Compac double vs triple

[indysteel]

Having said that, if you need a triple for climbing, it is totally worth any extra weight.

I think this misstates the issue. A triple is not, in and of itself, better for climbing. It depends on what cassette it is paired with. You can pair a compact double to a widely spaced cassette that essentially provides the same easy gears that a triple theoretically does. With that fix, what is lost are the gears in the middle of the gear range. Between the more widely spaced chainrings of a compact and more widely spaced cogs of a cassette geared for hard climbing, you end up with bigger gaps between gears, which makes finding just the right gear for flat or windy conditions a bit more challenging. To me, that is the real downside of a compact double. The climbing concerns are easily overcome.

I also like triples on real rolling terrain. At least for me, I end up having to shift "up front" a lot more on rollers with a compact than I would with the average triple set up. With a triple, I can often just shift between my rear cogs on rollers. Either way you're shifting, but for some reason, I prefer my shifts be within the rear cassette and not up front between chainrings. Maybe because I'm lazy.

[Kathi]

Anti 650c talk has been around forever. In the mid 90's my 1st small frame had 650c wheels and I was hearing the same kind of comments. That said, I love my 650's so much that I stayed with them when I had my custom frame built. At the same time I also demoed a bike with 700c wheels and honestly couldn't tell the difference.

Here's more information about 650c wheelsets,

http://www.rodbikes.com/blog/?p=355

I also have a compact crank, it's a Specialities TA crankset with a 48t big ring in the front. Rear is 13x29 ( Campy cassette). I do spin out on downhills but get much more use from my big ring. I can climb most hillls even though I don't ride hills as much as I used to. I love my 48t ring, I often stay in that ring on easy climbs.

I've never had a triple so I can't compare but my observation of the women I knew riding triples is they almost never used their big ring in the front on rolling terrain except for downhills (I'm sure some here will disagree).

If you find your having trouble with hills consider getting a larger cassette. Also, make sure you carry a tube with you in case of flats. Other than that you'll be fine, enjoy your new bike.

[Artista]

You didn't make a mistake if your new bike fits and it's the highest quality that fit into your budget.

I had a vintage frame updated with an entirely new drive train, including a triple chain ring. As Kathi mentioned, I only use my big ring on lengthy downhills. While you are wondering if you should have gotten a triple, I used to wonder whether I should have gone with a compact double. Sometimes we do too much second guessing. I say "If the bike fits, ride it"

[Koronin]

I have 1 road bike with 650c (Trek 2000 older bike) and a Felt F-5 with 700c. As far as the wheels don't know if it really makes that much difference. The F-5 fits me better (bought the Trek used and the Felt new). The biggest difference really is that the 700c are much more common so if you are riding with a group and get a flat you are much more likely for someone to have a tire if you didn't bring one. With the 650c you'd most likely better make sure you have a spare with you.

Now for the triple vs the compact double. Again the Trek has the triple and the Felt has the compact double. Personally I like the triple much better. I just am not nearly as happy with the gearing on the compact double and may change it to a triple at some point in the future.

[malkin]

I think you've got a great bike!

You'll find out more from riding your bike than listening to the numpties. You may want to make a few changes in the set up, but you'll only figure out what to do based on what happens when you ride. So go ride and have some fun!

I have certainly owned a few bikes that were pretty far from perfect and a few that were much better, but I'm smarter now because of them.

[Becky]

I have certainly owned a few bikes that were pretty far from perfect and a few that were much better, but I'm smarter now because of them.

Like!

[Seajay]

Great advice here. So called "experienced cyclists" opinions are as subject to scrutiny as anyone else's...maybe more. Be comfortable on your bike, love your bike and ignore the rest.

Yes, you have a lower gear with 650...but that's why we have gears.
IMO...Compact mainly means you have fewer high gears, not that you are lacking a high gear. 50x11,12. You just get into midrange gears earlier 50x14 etc.

Exhibit A. Mirinda Carfrae 2010 IronMan world champ on 650 wheels. Guaranteed she wouldn't have been on 650 if it was slower.

[colorisnt]

I used to have a compact bike. My main bike was a triple and now my only bike is a triple. Hill climbing here is a huge thing. HUGE hills, so I have to say the triple is much better. Back home on the flat I don't think it would have made a dang bit of difference. Ride it, see how you do, and you can always upgrade. That said, I do ride here with people who have compacts and they climb with me just fine. I just prefer the triple.

As for the wheel size, you are TINY and that bike is tiny. I have a 700 set on my 47, but that is 4 cm difference. Any smaller and the bike shop I got my bike from would have recommended a 650. I didn't freak out over it because I didn't really care as long as it fit.

Ignore the haters!

[Owlie]

I don't do a lot of climbing, but I do use my big ring on flat ground if I feel up to it and on descents. I don't use my little ring a whole lot, but that'll probably change if/when I start doing more climbing. My fitter says I should probably switch to a compact double for both mechanical and knee reasons, but I like the feel of the triple vs. that of the compact double, though I suppose I could get used to it. I'd personally like gearing that is good for a bit of everything, so I'm a little wary of losing gears with a double. (Right now, I have climbing gears and "go fast" gears, but no cruising gears...)