Compact vs. Triple

[Harley]

HELP!
I am getting back into road riding after 18 years (gave up road riding for a throttle). My old road bikes gearing is too extreme 52/42 x 12/24 and my bike shop has told me the gearing cannot be changed due to frame angles/Dura ace, etc... all in all, cheaper to get a new bike.

I ride a triple on my Mtn bike. But I'm curious about your experience with compact gearing, and compact vs triple for a road bike? The gear charts show them to be similar, only less overlapping gears with the compact... friends are warning NO, bike shop says I'll love it.

The bike I am looking at is the 2008 Bianchi via Nirone C2C/ultegra with 50/34 and 12/27 10spd

Would love comments or suggestions.
Thanks,
Harley

[rij73]

Hi! and Welcome...

I started biking last year for the first time since childhood. I rode a flat-bar road bike with a triple for 3 months before I was so completely hooked on biking and decided I must have the full drop-bar experience. After much thinking and calculating of gear ratios, I decided that a 50-34 compact crankset with a 12-27 rear would be fine for me. There aren't serious hills where I ride, but even if there were, I just couldn't justify the extra weight and complication of a triple. I know that opinions differ on this, but I would rather get a mountain bike cassette and derailleur for the back than a triple in the front if I needed easier gearing. I think the compact is the most elegant solution...

Just took a look at that Bianchi on their website. Looks like an awesome bike. If it fits you well, I would say go for it! It's a good price for a bike with those components.

[KnottedYet]

I have one road bike with a compact double.
I have one road bike with a triple.

I love them both.

[SadieKate]

Please, please, please go look at what your peers locally are riding. Find people who are riding the terrain and distances you want to. Find people of your age, fitness, strengths, weakness, etc. and look at what they are riding.

We can give you pros and cons until we are blue in the face and your eyes are glazed over. Go talk to your peers locally.

Opinions are all over the place. Go read Sheldon Brown's article on gearing (may he RIP). Search on this site for compact or double vs triple.

No one here can give you a qualified opinion without knowing exactly the terrain you are riding, how strong a rider you are, whether you have any knee or back issues, etc. We don't even know which side of the Cascades you are on and that can make a difference. Or whether you plan to take your bike to super high oxygen-deprived altitudes.

Go find your local peers.

[maillotpois]

Is it hilly in the North Cascades? I am assuming so. I ride in hills (Marin) and mountains (the Sierras) and I wouldn't consider riding anything but a triple. Not only do I not want to sacrifice on the hill climbing end, but I also do NOT want to sacrifice on the power end, and a compact double would force some sacrifice either way.

Weight is NOT that big an issue when you are talking about these sort of components (assuming everything is moderate to higher end to begin with). If I pee before the ride, I have made up the difference.

I coach cyclists for "tough" events. The number of people with compact doubles who come begging for options (i.e., XTR, etc.) is pretty cute.

ETA: I have a "throttle", too. (A Bonnie, to be exact! )

[Aggie_Ama]

SK gives the best advice, none of us know what your area is like and would be stating personal preference.

For example, I live in the Texas Hill Country and wouldn't consider anything but a triple for the steep hills we have. I see strong riders (like my husband) who admit to wishing they had some smaller gears on some of the steep hills. I get 90 miles east and would prefer a compact double since I never use the little ring.

[KnottedYet]

Here's a link to some of Sheldon Brown's wisdom that Sadie Kate was talking about. This will at least get you started, have fun! http://sheldonbrown.com/gearing/index.html

[Harley]

Thanks for all your wishes and replies.
I live in Winthrop, WA on the East side of the North Cascades... yes we have hills, but the majority of the riding is in the valley, rolling hills, short steep runs, until you go up Washington Pass...which is a mountain pass, 5500 feet approx, valley floor is 2000 in 35 miles. Altitude doesn't bother me, and I LOVE the downhills.
I am from Colorado, and rode a lot in the Rocky Mtn Natl Park area, dabbled in racing, did centuries, worked for a bike shop. However, that was 18 years ago and I am now pushing 60... reality bites
The friends I have who ride use triples. Most rarely use their smallest chainring, some swear by it.
As soon as the roads are clear of sand (and snow) I'll give the compact a try. The techie in me is curious.

