compact double v triple? (my new bike!)

**jobob** · 04-09-2007, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by Veronica

You all do what you want.

Me - I'll stick with the gearing I have on my bikes. Heck, it got me through three double centuries so it must work all right for me. And in my world, it is all about me.

V.

Ditto for me as well. It's all about V (err, me).

Enjoy whatever you end up getting, RHG. It'll be a lovely bike no matter what.

**GLC1968** · 04-09-2007, 09:48 AM

Coming in a little late here, but the original poster sounds a lot like me only 2 years ago and I wanted to share my experience. I have had 3 bikes...all with triples. I live in a hilly area where I rarely get a nice long flat section, but where super long hills are not the norm either. For my first 2 years of ridng (I'm a recreational rider), I used my granny gear quite frequently and I was in good shape. Now, I'm even stronger, and 100% of my riding near my home does NOT require my granny gear and as such, it sits idle.

BUT, when I head just a few miles west, my terrain more closely resembles what you girls in No Cal ride....hills that take hours to climb, grades in the double digits, etc. You better believe that I'm happy to have my triple then! My road bike is 19 lbs for short club rides and it flies up hills. When I load up for long (60 miles +) rides in unsupported areas, it's closer to 30 lbs...and that granny gear is a damn blessing.

My husband recently went through a double/compact double/triple debate as he bought a new (used) bike that came with a double on it. He switched to a compact, and didn't like it. Then he switched to a triple and now rides like I do...using the 'double' part around here and only using that granny gear when we head west.

Yes, if you are racing and every ounce matters, who wants to be carrying around that extra gear "just in case"? But for those of us who can save more weight by losing it off our bodies than by having a lighter crank set, a triple is quite often the best choice.

**Veronica** · 04-09-2007, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by SadieKate

Every single person who rides the same hills RussianHillGal will be has many years' experience riding centuries (or longer) and recommended a triple. These aren't newbies lacking fitness making the recommendation.

But SK that doesn't matter.

sarcasm on You need to save that two grams or whatever a small chain ring weighs and the two seconds in shifting. And really only FREDS ride triples. How could we be encouraging a NEW rider to use a triple? Everyone will laugh and point as she spins her way up those 18% grades. Don't you know you're supposed to stand and have a cadence of less than 30 when you crest these big climbs? You've heard them laughing at us haven't you? sarcasm off

Actually I usually get the question, "Where did you get such a small chain ring?" And despite the smallness of my chain rings (48/36/24 with a 12x27 and 46/33 with an 11X34), oh maybe I'm not a REAL cyclist, those are tiny I still routinely get into the high 40s on descents and the twenties on the flat. Low to mid twenties, but still the twenties. Yes, MPH.

I fail to see how a triple will hamper RGH's progress in anyway. I think a standard compact double on the MOUNTAINS she wants to ride will make progress tough. Right Spazz?

V.

**spazzdog** · 04-09-2007, 10:16 AM

Yes Veronica... (and my memory suddenly floods with scenes from Archie comics).

I would bet (and put my stubborness aside for a moment) that had I lived here when I bought my bike, it would have had a triple.

I did have my stock double changed out to a compact after my Cinderella visit back in 2005, which DOES make things easier here than they would have been otherwise. But, it isn't easy... and I do have to work harder.

spass-hurts... er, I mean spazz

**Veronica** · 04-09-2007, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by spazzdog

spass-hurts... er, I mean spazz

Sorry, but this made my laugh. I hope you feel better soon!

V.

**SadieKate** · 04-09-2007, 10:26 AM

V? Could you, purty please, go back and correct the grammar in my post that you quoted? I must have corrected it after you grabbed it for the quote and I just can't let that live for eternity.

(every single person has . . . )

Thank you.

That laughing you hear? It's those of us with triples who ride Cobb Mountain, Coleman Valley, and Diablo past those with doubles walking or careening all over the road just prior to falling over. Bwahahahahahaha!

Not laughing at spazz and her oobie though.

Did you do it with style? Did you earn points?

**Veronica** · 04-09-2007, 10:27 AM

Oh I know! I know! Get a Rohloff hub, then there's no overlap and you can shift when you're not moving. You never throw the chain, you don't have a front derailleur, no rear derailleur to break... It's the perfect solution!

V.

**spazzdog** · 04-09-2007, 10:35 AM

For style and points commentary, one will have to place an inquiry with Trek420... I think she saw the entire move.

And I've never walked up a hill... yet. As for Diablo, I've been there once - made it up about 6-7 miles then went down. I'll keep trying though, hopefully inching my way up as the season goes on.

The butt is best when standing at this point. Thankfully my work chair is an ergonomic wonder with a comfy butt cushion. The JEEP ride this morning was not as pleasant (ouch!)

spazz

**maillotpois** · 04-09-2007, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by SadieKate

V? Could you, purty please, go back and correct the grammar in my post that you quoted? I must have corrected it after you grabbed it for the quote and I just can't let that live for eternity.

(every single person has . . . )

Thank you.

OMG. That's just super funny.

(Resisting urge to insert all kinds of disgusting grammar violations in above-quoted language....)

**SadieKate** · 04-09-2007, 10:39 AM

Glad to provide you the entertainment.

It just slays me when someone quotes me before I correct my own mistakes. I guess it is my own special form of engrish.

Ah, I see Ms V took pity on my plea.

**spokewench** · 04-09-2007, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by SadieKate

V? Could you, purty please, go back and correct the grammar in my post that you quoted? I must have corrected it after you grabbed it for the quote and I just can't let that live for eternity.

(every single person has . . . )

Thank you.

That laughing you hear? It's those of us with triples who ride Cobb Mountain, Coleman Valley, and Diablo past those with doubles walking or careening all over the road just prior to falling over. Bwahahahahahaha!

Not laughing at spazz and her oobie though.

Did you do it with style? Did you earn points?

Now, Now, let's not get carried away - I can ride Diablo including the top in my regular double and I don't even wobble! So, maybe, I'll be giggling as I pass you if I ever get out there to ride diablo again!

**SadieKate** · 04-09-2007, 10:43 AM

In the middle of a century? Then you would be one of those genetic freaks I mentioned because even the racers can be grunting and careening at the top.

**spokewench** · 04-09-2007, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by SadieKate

In the middle of a century? Then you would be one of those genetic freaks I mentioned because even the racers can be grunting and careening at the top.

Nope, just climb a lot

**RussianHillGal** · 04-09-2007, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by GLC1968

But for those of us who can save more weight by losing it off our bodies than by having a lighter crank set, a triple is quite often the best choice.

I love it! That's definitely me!

Veronica, DOUBLE centuries, wow, I can only dream!! Thanks for the gearing specs, now I know what to ask for on Saturday!

**jobob** · 04-09-2007, 11:27 AM

Wow, spokewench, you're really strong. I'm very impressed.

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