chainring: triple vs. compact double

[dachshund]

I'm researching getting a bike, after being away from it for several years. It was pouring rain last weekend, but I went to a LBS anyway (talking, no riding). I mentioned wanting easy climbing gears since I'll be getting in shape. He recommended a compact double chainring instead of the triple.

This makes sense to me as being less complicated. I'm wondering what the pros & cons are. (I wasn't thinking fast enough to quiz him on the spot). Does either one result in losing gears on either end of the range? I understand that there would be fewer combinations, but it seems that you'd get the same range. Would the double just give you larger jumps from one gear to the next?

Thanks in advance.
Amy

[SadieKate]

Amy, where and how far do you plan on riding? All the way up Diablo, Hamilton, Tam? Big mountains? Long miles? Northern California (except in the Central Valley) is not easy riding.

I have triples on all my bikes. My 26 chainring x 32 cassette is really nice on those 17-22% grades. If you have healthy knees, low fat percentage, and a strong climbing ability, a compact might be fine, but I personally couldn't do it as I'm older, not so lean and have had 4 knee ops.

Have you read up on gears and used the gear calculator on www.sheldonbrown.com? You can figure out the gear inches of your current bike and then enter the gearing you're thinking about. You will understand the entire argument around doubles and triples better if you understand gear inches.

[Susie]

A few months ago I bought a new bike with a compact double. Previously, I had a triple. I can say that the double does not have the range of gears that the triple has -- I was missing my lowest granny gears and certain a couple of gears at the other end of the spectrum. The most noticable difference for me was the shifting of the chain on the chainrings. The difference in going from the large chainring to the small is so big that I have to crank on the back gears before making the change, otherwise my legs are just spinning with no traction.

2 weeks ago I was hit by a truck and my bike is totalled (see the "My bike is totalled" thread in Open Topics). I am currently selecting all of the parts for my new bike build. I have decided to go back to a triple. I really miss my granny gears on the big climbs around here, but also, I miss being able to pedal on decents and hit 45+ mph (I know -- I'm really stupid and crazy that way). I just can't get my speed up with the gearing on the double. But that said, if it weren't for the crash, I would be sticking with my double.

You might want to test ride bikes with both options and see what you like. Be sure to throw some steep climbs into your rides.

Susie

[maillotpois]

Triple, triple, triple!!!

I couldn't stand to lose gears at either end of the range. I need my granny for going up the stuff we have around here and I need something super heavy duty for powering on the flats and rollers. I don't necessarily think a compact is less "complicated" and in fact some folks report the compact don't shift as smoothly because you're jumping so many gears.

The weight gain (compact v. triple) is negligible and remedied in my case by perhaps one fewer rice krispy treat a week.

[dachshund]

I fully intend to do hills, but I think I'll pass on "big mountains" right at first. But seriously, I really loved the longer rides and the more interesting routes have hills, no getting around it. (I used to like hills, actually... Sick, huh? Older now, we'll see.) I will have to gradually build up to anything challenging, and I want to make it as enjoyable as possible.

So the term "compact double" means "compact", in that you're not getting the granny gears? If that's true, then I have my answer. I also wondered about the geometry and ... what Susie said. Thanks!

[caligurl]

another triple user! i seem to do a lot of climbing rides.... so i end up using my triple! the bike shop tried to talk me into a compact.. but hubby looked up the gears.. and to get the easier gears... i lost too much at the top end for descents/flats... i didn't want to compromise.. heck... i already spin out on descents with what i have! to think i'd have been spinning out even sooner with a compact? no way!

i think a LOT of the pushiness with compact for the guys is their ego.. they can't stand to think they need a triple.. so they will lose gears on their top end to get those easier gears... i don't have that ego problem... i have a triple... and i use it!

[maillotpois]

i think a LOT of the pushiness with compact for the guys is their ego.. they can't stand to think they need a triple.. so they will lose gears on their top end to get those easier gears... i don't have that ego problem... i have a triple... and i use it!

Agreed! I love a guy who's secure enough to use a triple.... (My DH and Baldino for example...)

[caligurl]

OH! forgot to add.... i'm not getting any younger... and it's sure nice to be able to downshift to an easier granny gear (or as i call them... my baby gears!) and save my knees!!!!!!

[SadieKate]

A touring triple (like a Sugino XD) is much more flexible and you can customize chainring size as you get more fit. You can also swap cassettes based on the terrain you ride.

I use a touring triple (26-36-48) for the big hills with the Bay Area girls and have an 11-32 cassette for those days. If I'm going to ride a flatter course, I'll swap the cassette to a 12-25. Not as big a range but more selections in a narrow window which is preferable if you aren't riding hills.

Cheaper to swap cassettes than cranksets. Just be sure to get a rear derailleur that can handle a large cassette.

[Bike Goddess]

Dachshund- Since you live in or around Walnut Creek, I too would recommend a triple. I've got two bikes and both have triples. I think you'll be glad for the range of gears you will get with this arrangement.

You might call REI in Concord and ask for Mick in the bike repair shop. He recently put a compact double on one of his bikes to see if he liked the arrangement. He's been riding for a long time on triples so he can give you some good advice. (He works part time, so you'll probably have to ask when he is around.) Be sure to tell him that Nancy from Benicia sent you- I ride with him and have a lot of respect for his opinions.

[dachshund]

Yep, I'm thinking the triple is the way to go. Thanks!
-Amy

[Geonz]

I have *only* used triples, so I waited to reply.

I don't go see my granny often ... but boy, am I glad she's there! We don't have hills around here, but I'm considered a strong climber (wind is great training for hills)... but I dunno, it just seems to make sense to be *able* to have more options.

Even with my triple on my first hybrid, I would run out of gears on the top end on the prairie with a good tailwind. My LBS dude said no, I didn't need a road bike :-) The 7500 FX with skinny tires would make me happy. It has...

[betagirl]

I have 2 triples, and I live in Chicago My theory is that I don't use the triple very often, but it's nice for it to be there when I need it.

[Nokomis]

wow, I actually like my compact! Just switched to it 2 weeks ago, and after yesterday's hills I didn't feel like I was missing a gear. Now, I'm a total n00b when it comes to gears and numbers - so I don't know how my lowest gear on my triple would have compared from a technical standpoint.

[bcipam]

i think a LOT of the pushiness with compact for the guys is their ego.. they can't stand to think they need a triple.. so they will lose gears on their top end to get those easier gears... i don't have that ego problem... i have a triple... and i use it!

And THERE in a nutshell is what a compact crank is all about!!!!!