[alpinerabbit]

No idea why switching to a compact crankset would be impossible unless some problem really exists with your frame - does the derailleur need to be moved down?

[Susan126]

I agree with SadieKate. Know your own body, your local terrain, what you are capable of doing. I have a bad right knee/quad and I know without my triple I would definitely reinjure this old injury. I have to start each spring carefully building my leg back up but once it is strong again I am set for the new season with my triple. It is very hilly here where I live and I am 54 years young; these two factors plus my bum right leg make me just love my triple!

But you may be stronger, fitter, younger so you may be able to go with a compact. Try them both. Talk to friends other riders, lbs people. Listen to your own body and have fun!

[SadieKate]

Harley, I can tell you why I like triple cranksets and I also live on the east side of the Cascades.

1) I can run smaller, more closely spaced, cog sets. When I am out in the flats I have lots of little jumps between gears rather than big gaps.
2) The triple doesn't have to be used and it certainly doesn't weigh more than a giant platter of a cog set.
3) That granny gear is a fabulous safety valve when you're tired or injured and you need to make it home. SAG wagons at century rides are for emergencies not because one is tired.
4) I set up the chain ring sizes so I can run mostly on the middle chain ring anyway. I have a touring triple 48-36-26 one of my bikes and use the 36 almost exclusively. A 50 would be too big and a 34 too small for most of the flatter cruising around here so I'd be shifting constantly with a 34-50.
5) When I do travel and find a steep or long hills or go up to high elevations, that granny is a welcome addition.
6) Not getting any younger and have old knees to begin with.

Matter of fact, I had the above bike with the touring triple out on Saturday and rode from the mountains out to the east on flatter roads. I still had on my mongo 11-32 platter cog set that I used for big climbs in California and was hating it because of the gaps between cog sizes. I'll put on the 12-25 so I can the nice flat land cogs but keep a granny for the hills. Best selection of gears for me for mixed hills and flat.

When you're talking to your peers ask the compact riders if they would do it differently next time and the same with triple riders--and why.

So go talk to a lot of people and think about the types of terrain you cover and your future.

[Harley]

SK that is good information, just the insight I have been looking for.

It would be nice to have a "bail out" gear, and looking down the road, I'll need all the help I can get. The jump from 50-34 does seem extreme. I am in good condition for 58, no physical problems, very active, xc ski, hike, ride a trainer, road riding my mtn bike around town and until roads clear of sand, did 23 miles Sunday.

Alpinebunny has made me wondering why I couldn't put a compact on my old 929Vitus... aside from cost... ? It is 1990 vintage Durace.

Buy the Bianchi with a triple. I'd have a complete stable
I'll talk with more of the local riders, as suggested
Thanks!

[SadieKate]

Alpinebunny has made me wondering why I couldn't put a compact on my old 929Vitus... aside from cost... ? It is 1990 vintage Durace.

Buy the Bianchi with a triple. I'd have a complete stable

If you can do that it might be the best of both worlds. But check into the BB situation. Today's compact cranks may need a different bottom bracket and your Vitus may want French(?) threading? And you'd need a new front der.

I bet that Vitus is comfy on chip seal.

[Becky]

If you can do that it might be the best of both worlds. But check into the BB situation. Today's compact cranks may need a different bottom bracket and your Vitus may want French(?) threading? And you'd need a new front der.

Another potential workaround would be changing out the chainrings for something smaller, but keeping the existing BB and crankarms. What is the bolt center diameter on your current crankset? If it's 110, you should plenty of chainring options. If it's 130, you have options, but you're limited to a small ring of 38(?), I believe. Check out what Sheldon Brown's website has to say on the topic: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/chainrings.html

To answer the original question, I really like my compact double, having switched from a standard triple. But, here in the mid-Atlantic, most hills are do-able with a low gear of 34 x 25, even though I'm no super-climber.

Good luck!

[Mr. SR500]

I had a triple, now run a compact. Very pleased, no plans to go to regular double or triple. The triple can give you an ultra low gear, but do you really need it. Go based on you ability and terrain. A compact can be the best of both if it works for you.