chainring: triple vs. compact double

[bcipam]

He says "Road bikes don't have triples", rolling his eyes... I said, "So what? I'll look around and find one." I suspect it's just another thing he finds "uncool" about my riding, similar to the "no carriers" rule (or whatever they're called now), and the "no fenders" rule (which seemed really dumb to me today when it rained for the last hour of our ride and I absolutely soaked from the muddy water rooster tail hitting me from in front and behind...).

..)

Triples aren't just for newbie riders... Alt of very experienced riders have come to love triples for so many reasons. It keeps the sport aerobic as opposed to anaerobic. I don't have to stand and push a hill, I can lower my gearing and spin up - although it's still not easy - I still have to push this big butt up a hill! Triples save knees making the climb easier on the joints. And I find myself looking for big hills. The Club guys with double avoid them (well the posers do...). If I were 20, very thin and very strong then I would do the double but eventually everyone comes to understand the purpose of a triple.

[Aggie_Ama]

I love my triple! I am already researching my replacement bike and I will not consider anything without a triple. Although I am getting stronger on climbing, I need my granny gear! DH even said the other day he sometimes wishes he had a triple on those steep climbs.

[cindysue]

Hi Amy -

you've been given a lot of good advice why a triple is preferable to many people. So, I'll chime in for some reasons why you might want to go with the compact and what has and hasn't worked for me.

I've had both and I don't see a huge difference with my compact double but I certainly can't carry loaded panniers up the mountain with it, so I'm buying another bike with touring gears for those few and far between loaded tours. I live in Walnut Creek and my current road bike has the FSA SLK Compact Double mentioned above. I debated sticking with a triple or going to a compact when I bought the bike. I decided to go with the compact double because it was a 10 speed (I suppose there are 10 speed triples) and I really wanted the latest technology on my bike since I plan to keep it for a long time. I also bought it with the thought that I would have to get stronger .

I really love the bike, but I admit I am slow going up hill. I have to pedal pretty hard to get up some of the steeper hills - but I am also still in pre-season shape right now. I did the Holstein 100 last year with this bike and was able to hump it up the big hill while standing and mashing. On the flip side, there are times when I am spinning on the descent (I have a 50-34 which is not a very high gear). And while I am not a downhill diva so I don't consider this a huge loss, I can always go to a 53-39 if I really want a higher gear.

I guess what I am trying to say is - if you are a strong rider, you might want to consider going to the compact. If you want to scream downhill, you might want to consider a higher large ring (53-39). The compact double might also be a good option if you plan on buying another bike with lower gears (as I am now doing).

lots of good advice from everyone. hope this helps....

[SadieKate]

I guess what I am trying to say is - if you are a strong rider, you might want to consider going to the compact. If you want to scream downhill, you might want to consider a higher large ring (53-39)

Psst, Cindy! MP can kick all of our collective posteriors with her lovely triple. You can get a 53 on the outside and a 30 on the granny with Campy 10 speed. Best of both worlds. Also, even if you only have a 48 or 50 on the outside, you can frequently get a big gear because you run a small cog like an 11T on your cassette. My Kelly has a big gear of 48x11 which is bigger than the 50x13 on the Litespeed. It's the combo of chainrings and cassettes together (as in gear inches and ratios) you have to consider.

[cindysue]

You can get a 53 on the outside and a 30 on the granny with Campy 10 speed. Best of both worlds. Also, even if you only have a 48 or 50 on the outside, you can frequently get a big gear because you run a small cog like an 11T on your cassette. My Kelly has a big gear of 48x11 which is bigger than the 50x13 on the Litespeed. It's the combo of chainrings and cassettes together (as in gear inches and ratios) you have to consider.

nice! thanks! Not sure I'm ready to switch to campy, but good to know!

[dachshund]

I absolutely appreciate all the good advice here! For my situation, the triple is a resounding winner. I really loved riding the first time around, and I remember being able to see marked improvements within a few months - that's one of the features that's drawing me back. It's an enjoyable fitness program... and I'm so bored with the gym! But my knees just turned 50, so I'd like to be kind to them.

I'm interested in kelownagirl's experience riding again after 20 years, and what it was like to get through the buying experience.

Thanks again.
Amy

[kelownagirl]

I'm interested in kelownagirl's experience riding again after 20 years, and what it was like to get through the buying experience.

Thanks again.
Amy

Not much of an educational story on the buying experience there I'm afraid. I had ridden my 8 year old, very heavy, mountain bike a few times last summer and again this spring. (Didn't know the difference between a mountain bike and a road bike until I met DH 2 years ago). When I decided to actually start "training" myself to ride more seriously this spring, I bought the new bike. Woke up one morning, said let's go buy me a bike, went to three different stores, found one at the last store and bought it. Was just hoping to get a used bike that was better quality than my old one (which wouldn't be too hard) but ended up spending about twice what I had planned (the bike was only 1 year old). I rode it around the parking lot a few times and said, yup it seems good to me I really had no clue. I let dh and the store guy make the "mechanical" decisions. I liked that it had disc brakes only because dh was excited about that. I changed the seat to one off another bike I had tried and also bought slicks because I was mostly going to ride on the road. I guess I'm lucky because I really like this bike and it fits me and it goes much faster than my old one and the chain never falls off

HOWEVER, in the past two months, I have tons of reading about cycling, reading all hubby's Cycling magazines, Team Estrogen archives etc etc and now I'm just beginning to understand a little about what really should go into buying a bike. I am gonna buy me a good road bike sometime in the next year and I'm gonna to know what to look for and do the "mechanical" talking myself next time.