Hybrids better for hills?

[nikkoblu2]

Why not just check out some bikes that already come built as a triple? The Giant Avail 3 comes in a triple, as does the Specialized Dolce and Ruby Comp. For Trek models, the new Lexa and Madone 4.5 and 5.2 are all available in a triple.

Nscrbug - I see you have the Cannondale Synapse...is it a double? How do you like it? Actually I also tried out the Madone - I'm guessing it was either a 3.5 or a 4.5 cause it was priced about $2,100 or so. I liked it, but something pulled me towards this one.

But, like Cataboo said, if were talking switching all this stuff over it sounds real expensive and doesn't make sense. Ironically, frame was supposedly in a box in the basment. I spoke with the owner last week, she said she had a bike in mind that she was going to have built for me. Now I know this isn't a custom bike or anything, but she knew she was looking for a 51 cm frame so she had the bike geared towards what she thought I would like.

Cataboo - I absolutely will count the teeth...I'm totally impressed with your technical knowledge. But, I can't count the teeth on the Cannondale till this weekend. We have a vacation condo on the Jersey shore - that's where I'm keeping this bike. So as soon as I count all these teeth I'll post with the info.

I already put in a call to the bike shop that I'd like to talk to her about the bike. So, what type of rider would a compact cassette be beneficial for? There must be some pros or they wouldn't make them, right?

[nscrbug]

Nscrbug - I see you have the Cannondale Synapse...is it a double? How do you like it? Actually I also tried out the Madone - I'm guessing it was either a 3.5 or a 4.5 cause it was priced about $2,100 or so. I liked it, but something pulled me towards this one.

But, like Cataboo said, if were talking switching all this stuff over it sounds real expensive and doesn't make sense. Ironically, frame was supposedly in a box in the basment. I spoke with the owner last week, she said she had a bike in mind that she was going to have built for me. Now I know this isn't a custom bike or anything, but she knew she was looking for a 51 cm frame so she had the bike geared towards what she thought I would like.

Cataboo - I absolutely will count the teeth...I'm totally impressed with your technical knowledge. But, I can't count the teeth on the Cannondale till this weekend. We have a vacation condo on the Jersey shore - that's where I'm keeping this bike. So as soon as I count all these teeth I'll post with the info.

I already put in a call to the bike shop that I'd like to talk to her about the bike. So, what type of rider would a compact cassette be beneficial for? There must be some pros or they wouldn't make them, right?

Yes, my Cannondale Synapse 3 is a compact double. It's a wonderful bike, now that I have resolved most of my "issues" that I had with it.

To answer your other question regarding who would benefit from a compact...compact cranks are great for those riders who like to have some hill gearing without going to a triple crank. I live in the suburbs of Chicago, so the term "hills" is used rather loosely here, as we have no REAL hills. Now, I am a pathetic hill-climber even on the measly so-called "hills" we have here, so I need all the help I can get...hence, the reason I chose to go with a compact double. My older bike is a Trek 2100 WSD triple...which aside from being too large for me, was a fine bike...however, I didn't care for the triple crank because it was noisy and not quite as smooth-shifting as my double. Hope this helps somewhat.

Linda

[Cataboo]

Compact doubles shift a little better and easier than a triple - they're also that little bit lighter.

I have one bike that's a compact double and one that's a triple. You're used to way easier gears on your trek fx than most people have on a road bike - you've got smaller chain rings up front than a road triple, and you've got what's basically mountain bike gearing on the back - road bike cassettes typically have the biggest cog available as 28 - but that's changed recently since shimano came out with a road cassette that's bigger this year. And since most of the time you say you ride that in your two smaller chain rings up front, I'd probably say you shouldn't switch to a compact double yet. The cannondale is going to be a lot easier in terms of having smaller tires, etc. and more efficient to get going - and I'm not saying that you can't use a compact double - just that you're going to miss your gears (you already do) and you probably shouldn't make so drastic a change just yet.

[nikkoblu2]

So I just spoke with the owner on the phone (naturally this is totally consuming me). I told her I was really unhappy with the compact double. Whether a granny gear or not...I want it back. I ride a lot of...significant...hills and actually look for them cause of the sense of pride after I haul my tush to the top.

She said she would speak to the guy that does the bike building regarding the cost to take care of this problem.

So what is considered acceptable here? I know changing the front cassette maybe mean changing the rear derailer and God knows what else. The bike was listed at $2,100. I asked her what she could take off being that it's a 2010. She came up with $1,900. By the time I added in the wireless computer, bottle caddy and tax the grand total was $2,149.

How much should I expect gratis being that they're trying to make a customer happy and I've only put 50 miles on the bike and already know I need to switch this out?

[JennK13]

Do you have to have THAT bike? Most of the shops I go to have at least a 30 day return policy if you don't like the bike and will give you a different one better suited to you. Not sure which model Synapse you have, and I'm not familiar with those bikes, but just a quick glance at the website and it looks like some models have an option of either a triple or a compact. Seems a lot easier to just switch out your bike than to switch (and charge you) for the components.....

[nikkoblu2]

Do you have to have THAT bike? Most of the shops I go to have at least a 30 day return policy if you don't like the bike and will give you a different one better suited to you. Not sure which model Synapse you have, and I'm not familiar with those bikes, but just a quick glance at the website and it looks like some models have an option of either a triple or a compact. Seems a lot easier to just switch out your bike than to switch (and charge you) for the components.....

Jenn, that's a really valid point. And, no, I don't HAVE to have this bike. When I call the bike shop later today I'll discuss that option of trying out a different bike altogether or a Synapse 3-ring.

[blackhillsbiker]

I'm going the other way on my Kona Dew. I hang out on the largest rings up front. I think I've used the granny once and I don't ride that route on that bike anymore. I think the double is going to give me more usable gears in the range I usually ride. I'm looking forward to the switch.

Deb