Compact vs. Triple

[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.

[Triskeliongirl]

I also ride the texas hill country and love my compact double, but I do have it paired with an 11/34 in back. I don't mind the large gaps between gears, since it simplifies the shifting in front and mechanically its easier to keep in tune. I also took it to the pyrenes, but with a 12/27 in back. When I got home I put on the 11/34, much better! But I don't view this as a bad thing, as Mailtipos implies........... I like that when its flat or rolling I can just stay in my big ring in front, and when its really hilly I stay mostly in my smalll one. Much easier. I don't get why some thinks its a problem to have big gaps between gears. My gearing gives me a range of 26-119 which is pretty darn good for me.

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.

[tulip]

I have a compact double on one bike and a triple on another bike. I've ridden Skyline Drive (Appalachian trail territory in Virginia) with the compact double and was fine. I like having the triple, however. Just knowing that I still have more gears is a nice feeling, even if I rarely use them.

[Harley]

I ended up going with the Compact, currently with a 11/27 10spd, but need more... trying 11/28 next. Would like a 12/29, but am told Campy is the only one who makes a 12/29. Since I'm running Shimano Ultegra it would be a big change. My LBS is willing to switch to a triple if I need it, no charge.
I really like the simplicity of the compact, and ease of shifting.

Triskeliongirl is your compact 11/34 a 10spd? What components are you using?

[SadieKate]

I believe the largest 10 spd cassette made by Shimano is 27. SRAM makes a 28. Campy makes a 29. If you can swap out hub parts to make your hubs, Campy-compatible you can use a Campy cassette with a Jtek Shiftmate. You will need to be sure your rear dérailleur is long enough.

To go larger than this, you must use 9 spd mountain cassettes from SRAM or Shimano.

[Triskeliongirl]

Indeed I am running a 9spd setup, ultegra short reach brifters, custom 50/34 crank set (for my LLD), and an XT rear derailleur and 11/34 casette (and ultegra brakes and durace chain).

I noticed terry is specing Isis sport with an IRD 10 spd 11/34 in back paired with a shimano deore LG SGS, so it seems like 10 speed is possible: http://www.terrybicycles.com/cycling...isissport.html

I also contemplated putting an 11/32 on with my ultegra triple long cage rear derailleur. I ran the numbers by on sheldon's site, and it looked like it would just work (although barely, and only with the long cage triple not double rear der). But, I decided to switch out the rear derailleur to get the 34 since I had already bought the mountain derailleur and 11/34 cassette.

In my case another reason to go with a double stemmed from my need for a custom crank set to deal with my LLD, and the fellow making it really pushed me to go with the compact double. But I am very happy with it.

[PscyclePath]

Depends on how your motor's running, and how you're riding... I have three road bikes, one with a triple (53/42/30 by 12-25 9-speed cogset) which is my main touring all-round riding bike; one with a 53/39 12-25 9-speed cassette, which is sort of a spare, but is fast as all get-out) and a new one, with a 50/34 10-speed compact double. Took a little getting used to in not having the 42 ring and using the granny gear only on the real bad hills, but I like the compact every bit as much as I do my old triple-ringed Trek. New bike has been getting the miles lately in an effeort to get used to it, and it's destined to be my racer/fast bike.

Best advice is to try one, and see how it suits your riding style.