Hybrids better for hills?

[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!

[tiva]

I've got the Cannondale Synapse compact double as well, coming from a hybrid with a triple and a granny gear. The first month was hard, but then I got used to the compact, and also better at balancing while standing up on steep hills. And clipless pedals help a ton! You'll like the Cannondale a lot more once you get the clipless pedals on her.

[warneral]

I'm going from a triple to a compact double when I get my new baby. I"m a little bit nervous. But I decided compact is "it" for me b/c I don't find myself changing gears very much with the triple. It's just too testy. I look forward to the straight-forwardness of the compact double. It is good to know that Tiva learned to get used to your compact double as I'm in Madison area There are some hills here for sure (north west of Madison)

[nikkoblu2]

Hey Tiva - thanks for the input. So glad to hear you're happy with the transition from the triple to the double. Funny you mention standing up on hills - cause I notice how much more wobbly standing on the road bike is as compared to the hybrid. Actually, I don't really stand much and try to use my gears sufficiently so I don't have to. But, it's nice to know standing is always an option to get that last bit of power to get over the hurdle.

I'll get the clipless in the Spring. Planning on doing a charity ride this Saturday in Hazleton, PA - they've got scads of hills - so this will be great practice getting in groove with the lower gears.

[blackhillsbiker]

I'm finding that I shift much more often with the double. I guess I had been avoiding it with the triple because it was much harder to shift. I had the derailleur adjusted bunches of times but it never seemed to help. Now it seems so easy and responsive. My last few rides have been much more fun.

Deb