decision...to get a triple or compact double

[alpinerabbit]

You are correct I have a cannondale F400 Hybrid. It has a triple in the front (mt bike kind from what i have been told) and a road bike cog but dont know about the #'s. I do have 27 gears. I really rarely go into the small chain ring at this point.

One of the people I road the 38 miles with last sunday suggested either
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...=38454&eid=117

http://www.trekbikes.com/women/wsd_p...es/road/12wsd/
I am not sure I can go that high...at this point.

Tina

whoa. Definitely not the one with Sora. That's too crappy a groupset.

Have you thought of buying used?

[MartianDestiny]

I too own a triple and a double. I have run out of gears on the double once or twice, but that's due to my own fitness issues and I would have run out of gears on the triple as well (MAYBE I have one or two that are effectively a bit lower). As I get more fit the double becomes less of an issue (and keep in mind I live in the Rockies, so when I run out of gears it's been on fairly steep grade).

What's more of an issue (and one of the reasons I bought a new bike) is the 8 speed rear on the old bike. It's really limiting, and not particularly fun or cheap to upgrade to a 10speed at a later date. I notice the limitations of the triple/8 speed setup far far more often than I run into my physical limitations with the double/10 speed.

IMO, with your tri goals, you are better off with a double and a 9 or 10 speed cassette than a triple with an 8 speed cassette. You can make the double cover nearly the range of the triple (If I wanted I could get a smaller "granny" or a different rear cassette). If you find a triple with a 9 or 10 speed rear then I think it becomes more of a personal preference thing, but I personally wouldn't be afraid of a double based on not being able to get a low enough gear though.

[txred9876]

whoa. Definitely not the one with Sora. That's too crappy a groupset.

Have you thought of buying used?

Yes but have not found anything. Even before I road in the tri I was leaning toward a road bike and been keeping my eye out for something. I just do not know enough about bikes to buy used without taking someone wiht me. Thats hard sometimes....

[JH-NV]

Sooo, I'm reading all responses today, triple this, double that, and just when I thought I was ready to purchase a road bike, NOW, I have even more to consider.......

[Cataboo]

Okay, I finally looked up this bike:
http://www.cycle-world.co.uk/product...id=m1b0s6p6847

I don't know what price the bike shop is, but I think I'd recommend you avoid an 8 speed sora double.

If you end up upgrading the components on that... you're talking about a new set of shifters, a new cassette and possibly derailleurs... The price of which is going to be a lot.

I don't think I'd recommend you get less than a 9 speed double, and preferably a 10 speed... at least 105 level.

And I'd definitely look into used.