Do I really need a triple???

[punkypossum]

Cool, sounds like conversion is not as impossible as I thought!

Just added the cannondale synapse to my shortlist as well...

 

[alecstilleyedye]

ps: It'll cost you loads (both money and faffing) to change from a double to a triple later down the line.

been there, done that!

 

[BentMikey]

toe overlap? I know I was talking gear overlap or are you not referring to my post?

Sorry, must have misread that!

 

[simoncc]

Triples are not for fat old men. In my experience fat old men have doubles because they want something that looks just like what the Tour de France boys want. So they splash out on carbon framed masterpieces and dawdle around the country lanes on nice summer days pushing very high gears while going beetroot red in the face.

What does for most people is a touring triple made by Stronglight with 46/36/26 teeth. Most road triples are too highly geared most non-racing riders who are not in the first flush of youth. For someone in a flat area a compact double will probably be OK with a decent spread on the cassette.

 

[peanut]

Punky, have you actually worked out what gears you use now for cruising and climbing? A bit of time invested on it might start to clarify your needs as will intended use.

thats the problem crackle . If I understand possum's first post correctly she has never ridden a road bike before so she is not likely to know what she'l need hence posting this thread.

No idea how well I climb - probably not very well. I can't really say, as I have never ridden a road bike with road bike gearing...

 

[Crackle]

Starter for 10 though Peanut. I mentioned it wouldn't be equivalent in feel but a 64" gear is a 64" gear whether it be a 42x18 on a mtn bike or a 50x22 on a road bike (or thereabouts. I haven't got a gear chart in front of me).

I just realized; you know she has a mtn bike though. She's a century rider is our Punky.

 

[peanut]

Starter for 10 though Peanut. I mentioned it wouldn't be equivalent in feel but a 64" gear is a 64" gear whether it be a 42x18 on a mtn bike or a 50x22 on a road bike (or thereabouts. I haven't got a gear chart in front of me).

I just realized; you know she has a mtn bike though. She's a century rider is our Punky.

yes but it doesn't translate into hill climbing ability does it.
Put the same gear on a MTB and a road bike and I know which one I would prefer to climb with

century rider eh !... maybe we should be asking her advice ...

 

[Crackle]

yes but it doesn't translate into hill climbing ability does it.
Put the same gear on a MTB and a road bike and I know which one I would prefer to climb with

century rider eh !... maybe we should be asking her advice ...

No absolutely, point taken but I still use the same gears on my mtn as my road, it's just the road bike takes less effort to cruise at the same speed or faster.

Punky always posts in beginners, even though I'd consider her well past beginner now (take note Punky)

 

[punkypossum]

But I AM a roadbike beginner!!! Plus there wasn't really anywhere else to stick the question... And at least it tends to be busy in beginners, so there is a better chance of getting loads of (conflicting) answers and advice!!!

I'll make sure I stick my questions in P&L in the future!!!

However, if it helps, the mtb has a 11-32 8 speed casette and a 42/34/24 Crankset....I spent most of my live on the middle chainring and vary between gears 8-5 on flattish territory, the lowest I ever had to drop was middle ring at the front and 2 at the back - but that was on the hill from hell. I tend to spin rather than grind...

Not sure what the above really means, but it somehow sounds a lot lower than what I will get on a road bike... Argh!!!

 

[marinyork]

I thought you were really speedy punkypossum whizzing around at 15mph and did a 100 miler last year?

 

[peanut]

But I AM a roadbike beginner!!! Plus there wasn't really anywhere else to stick the question... And at least it tends to be busy in beginners, so there is a better chance of getting loads of (conflicting) answers and advice!!!

I'll make sure I stick my questions in P&L in the future!!!

you can post anywhere you like punky as far as I'm concerned . well done for completing a century anyway.

 

[punkypossum]

I thought you were really speedy punkypossum whizzing around at 15mph and did a 100 miler last year?

I wouldn't say I'm speedy - and the 15 is on a good day, but yes, I did a 100 miler on my trusted moutain bike. Starting to get serious doubts now - maybe I should just stick with the current bike, at least I know I can handle it!

 

[Cranky]

I wouldn't say I'm speedy - and the 15 is on a good day, but yes, I did a 100 miler on my trusted moutain bike. Starting to get serious doubts now - maybe I should just stick with the current bike, at least I know I can handle it!

Triple.

 

[marinyork]

I wouldn't say I'm speedy - and the 15 is on a good day, but yes, I did a 100 miler on my trusted moutain bike. Starting to get serious doubts now - maybe I should just stick with the current bike, at least I know I can handle it!

That be speedy, and surely it isn't flat where you are so that's not bad at all. I think after 100 miler you deserve a faster bike and can probably get a bit more out of it than some of us other folk.

 

[Titch]

I am new to road bikes, I got my bike today. However I got a specialized Allez with the double chainset. Had a quick ride around Plymouth this afternoon and didn't struggle on any of the many hills in this city. I was suprised at how much easier the hills seemed on the new bike, compared to my hybrid bike that I use for commuting.

I had the same quandry about double or triple but I am pleased that I went for the double. I'm going out tomorrow around dartmoor so I'll let you know if I struggle with the gears.