power vs weight vs triple / compact

[Fab Foodie]

I've always really liked my 52/42/32 triple...just seems right!

It was mine too until I swapped to 48/38/26 .....

 

[uclown2002]

I must be the only one who has no issues with a compact!

 

[ColinJ]

It was mine too until I swapped to 48/38/26 .....

The triple on my Cannondale is 48/38/28 but I think I might replace the 28 with a 26 when it wears out. If one is going for a 'rescue gear', then why not get something that makes the biggest difference possible within reason! A 26/29 bottom gear really would get me up nearly anything that I am likely to want to ride up.

 

[steveindenmark]

The highest point in Cornwall is probably Brown Willy (no sniggering at the back there).

And you dont want to be seen struggling to get up Brown Willy do you?

 

[steveindenmark]

I must be the only one who has no issues with a compact!

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AO43p2Wqc08

 

[uclown2002]

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AO43p2Wqc08

You've misunderstood my intention, so maybe I should have been clearer.
I have no trouble finding the correct gear despite the 16T difference between rings, and I don't find it the slightest bit inconvenient. It's ideal for me where I live and ride. Some on here claim that compacts are the devil's work!
If I wanted to boast I'd be claiming to ride a traditional double chainset.

 

[Lien Sdrawde]

Hardknott and Wynose done on my triple yesterday, plus a few smaller 25% hills with relative ease.

Ta for all the advice.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Hardknott and Wynose done on my triple yesterday, plus a few smaller 25% hills with relative ease.

Ta for all the advice.

Well done - nasty things those two.

I've seen some very fit riders get off on those esp' at the top of Hardknott (West>East).

 

[mr messy]

I must be the only one who has no issues with a compact!

I have compact and no problem with it either but triple is just sweet in use

 

[mr messy]

I wonder, with the number of gears available at the rear, and the pro's having to add weights to make limit, if triples would make sense in mountain stages...

 

[Trull]

It was interesting cycling up Redstone Rigg on the Tour of East Lothian (35+mph headwind up c.20% rising through 400m+) through driving sleet and snow that the people like myself with a really low gear were able to keep a higher cadence and hence even out the power going through the wheel to keep traction.

Chainline is a good reason to get a triple as that extra 5-15w saved by a nicely aligned chain can get you down the road further, and personally unless I'm on Di2 the number of clicks needed to keep a steady cadence on my compact setup gets a little annoying. Although obviously everyone has different priorities on what fatigues you.
I'm going to be dropping some serious money on a new wonder bike soon… and I'll probably be getting a triple geared 26x40x50, with odd numbered cogs at the back.

One of the great conveniences with my existing 28x41x52 triple onto a 12x32 8sp cassette is that when I'm comfortably making progress on the middle ring I can change up by either changing to the big ring (with no additional rear mech change) from the 21T or the 19T. Then once speed has built up simply change on the rear mech. However, I have down-tube shifters on that bike, where brifters make short work of this, it isn't so much of an issue.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I wonder, with the number of gears available at the rear, and the pro's having to add weights to make limit, if triples would make sense in mountain stages...

They're professionals, they can comfortably push gears that would leave the rest of us struggling. On wet stages of the Giro riders have used triples on the 25% gradients to prevent the rear wheel spinning up when they're putting the power down, but otherwise they simply don't need them.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Maybe even doubles will be a thing of the past soon http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/sram-...tm_source=newsletter_rcuk#4GTrRjzlwGfz4bGj.97

 

[Sittingduck]

Another +1 for a compact. Allows me to pretty much leave it in the big ring unless I encounter a serious climb. The big jump people complain about when they switch back down to the small ring is easily masked by simply shifting up two sprockets as you shift down on the front. Don't think 50x11 is particularly undergeared either - capable of plenty on a flat out sprint and never really spun out downhill. At those kind of speeds, may as well aero tuck anyway

 

[Dogtrousers]

Maybe even doubles will be a thing of the past soon http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/sram-...tm_source=newsletter_rcuk#4GTrRjzlwGfz4bGj.97

I found it amusing that they are illustrating a product that is essentially all about wide range cassetes with a picture of a chainwheel. Not this