52/42/30 or 50/39/30?

[Nigelnaturist]

I ride last years rapid with the 52 set up, and found it almost a waste until my legs got up to strength- you'll find yourself sticking it into 52: 11 and can't turn it, so you move the back to 52:12 still too hard, then 52:13 (?) is the only comfortable one- at which point the gearing is no different to 50:11 and you only use the two smallest for long down hills as you can't use them on the flat.
As mentioned above your leg strength will increase meaning you can use the large ring more and more, I wouldn't get too caught up on top end gear for the sake of a greater choice the rest of the time.

This is why i like the triple, ok it's only 7 sp but I have almost the range of a compact (depending on rear ratios), but the closeness of a traditional double, and as you say the more you do the more you find yourself moving up the gearing, I can spin happily on a 52x17 most of the time about 90, and I spin out on the 52x13 about 30-34 mph down hill,

 

[raggydoll]

Thanks for all the info.
The back seems to be 11-28 9s for both.
2013
http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-rapid-4-2012-10-worth-of-free-goods
2014
http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-rapid-4-2014

I think I've decided to go with the 2014 model....although its on ash cycles but I can't see it on the giant site.
gonna get it in my local shop when its in stock.

Taken me best part of 2 years to decide which bike to get. Ridiculous!

 

[Gravity Aided]

Sounds like a well planned purchase.

 

[helston90]

Thanks for all the info.
The back seems to be 11-28 9s for both.
2013
http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-rapid-4-2012-10-worth-of-free-goods
2014
http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-rapid-4-2014
I think I've decided to go with the 2014 model....although its on ash cycles but I can't see it on the giant site.
gonna get it in my local shop when its in stock.
Taken me best part of 2 years to decide which bike to get. Ridiculous!

They're both 8 speed - "CassetteSRAM PG850 11-28, 8s", hope this hasn't affected your decision.