Bianchi double or triple?

[fudgedog]

I got new bike with compact double last week, was a bit worried changing over from previous bike with triple as some of the runs I do have pretty steep climbs. I don't really get all the gear/teeth/inches etc but so far the compact and me are coping and dare I say it I'm getting fitter. I still remember my first "racer" and it had 5 gears

 

[Fab Foodie]

Can I just point out that "closer spaced blocks" are bollocks.

It's all hype.
When I was 13 I had a 5-speed and it got me up the same hills as I get up now. With bigger spaces.

Thank you.

I somewhat agree.
I used to ride 52/42 with a 12 to 34 5speed rear block and could cycle up the sides of houses fully loaded. I think the bigger jumps helped developed a flexibility in riding style, particularly with respect to cadence.

Having said that, for maintaining a constant high pace at your best cadence as in racing or TT's, then a close ratio block is advantageous... but how many of us actually need one?

 

[dudi]

can you get a tripple that doesnt have a granny ring?

I.E.
Most tripple sets are circa 50-39-30

Compact doubles seem to be circa 50-34

Race doubles circa 53-39

so the tripple gives you a closer gearing, meaning smoother changes (i think).
however I have absolutely no need for a 30t ring... it would never ever get used.

Is it possible to get a tripple set with say 53-44-36? this would give you a decent range with a median chainring, smoother shifting, good top end speed and no wasted granny ring...

 

[philr]

granny ring,

try riding home 11 miles after a first night shift, where i have not slept for 20 hours, and wonder why the journey takes me a 1/3 longer to get home, and the "GRANNY RING" is welcome relief to my legs.

although when on fresh legs, no i find i dont need that "GRANNY RING" at all even for my local hills.

but yes there is a need for them in my opinion.

 

[dudi]

What i said was that I have no need for it... not that there isn't a need for it.

 

[Crackle]

Can I just point out that "closer spaced blocks" are bollocks.

It's all hype.
When I was 13 I had a 5-speed and it got me up the same hills as I get up now. With bigger spaces.

Thank you.

I somewhat agree.
I used to ride 52/42 with a 12 to 34 5speed rear block and could cycle up the sides of houses fully loaded. I think the bigger jumps helped developed a flexibility in riding style, particularly with respect to cadence.

Having said that, for maintaining a constant high pace at your best cadence as in racing or TT's, then a close ratio block is advantageous... but how many of us actually need one?

Fogey's, the pair of you

Yes I rode on five speed blocks and non-sti downtube shifters too. With the advent of 10 speed blocks and modern hood shifters I have adapted my riding style accordingly and I like it better. If I'm truthful, my ageing knees have had a say in it too

 

[Fab Foodie]

Fogey's, the pair of you

Yes I rode on five speed blocks and non-sti downtube shifters too. With the advent of 10 speed blocks and modern hood shifters I have adapted my riding style accordingly and I like it better. If I'm truthful, my ageing knees have had a say in it too

Nowt wrong with DT shifters young whippersnapper...

 

[Chris James]

What i said was that I have no need for it... not that there isn't a need for it.

Fair enough, but you live in Suffolk, whereas MarinYork lives in South Yorks. Its hilly this way.

To MarinYork, I think you would be best off with a triple, someting like 50-42-30 with 12-25 at the back. Nicely spaced and low for the steep hills at the end of your runs. Any number of road bikes are available with triples. I recall a posting on the C+ forum when someone bought a bike in Barnsely (from RaceScene I think) and were told that just about everyone bought triples in Barnsley!

I have had a 48/36 with 12/24 block in the past and I found that compacts require lots of gear changes, front and rear, around cruising gears. I too had five speed, non indexed blocks and 10 speed STI shifters are light years ahead of that technology.

For a tiny weight penalty the manufacturers have come up with drive chains that cover massive gear variations, change super smoothly and allow almost perfect chain lines if you take any sort of care.

From previous postings I got the impression that you rode similar sort of roads to me, at similar speeds and I am very glad that I have a triple.

 

[marinyork]

Hehe . Yes, I do ride similar roads at similar speeds. A triple with fractionally bigger cogs at the front is probably a good suggestion. I certainly needed the triple the other week on a long ride. I'll see what can be ordered in. This bike is just cheesing me off on longer rides.