By George, I think she's (almost) got it! Compact Vs. Triple

[Ciao]

Ok, I played with the gearing charts last night till after 2 - read the Gearing 101 site as well which was really helpful - and combed through the forums.

So, now, I'd like to hear from those of you that have triples and those that have compacts... What I don't yet understand are the actual downsides to a triple. Are there any? (Besides any weight gains - I'm no weight-weenie since I've been riding a mtb on road for years and any future 'racing' I do will be for enjoyment/ the experience, not to get 'best time'.) For those of you that are casual riders with compacts - what are your impressions?

Thanks for your help!

[tulip]

I admire you for your studiousness!

My Luna came with a regular double, and I needed more easy gears than I could get with just changing out the cassette. I originally planned on getting a triple, but that proved problematic with all the technicalities involved--I don't know enough about it to give you the details, but it had something to do with the derailleur and shifters. Perhaps someone else can explain it.

So I went with a compact double and it works great. I rode the bike up Skyline Drive in the Blue Ridge--50 miles each way (spent the night at a lodge). Coming back down was almost as much climbing as going up.

Recently, I've been riding my Bike Friday, which has a triple. Next week begins Bike Virginia, which will be in the mountains of Virginia and Tennessee. I don't expect any problems with the gearing--just my legs and lungs.

So, the solution, as I see it, is to get two bikes. At least!

[Ciao]

I admire you for your studiousness!

LOL! I'm just a computer junkie.

And I really do want to understand why the bias from the mfgrs and bike stores to push compacts - rather than asking "How do you use your mtb triple now? What gears are your body's sweet spots?" And "Well, it sounds like you're using your full range but need a little more on the upper end. So I'd suggest _____."

[alpinerabbit]

no downside - perhpas a double shifts more precisely in my subjective and slanted view. go for the triple if it's what you need.

[tulip]

no downside - perhpas a double shifts more precisely in my subjective and slanted view. go for the triple if it's what you need.

I would agree with this. The double is a smooth shifter (I have Ultegra).

[Thorn]

I built up my custom bike with a triple. I'm a recreational rider (100-150 miles/week)--a plodder, not a racer.

I'm no longer considered young by most and while I may still get stronger, I may not. Having the triple means that when I'm tired and the wind is strong, I have a gear I can sit back, enjoy the breeze and spin. Having a triple means that when I see that long hill and my energy levels just aren't where they should be, I can sit up, drop into a low gear and climb.

I know I could get the same low gear with a properly designed compact, but, you know, I like having another gear close to the whatever is the current so that on long flat or false flat stretches I can find the perfect happy gear. Call me old fashioned or just call me not-quite-in-shape, but I like my triple.

Oh, and I put on a 30-39-50 with a 13-26 in the rear. And, for me, I've yet to run out of gears, but a lot of women on this board are a lot stronger and would probably never consider such bizarre gearing. I love it. Do what your body and legs need and enjoy your ride.

[Thorn]

Oh, and if you decide to go triple, consder Campy. With Campy, the front derailleur has "infinite" trim. That is, you have lots of little detents where the cage will stop. For me, this gives a better feel on the front derailleur than the Shimano where you only get 2 positions (one, if your mechanic isn't very good) Others, of course, will think differently, but it is worth checking out if you lean triple--Shimano and Campy work differently in the front.

[Tuckervill]

I have a triple on my entry-level bike (Trek 1000).

I think there's a lot of ego involved in debate. And marketing. I like my triple, even though I rarely use the small ring anymore. I like being prepared for anything, and the triple makes me feel prepared.

I'll ride it that way until I get another bike, and then I'll probably take what's on the bike that I like best. I have an '83 Centurion on the stand right now getting an overhaul, and it only has 2 rings in the front. Since it's a touring bike, it probably has a different gearing set up than my Trek. (I don't pay much attention to such things.) I'll just ride it when it's done. I'll ride it for different reasons, of course, but I'll ride it.

It matters to some, and to some it doesn't. There's no one right answer. If you're unhappy for reasons other than someone telling you to be, change it!

Karen

[KnottedYet]

I have 2 bikes with triples (1 road, one mtb) 1 bike with a compact (road) and one with a regular double (road).

All have their good points.

I agree with Tulip: the question isn't "compact or triple?", the question is "how many of each?"

More bikes, more better!

(all that being said, if I was told I could only have one gearing set up I'd choose triples. And shifting is sweet and smooth when you use friction! Yummy!)

[Ciao]

I would agree with this. The double is a smooth shifter (I have Ultegra).

I keep reading the same... "smooth shifting"... by that do you mean "smoother"? There are moments where on my mtb shifting can be problematic - but that's on a hill when I didn't plan for what was coming.

Thorn, thanks for the support. I'm definitely leaning toward the triple route for my first road bike - just want to make sure that I know what I'm getting into since the bike shop advice is the compact.

[ilima]

My road bike has a compact. It's fine for everyday riding, although there are certainly days I wish I had an extra gear or two. I do ride some pretty decent hills with it, but if I was going to ride stuff that was averaging above 10%, I would definitely need a triple. I ride with a guy that has a triple, and I have certainly envied him when he spins while I mash.

I am having a 'cross bike built up for commuting and I am putting a triple on it. I have a 2-mile 800' climb to get home; that's a 7.5% average with pitches in the upper teens. No way do I want to be struggling when I'm commuting home with a few groceries and work stuff in my panniers. I even am putting a mountain bike cassette and derailleur on it.

My commuter is going to get an Ultegra crank and front derailleur, so I'm hoping it will perform better (shifter cleaner) than the Tiagra triple that was on a bike I sold.