going double to triple

[alpinerabbit]

uh, you would definitely notice something, considering what you currently have (53-39) is not a compact but a regular double.
(no one except complete flatlanders and pros should be riding a reglar double... my most humble of opinions. Over here, we call it the "hero" crank, as in heroism=unnecessary silliness)

this means you can already gain considerable climbing ease by solely swapping out the crank set to, say, a 50-34 (that's a compact), and save $ on the front derailler.


Also, you can change out the cassette to up to a 13-29 with Campy. and that will help.

[wnyrider]

... gain considerable climbing ease by solely swapping out the crank set to, say, a 50-34 (that's a compact), and save $ on the front derailler.

Also, you can change out the cassette to up to a 13-29 with Campy. and that will help.

Wow, I had no idea. I was told it was a compact and not knowing the difference, just accepted it. Thanks! So your suggestion of a 50-34 is being noted. But, could I not also solely use the triple using the same derailler, as well as leaving the original cassette?
Or-- was your added information regarding the 13-29 cassette give me the same effect I am seeking with the triple?

[Pedal Wench]

A 13-29 is a great option - I use that with my compact and can climb just about anything. If you switch to a Campy triple, you'll also need a new bottom bracket along with a new front derailleur. A compact is a great place to start, and since cassettes do wear out in time, next time, try the 13-29, or just do the swap now, since it might be time for a new cassette anyway.

[myjas]

Don.t forget you would have to change your shifter also.

[SadieKate]

Don.t forget you would have to change your shifter also.

Why?

Most Campy shifters (not 11 speed) are both double and triple compatible.

And Campy triples shift most excellently.

[aicabsolut]

Here's a Campy 50-34 crankset:
http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?p...jor=1&minor=13

[wnyrider]

Well, I just purchased a campy 13-29 cassette. I can't tell you how I fretted over choosing which component to swap. There was no definitive answer, and that is what I was bugged about. Thank you all for your input. It was appreciated. The least $ route was to go with a new cassette and the LBS will swap it for me, but I want to be there so I can see how it is done for future reference. It'll be at least a week before I'll be able to test it out... I'll report back on the result.

[added: It has been 2 months and I still haven't chosen clipless pedals yet!!]

[wnyrider]

A 13-29 is a great option - I use that with my compact and can climb just about anything. If you switch to a Campy triple, you'll also need a new bottom bracket along with a new front derailleur. A compact is a great place to start, and since cassettes do wear out in time, next time, try the 13-29, or just do the swap now, since it might be time for a new cassette anyway.

Thanks for the info! I am now looking up a 50-34 crank to buy. Please correct me if I am wrong-- I could swap out my current crank for the 50-34 AND swap out the cassette for the 13-29 and can keep all the other parts of old?

I just noticed myjas comment regarding shifter... did you mean if I went with a triple?

[silver]

yes, I believe that myjas means if you switch to the triple.

I agree with the other posters. I don't recommend that you go to a triple with your current setup.

(I actually don't recommend triples at all, but that opens a WHOLE nuther can of worms...I realize that some riding scenarios call for them but I don't feel that they shift as well...but this is coming from me who rides a regular double ("(no one except complete flatlanders and pros should be riding a reglar double... my most humble of opinions. Over here, we call it the "hero" crank, as in heroism=unnecessary silliness)") I ride a 53/39 - 12-27 on my road bike and 52/38 - 11-27 on my tri bike. Final thing is I don't know anything about Campy and what gearing the derailleurs will handle. you should check with your bike shop to be sure that the derailleurs will handle the gearing that you are talking about.

When looking at Shelton's Gear calculator....

currently you have 53/39 - 12-23. with 39-23 you have 3.3%

if you only switched out the cassette from 12-23 to 12-27 you would go to 2.8% (recommended. easy and cheapest)

if you switched the cassette to 13-29 your ratio would be 2.6% but i'm worried that you may need a new or adjusted rear derailleur. I could be totally wrong but you should check that out just to be sure)

f you only switched out the double to the triple you would get (53/42/30 - 12-23) using 30 - 23 the ratio would be 2.6% (not recommended, probably have to change derailleurs, bottom brackets, shifters)

50/34 - 12/27 the lower right hand box says 2.5%. That's the ratio that you have when your are using your little front ring (34)and your largest cog (27) (good option for best ratio, but will cost more than just changing cassette)

and finally, if you went all out, 50/34 - 13-29 your ratio would be a mere 2.3 %

Was that too much info?.....I was having way too much fun with that gear calculator.

[tzvia]

I used to run 53-39 with a 12-23 back before there were compacts, and I could never figure out why I hated hills so much. Even little ones were way too much! Then I treated myself to a new carbon fiber bike with compact gearing, and a 12-25 last year. Oh my G@d! I can ride hills! I can ride hills! Finally, after years of toil and no improvement, I can actually go UP!

As was already said here, triples should be avoided if possible IMO. They compromise shifting and they are heavier (remember it is rotating weight, which will feel 3 times heavier than it is as it is moving faster than you). I would do a 12-27 rear as going to a 29 might require a long cage rear derailleur and frankly you will notice a BIG difference just doing the 27.

[alpinerabbit]

let's relegate the double vs. triple debate of principles to the search function, it's raged here before....

however:

yes, you can go to 29 on Campy without needing a long cage der - the chain wrap capacity is sufficient.

In fact, you also can on Shimano, although the Manufacturer says 27 is the maximum.
I've just installed even a 30T cog (Marchisio make) on my Shimano cassette - just cross-chaining the big ring and the biggest cog is a definite no-no according to my LBS guy.

I could swap out my current crank for the 50-34 AND swap out the cassette for the 13-29 and can keep all the other parts of old?

Yes, I did that on my first roadie.

[wnyrider]

Today is a new day for me and in logging in I am glad to read the latest information here and it is great... thanks all!
I was on that gear calculator and didn't understand if higher % was better, or if I wanted the lowest.

and finally, if you went all out, 50/34 - 13-29 your ratio would be a mere 2.3 %

if you only switched out the cassette from 12-23 to 12-27 you would go to 2.8% (recommended. easy and cheapest)

I took a look at campagnolo cassettes and they don't have 12-27 for my 10 speed. In the research I can across this:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/sho....php?p=1491715
That opened up another can of worms! I want to go the with the simplest route and it appears that it may be going with the 13-29 cassette for now.

[QUOTE]

yes, you can go to 29 on Campy without needing a long cage der - the chain wrap capacity is sufficient.
Quote:
I could swap out my current crank for the 50-34 AND swap out the cassette for the 13-29 and can keep all the other parts of old?
Yes, I did that on my first roadie.

I took a look at my crank and it is a Truvativ with a Truvativ external bb. If I do brave it, should it be replaced with the same brand-- in order to use the existing derailler and bb?