compact double v triple? (my new bike!)

[Veronica]

Where does this shame idea come from in having triple?

V.

[jobob]

Darned if I know ! I don't feel "shamed" in the least for having a triple.

I used to use the small ring a lot to get me up hills.

I've gotten a lot stronger, and I use my granny a lot less now, mostly if the grade kicks up to around 10% (oh, who the heck am I kidding, 8%, or on a yuck day like today, 6% ) or if I'm really tired. It's nice to have.

[Eden]

There is no shame in riding with a triple!

The only drawback to having one is that you are kind of stuck with it. Yes you can convert a triple to a double (and vice/versa), but by the time that you buy a new bottom bracket, new derailleurs, new cranks, etc. you usually have spent enough to nearly buy a new bike....

If you think you might outgrow a triple then go with the compact double, - its drawback is slightly less of a gear range as compared to the triple (especially at the top end).

btw - I think a lot of people who have triples don't think they could get by without the granny gears, but - a triple is often a 30-42-52, so if you don't use the granny ring you are climbing in the 42! a standard double is a 39-53, so its not really like climbing in your middle ring at all. With a compact double you are usually going down to a 36 or a 34 for the small ring.