compact double v triple? (my new bike!)

[SadieKate]

It's my way of maximizing my potential. Ask MP how she achieved that 28 inner chain ring. I may not be able to keep up with her on the road but I can do better maths.

[7rider]

Wow.
Has this poor thread fallen into a phallic display of "My hill is bigger than your hill"!
Yipe-ers.
I seem to recall the original discussion being about "compact" or "triple" on a bike that already came with a compact.
Buy that bike, and end of discussion.
So, I think the better question is: is it worth it to convert that bike to a triple? What would be gained?
The discussion here is all about low-end gearing - a fair discussion when you're talking about a new rider who lives in an area where there are hills. Or mountains. The top end is almost irrelevant.
So....that's why I said. Look at the charts. Look at what your low end is for THAT bike (it was a Giant, yes?). How is that bike geared? Has anyone even discussed it?? Is it more cost effective for a purchaser - who really loves THAT bike - to swap out a crankset (and f. derailleur and shifter) and go with a triple. Or, is it better to put a bigger cassette on the back, say a 12-27? From the look of the chart I posted, a 32-25 combination of a triple would be nearly spot-on with a 34-27 on a compact. So you've lost nothing.
If you want a 32-27 on a triple, or gearing even lower than that, well, maybe it's not worth it to buy THAT bike, and RHG should be looking at another bike.

[Veronica]

Wow.
Has this poor thread fallen into a phallic display of "My hill is bigger than your hill"!

No, not at all. Those are the climbs the original poster will ride. The hill profile was an attempt to show why those of us who ride those hills regularly gave her the advice of get the triple.

RGH if you'd like any more info from me, feel free to shoot me a PM.

V.

[spazzdog]

All you billy goats wit da pit-churs... be so kind as to copy them into the newly created Elevation thread.


purty pleez wit "name-that-guilty-pleasure" on top

spazz-tic

[maillotpois]

It's my way of maximizing my potential. Ask MP how she achieved that 28 inner chain ring. I may not be able to keep up with her on the road but I can do better maths.

That has been working well, BTW. (Don't want to jinx it before the 400k, but it passed the 300k with flying colors). For those who care, my Colnago/brevet bike was only 9 speed with a 26 tooth cog, and I really wanted something cushier, because in the 600k I did last year (on my Merckx with a 10 speed 28 tooth cog) I found myself in the small ring on the FLATS. (I know, I know, but seriously, ride 375 miles in 30 hours and then see how wimpy it really was.) Anyway, SK suggested throwing on a 28 tooth inner ring and a 12-28 cassette. I was worried about the 28/42/52 combo, but it is working great.

Again, no jinxing here before the 400 people!!

[SadieKate]

Cool. You be the bungee cord and I'll do the gear inches anytime.

[maillotpois]

Whew. Sometimes I have flashes of math brilliance, but not often.

I think perhapd a dry French rose is in order.