Compact vs. Triple

[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

[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.

[RoadRaven]

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?

Hey there Harley
I'm chiming in a tad late here but thought I would give my two cents...
I have a triple on my mountain bike, and a double on my timetrial bike (though I rarely use the small chain ring - only when it is a hilly TT) and a compact on my road race bike.

I find the compact does everything I need, and when I compare it to triples that friends have, I actually have the same (or very similar) range of gears as they do. So I have the same smallest gears for getting up hills, I have the same gears for mashing hard on the flat.

When I compare my compact to the "normal" doubles I have ridden, I find I just have to be more cautious about changing between the big and small... which means I just try to be sure i am in the middle cogs at the back ... which is good practice anyways...

Count the teeth Harley... thats the best way to decide whether a triple is necessary... if you have similar numbers of teeth in the cogs, then you probably don't need the triple. I know some people swear by triples, but I find that it is just one more thing to change between - therefore one more possibility for mechanical error.