Bike Build - Triple or Compact?

[ridebikeme]

Like so many of you, I have bikes with both. And after putting tons of miles on both, I prefer a triple. It gives me the low gearing that I need, but the jumps in between gear ratios is much closer and to my liking. But we all have different areas that we ride in and different opinions.

[maillotpois]

I have an 11-32 cassette with a standard derailleur on my campy 11 speed compact and it is awesome. It is the same easy gear ratio as on my triple and frankly it shifts better (the triple needs a little adjustment). So you have a lot of range with a compact.

[ridebikeme]

As a shop owner, I have heard many times over the years that triples simply do not shift well. The reality is that as long as everything is adjusted correctly, the cyclist isn't asking the bike to shift in weird combinations... then everything is fine. Like any bike, there are ways to shift that make it easier and more rewarding for the cyclist. For most folks, the large jump between the larger mountain bike cassettes are sometimes a challenge, but the each of us have different opinions and different needs, so the end result is that whatever works.

[ny biker]

As a shop owner, I have heard many times over the years that triples simply do not shift well. The reality is that as long as everything is adjusted correctly, the cyclist isn't asking the bike to shift in weird combinations... then everything is fine. Like any bike, there are ways to shift that make it easier and more rewarding for the cyclist. For most folks, the large jump between the larger mountain bike cassettes are sometimes a challenge, but the each of us have different opinions and different needs, so the end result is that whatever works.

My old road bike had a triple with a Tiagra front derailleur, and it needed to be adjusted frequently. Then one day something on the derailleur broke while it was being adjusted at the shop. They only had an Ultegra in stock, so they replaced it with that. And suddenly I no longer needed frequent adjustments.

I'm equally happy with the compact double on my current bike, but I've never done loaded touring so I defer to folks with experience in that area.

[ridebikeme]

NY BIKER: It's definitely true that the better quality the drivetrain is the better that it shifts, but I suppose that is true whether it's a triple or any of todays products. AS for self contained touring.. a triple is definitely better. But if folks get out and ride, that is the point of the story.