Triple to a double or compact

I have a 2007 Trek 2100 WSD that I had not ridden in a year because I bought a new bike last year. Well, long story short...I am in the process of trying to sell my newer bike and shop for another one. But in the meantime, I am back riding the Trek 2100. There is a good chance (especially if I can't find a new bike soon), that I may end up riding the Trek for the rest of this riding season. Aside from the fact that the Trek is a tad bit too large for me, it is also a 105 triple. I have nothing against triple cranks, but for some reason...this bike shifts like total crap. Yes, I have had the bike in numerous times for adjustments...and I get told the same story - "That's how triples are..they shift sloppy". I know that some of you riding triples, debate this...and I don't doubt that some of you have super-smooth shifting triples. BUT...my question is...if I were looking to swap out my triple for a double or a compact...what parts are involved? Naturally, I don't want to dump a ton of money into this older bike...but if I end up riding it for the season, I'd rather not have the triple on it. So what exactly is involved for this project? Of course, I know a crank and BB, and likely the front derailleur...anything else that I'm missing? Would I need different shifters? The rear derailleur is already Ultegra, and the cassette is a 10spd 12-25, so I think I'm good there. I would likely shop eBay, Craigslist, or classified sections of forums for used components. Thanks!

Linda

I don't know about your specific situation, but this might help you as a starting point. A few years ago, I switched my regular double to a compact double. It cost $250. It was all Ultegra, and I bought the parts new from the shop that put them on.

Will you be doing the work yourself? Just FYI, some shops frown on buying off the internet and having them install parts. Some shops adjust their labor charges accordingly for people who do not buy their parts from them, so it might be more cost effective to just buy the parts from the shop that will be doing the work.

My bike, which has a triple chain ring, came with mostly 105 components but the front derailleur was Tiagra. I had lots of problems with it and was always bringing it to the shop for adjustments. One day while they were adjusting it, it broke. The only derailleur they had in stock to replace it was an Ultegra, so they put that on my bike and now it shifts great. So, it might be easier/cheaper to just upgrade the derailleur instead of switching to a compact/double.

I'm thinking about doing this myself and my husband and I were talking it out this weekend. We'll do the work ourselves and order the parts off the internet. Yes, you'll need a new bottom bracket, the new compact crankset and that might be it. Depending on your front deraileur, you may not need to replace it (though, based on your shifting issues, you might want to!) and your chain, rear deraileur and shifters should all work fine with the compact.

On an aside note, I LOVED my triple and never had one ounce of shifting trouble with it. I'm nervous that I won't like the way the compact shifts and that I'll really miss all those in-between gears!