Compact vs. Triple

[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.

[RoadBunner]

Harley, what did you end up getting? If you find a bike that comes with a compact is it better to try the compact out for a bit and change to a triple if need be, or will the LBS swap it out for a fee? I am still obviously on my bike search