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There is a misconception is that triples and doubles are better than the other. Neither is an indication of quality, it's more of a difference in purpose. It's like asking which is better... a truck or a sports car? Well, the answer would depend upon what you need a vehicle for.
Someone who races and looks for every split-second advantage would have different needs than someone whose primary goal is for recreation and to save their knees.
In a nutshell...
Triple advantage = wider gear range
Compact double advantage = quicker shifting, lighter weight
That said, there is good–better–best" within the triples, and within the doubles. The quality within that range is what you pay for. An "upgrade" is to go from 105s to Dura-Ace. To go from a triple to a double (or vice versa) is simply a change of gearing.
By charity, goodness, restraint, and self-control men and woman alike can store up a well-hidden treasure -- a treasure which cannot be given to others and which robbers cannot steal. A wise person should do good. That is the treasure that cannot be lost.
- Khuddhaka Patha
The word of God comes down to man as rain to soil, and the result is mud, not clear water
- The Sufi Junayd
Dura Ace Di2 > Dura-Ace > Ultegra SL > Ultegra > 105 > Tiagra > Sora > 2200
Dang! Ultegra's are only middle of the pack now!
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By charity, goodness, restraint, and self-control men and woman alike can store up a well-hidden treasure -- a treasure which cannot be given to others and which robbers cannot steal. A wise person should do good. That is the treasure that cannot be lost.
- Khuddhaka Patha
The word of God comes down to man as rain to soil, and the result is mud, not clear water
- The Sufi Junayd
Ana - have you ever done any of the gaps? I have a compact with a pretty big rear cassette and I run out of gears on Hogpen Gap - there are sections that are 15-18%. I'm a lousy climber, but if 6-Gap was my goal, I might lean towards a triple.
For 3 days, I get to part of a thousand other journeys.
I am having this debate with myself as we speak. I am buying a new bike and the bike that I really love comes with a compact double. My second choice bike comes with a triple. The first bike is the avail alliance and the second on my list is the avail 1. I really loved the feel of the avail alliance but im not sure if i can live with the compact double. I have hills everywhere around here. I very rarely use the "granny gear" on my current bike but when I need it I NEED IT! I could of had this bike over a month ago if I could just make up my mind. Hopefully this weekend Im going back to ride them both one more time and I WILL make my mind up. Its good to hear all of your opinions.
I have never done any if the gaps but I'm training for a 3 gap. It's in the fall. I'm sure I'll need my triple then.