Hybrids better for hills?

[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

[nikkoblu2]

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

Deb - you must have some serious hills where you ride. Yes? Not to mention how beautiful I hear it is out there. So do you like to spin up hill or are you a stander?

I'm headed back to the bike shop to do some more test riding this weekend and focus specifically on gearing up hills. Fortunately, the LBS seems like they will be quite accomodating to whatever works for me.

[blackhillsbiker]

We do have some serious hills, but I don't ride them on this bike. It's my commuter. I'm not much of a spinner in any case. Most of the hill riding I do on the MTB (29er). I appreciate the wide range of gearing on that bike. I've had a lot of trouble with the derailleur on the Dew. I was going to just upgrade components. When we (the LBS guy and I) started talking about the gears I use on that bike, and the type of riding I use it for, we decided a double would be much less frustrating for me. You're right. An accommodating and helpful LBS is important. I'm glad yours is working with you to achieve the bike that will fit you best.

It's beautiful out here. You should visit sometime.

Deb

[ny biker]

Well this is turning out to be a timely thread for me. I just tested out a 2010 Madone 4.7, which only comes with a compact double. My old road bike has a triple, and I use the granny gear a lot. Unfortunately for today's ride I wasn't able to try it out on any real hills, so tomorrow I'm going back for a longer ride which will include some rollers as well as two hills that I normally need the granny gear on.

[nikkoblu2]

I spent hours at the LBS yesterday riding my new compact double and a comparable Cannondale Synapse with a triple paying attention just to switching gears. Spent a lot of time talking to all the shop's staff after spending the week reading about compact doubles.

Guess I should have done all that before I bought the bike, but it turns out I'm keeping what I have and am quite pleased now. Seems I can hang out on that 50-tooth ring in the front for 80-90% of the ride and just switch around on the 10 gears in the back.

Did a ride today where there was only one hill where I really needed the 34 tooth ring - definitely no need for the granny gear, but there will be an adjustment period. My confidence is going back up that THIS bike will get me up the hills like my hybrid did...that that's a huge part of getting up the hill.

[IFjane]

My confidence is going back up that THIS bike will get me up the hills like my hybrid did...that that's a huge part of getting up the hill.

Exactly!

I went through the same processes a few years ago when DH gave me a new drivetrain for our wedding. I moved from a triple to a compact double on my road bike. I will have to say that there was an adjustment period, but I have been able to ride all the hills at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mtns. here in VA that I rode with my triple. Additionally, I have ridden in the Rockies several times and have not yet found a hill I cannot pedal. You will be fine!