently the SK/TE poll is rules.

[SadieKate]

. . . using the following guidelines, choose the crankset that is closest to the crank you use on your roadbike.Huh? You been reading engrish again?

[maillotpois]

Huh? You been reading engrish again?


I was referring to the "more than 1 vote" "rule".

[SadieKate]

If you can figure out how to edit the poll, I'll be glad to change it. Just for you. :D

[Lenusik]

When I got a new bike with tripple, I immediately changed it to double. But that's just me, I wanted to become a stronger climber. I actually did. However, I use 27 for my ring. That really helps!

[bikerz]

I voted (once!) for touring triple, but actually, I have a 24 - 38 - 52 (?) hmm - now that I think about I'm not sure what that big ring is, but I know it is bigger than a 48 - maybe 50?

I seem to either be riding almost compeletly flat routes (Bay Trail, Alameda Creek Trail) or almost completely hilly routes in the East Bay hills (last few months: Tunnel/Skyline, Three Bears, coming soon: Redwood/Pinehurst, Mt Diablo? :eek: ).

[Bike Goddess]

My Ultegra Triple is 30x39x52 Hmmm. I'm thinking that since I have a 10 speed my gearing is different (as MP was sayinig....)

[maillotpois]

My Ultegra Triple is 30x39x52 Hmmm. I'm thinking that since I have a 10 speed my gearing is different (as MP was sayinig....)


Your gearing could be what you said. My gearing is 30, 42, 52 (1 1/2 year old crankset/bike). But now Record 10 speed is 53 not 52. I don't know what Shimano does.

[Trekhawk]

My older road bike has the 52 and my newer the 53. The LBS tried to talk me into a compact for my new bike but I stuck with the triple and Im happy.

All of my rides near home involve some sort of hills. I tend to stick to the smaller ones (it makes my knees happier) but you could climb some whoppers if you wanted to.:)

[aka_kim]

I ride a 30-39-52 triple with a 12-27 in the back. I don't regularly do any completely flat rides, and ride Mt. Diablo (usually just halfway) and surrounding hills regularly.

[miffy'sFuji]

I have a 38-46 on my fuji. The last mile of my climb home after work is 10% overall, with about .25 of a mile at 15.5%. I still haven't beaten this hill. I've been thinking of changing my crankset.

[wabisabi]

We have reasonably serious hills up here, on the coast and points east, and I and my knees have become mighty fond of my triple--I have the newer 53 ring also.

[Bike Goddess]

My Ultegra is 2005 version. I looked that up and that's what I got. Gee, maybe I should go and count!!!:p :p :p

[maillotpois]

My Ultegra is 2005 version. I looked that up and that's what I got. Gee, maybe I should go and count!!!:p :p :p


You're probably right - I just don't know Shimano components.

[Veronica]

I voted touring triple, but I actually have a 48 - 36 - 24 and an 11 - 27 in the back.

My riding generally involves a lot of climbing, some of it quite steep.

V.

[maillotpois]

You people with your complicated touring triples, and SK's charts and all this math - my head is going to explode!! I am to the point with the PetitePois that I have to go on line and go to a kids math help site to help her with fourth grade math homework. What is the mean? What is an integer? AAAAUGGH! This is why I went to law school and not med school.

That said, a whole new world has opened up for me and I thank you (crankily). I never knew there were so many possibilities.

My "perfect" set up would be 24 or 26 - 42 - 53 with an 11-27. I'd like a 55, but I don't think anyone makes that for us normal folk. (I did see delicious things like that on the iBanesto mechanics bus at the 2003 TdF. So many yummy things hanging up in neat rows...)

[Veronica]

You could ask me for math help you know. I do do teach 5th grade, so I probably know the fourth grade stuff.

Integer at this level, is just a fancy word for whole numbers, not fractions or decimals. It also includes negative numbers. A mean is an average.

V.

[Veronica]

Y

That said, a whole new world has opened up for me and I thank you (crankily). I never knew there were so many possibilities.

My "perfect" set up would be 24 or 26 - 42 - 53 with an 11-27. I'd like a 55, but I don't think anyone makes that for us normal folk. (I did see delicious things like that on the iBanesto mechanics bus at the 2003 TdF. So many yummy things hanging up in neat rows...)

You know if you had friction shifters, you could probably get your ideal set up.

V.

[maillotpois]

V - I considered asking you once - but there are actually some great websites out there! Friction shifters... you are so funny!!

I just found out I can get a 55 in the TA. My head is spinning.

[Veronica]

What's wrong with friction shifters? They work great, you get more options with your combinations.

Yeah, I know they're not for everybody. :) Mine aren't even indexed.

V.

[winddance]

Is this for what we have or what we would like to have? :p

I've got a standard double, but my knees would like a triple, so I think one may be in my future once I save up enough. I've been riding what z has been riding....either very flat, or east bay hills all the way.

I've got an 11-27 on the back now, and that has helped a lot, but my bike was built by someone with a "people with triples are wusses" complex who also happens to live where it's almost perfectly flat....

[SadieKate]

. . . and SK's charts and all this math - my head is going to explode!! Hey, what's wrong with my spreadsheet? I've taken the math out of it for you. Just plug in the number of teeth and let Excel do the work.

Hey, AG, are you feeling insulted also? :p

[Adventure Girl]

Hey, what's wrong with my spreadsheet? I've taken the math out of it for you. Just plug in the number of teeth and let Excel do the work.

Hey, AG, are you feeling insulted also? :pHarumphhhhh:mad: Nothing wrong with spread sheets!

[jobob]

My "perfect" set up would be 24 or 26 - 42 - 53 with an 11-27.

Dusty (my pink-ish bike) is a 24-42-52 with a 12-28. [edited]
(I swapped out the original 30 small ring for a 24)

Ah, the things you can get away with using friction shifters ;)

[maillotpois]

Hey, what's wrong with my spreadsheet? I've taken the math out of it for you. Just plug in the number of teeth and let Excel do the work.

Hey, AG, are you feeling insulted also? :p


I love the spreadsheet. I am just overwhelmed.