Allez '09 - dble or triple?

[Westwardbound]

I've re-assessed my requirements and am going for a road bike. Found a shop with stock(!) and I'm test riding an Allez '09 (Large) this afternoon (hope the rain keeps off). If I like it I will be buying/ordering.

Should I go for a double or pay about £30 more for a triple? I don't see myself hill-climbing but do live in Bath which has some decent gradients.

What do you think? I'm leaving at 2pm so any views will be well received! Thanks.

 

[Smokin Joe]

A gentleman is one who knows how to ride a triple, but doesn't.

 

[Moonlight]

Double.

Triple is for those things with the big tires....ewww..

 

[stoatsngroats]

but do live in Bath which has some decent gradients.

if your lowest gear on a double only gets used occasionally, and the lowest on a triple even less, would you rather do without the triple, and walk....?

I'd take the triple....

 

[toontra]

I take great pleasure when on sportives in cycling past people with double (or compact) chainsets who are walking up the steepest hills. This happens often. With my triple I never walk.

If in any doubt, get a triple. Those who snub triples are either:

1) Very fit
2) Rarely ride steep hills
3) Bike snobs
4) Weight over function victims

 

[Smokin Joe]

I take great pleasure when on sportives in cycling past people with double (or compact) chainsets who are walking up the steepest hills. This happens often. With my triple I never walk.

If in any doubt, get a triple. Those who snub triples are either:

1) Very fit
2) Rarely ride steep hills
3) Bike snobs
4) Weight over function victims

Or those who have been cycling since 42*19 was the standard bottom gear and you changed to a 21 sprocket when you visited the really hilly terrain.

 

[kyuss]

I guess I'm a bit of a bike snob but I like my road bikes to look like road bikes, not something with MTB bits bolted on to encourage laziness.

If a 4 stone overweight smoker like me can lug his fat arse up and down the hills round Edinburgh on a 39x25 without too much trouble I can't see why anyone would need a triple unless doing long steep mountain climbs, and that's what compacts and big cassettes are for.

Anyway, big hills aren't meant to be easy. There would be no sense of achievement if they were.

 

[Moonlight]

I take great pleasure when on sportives in cycling past people with double (or compact) chainsets who are walking up the steepest hills. This happens often. With my triple I never walk.

If in any doubt, get a triple. Those who snub triples are either:

1) Very fit
2) Rarely ride steep hills
3) Bike snobs
4) Weight over function victims

I'll self nominate myself for 1)

 

[numbnuts]

triple think of your knees

 

[andy_wrx]

The Allez double is a 50/34 compact IIRC, the triple a 50/39/30
Both have 12-25 cassette.

So it's not a choice between standard double and triple, it's between compact and triple.
Not actually that much difference between bottom gearing.

 

[Westwardbound]

Thanks everyone for your advice - both content and speed. I'm just back having bought and brought back with me an Allez '09 Triple. As I think someone said, if you don't know or have to ask, get a Triple. Whilst I try to kid myself I'm reasonably fit, I doubt that I really am so any extra help I can get I should take!

Off out for a short ride a bit later. Thanks again.

 

[toontra]

Good move. There are some bloody steep hills in Bath, especially on the north side.

There aren't really any disadvantages of a triple apart from the minimal extra weight and being a bit more fiddly to set up the front derailleur (the shop will sort out any problems on your 3-month service anyway).

Congrats!

 

[Smokin Joe]

triple think of your knees

Internet myth.

 

[numbnuts]

Originally Posted by numbnuts
triple think of your knees

Internet myth.

when your old like me you'll have a triple

 

[alecstilleyedye]

know your riding style. if you like to grind up gradients in a big gear, the compact should suit fine. if you prefer to spin a low gear up them, get the triple.

it's largely a matter of choice and physiology - i spin, so does lance armstrong. i know other as good or better cyclists that grind, and plenty of pros do to. if you can make the decision based on how you ride, it will be a better one that one based on snobbery or what suits someone else.