Compact Double or Triple?

[buffybike]

I have a triple on my road bike and have never used a compact double. The guys at my LBS tried to talk me into a compact double with a mountain bike cassette in the rear when I upgraded to Shimano 105, but since I'm moving to CO soon, I figured I would need a triple on those hills. Plus, my knees are shot and I've got to baby them.

Now that my riding has much improved from a year ago, I'm kinda wishing I'd gone with a double for 3 reasons: (1) it's lighter, (2) I'm topping out in the big chain ring on the flats and descents, (3) I've only used the smallest chainring a couple of times. In a perfect world, I'd keep my current setup for longer, hilly rides and have a compact for shorter and/or less hilly ones. If the right deal came along....

[indysteel]

I have a triple on my road bike and have never used a compact double. The guys at my LBS tried to talk me into a compact double with a mountain bike cassette in the rear when I upgraded to Shimano 105, but since I'm moving to CO soon, I figured I would need a triple on those hills. Plus, my knees are shot and I've got to baby them.

Now that my riding has much improved from a year ago, I'm kinda wishing I'd gone with a double for 3 reasons: (1) it's lighter, (2) I'm topping out in the big chain ring on the flats and descents, (3) I've only used the smallest chainring a couple of times. In a perfect world, I'd keep my current setup for longer, hilly rides and have a compact for shorter and/or less hilly ones. If the right deal came along....

Out of curiosity, what set up do you have with your triple? Depending on the cassette you're now using, you would likely have had smaller gears if you'd gone with a compact and mountain cassette.

I can't stress this enough in discussing compacts versus triple: a compact with the right cassette can replicate or even exceed the granny gears that you have with your typical triple set up.

[mauisher]

Indysteel, What Shimano set-up would you recommend for a compact that would meet or exceed a common triple. Looking for Ultegra quality. Thanks

[indysteel]

Indysteel, What Shimano set-up would you recommend for a compact that would meet or exceed a common triple. Looking for Ultegra quality. Thanks

I'm pretty sure that Shimano offers a 12-27 cassette. That comes pretty close to the granny gears that you'd find with your typical triple set up (52-42-30 crank and a 12-25 cassette). You could also pair a mountain cassette with the compact and get even smaller gears. You'd have bigger jumps with that set up, which wouldn't be to my liking.

I say all of that without actually checking Shimano's website to verify their offerings. I'll do that when I have a chance and get back to you.

[lo123]

I'm pretty sure that Shimano offers a 12-27 cassette. That comes pretty close to the granny gears that you'd find with your typical triple set up (52-42-30 crank and a 12-25 cassette). You could also pair a mountain cassette with the compact and get even smaller gears. You'd have bigger jumps with that set up, which wouldn't be to my liking.

I say all of that without actually checking Shimano's website to verify their offerings. I'll do that when I have a chance and get back to you.

Shimano makes an 11-28, I'm running that with compact crankset on my road bike. It's not quite as easy as my triple with 11-34 on the back (MTB RD and casette), but it's much better for my bad hips/back than the 11-25 that was on it originally.

I also have a 12-27, but I prefer the 28 to be kind to my joints.

The 11-28 can be a little finicky with a short cage rear derailleur (what I have), long cage would be better. The gaps can be a pain at times because it feels like you're missing the gear you need. But I'm willing to deal with that trade off.

[oz rider]

I can't stress this enough in discussing compacts versus triple: a compact with the right cassette can replicate or even exceed the granny gears that you have with your typical triple set up.

+1. I've ridden traditional and compact doubles with similar cassettes and a triple. The new tourer got a compact double and a dinner plate - weight, simplicity, Q factor, hassle factor. It's kind to a dodgy knee and can go up pretty well anything.

[nikkoblu2]

I can't stress this enough in discussing compacts versus triple: a compact with the right cassette can replicate or even exceed the granny gears that you have with your typical triple set up.

Very interesting point, Indy. I bought my first road bike a month ago coming off a great Trek 7.3 hybrid with a triple. I'm still getting used to some of the features of the road bike, including the compact double with a 12-26 cassette.

It's clear I can't spin quite the way I could going up hills,but before I switch anything out I'll wait till I can try the whole setup with clipless shoes/pedals (next Spring).

Your quote give me add'l confidence that even if I'm still not satisfied with the climbing power going clipless - it will be an easy fix. (Not to mention I had some great advice from other great ladies on this forum when I started another thread on this subject).