Triple

[chipmonster]

I cycle in Manchester and Blackburn on my racer.

In Manchester, its fairly flat therefore I am always on the big ring, however in Blackburn, its really hilly, therefore mainly cycling on the lowest gears.

However, their are some areas I just cannot physically go up on my racer, but on my mountain bike which is heavier, I can go up quite easily.

Is it worth changing the double pedal into a triple. Also what would I need to change. would I need a new set of gears (presently on sti shimano shifters) and a new pedal.

 

[HLaB]

What size of chain ring have you got at the moment a 39/52, if so you could go for a compact 34/50 or a larger cassette on the back. I'm not an expert on this but I believe it'd be cheaper than fitting a new triple chainring.

 

[jasper]

Triples have no place on a road bike...get a different cassette or compact chain rings.

 

[RedBike]

I did point out when you were thinking of buying your racer that you if you were struggling on a MTB you probably wouldn't be able to get up the hills using a standard double on a racer.

Lower gears will make things much easier but changing to a triple could cost you a fortune.

To change to a triple will proabably need:
A new chainset (maybe a new bottom bracket),
a new front mech
and a long cage rear mech

You might also need new gear shifters although most shimano shifters will opperate a double or a triple.

The cheapest option of all is to keep practicing. You will get there!

 

[chipmonster]

Redbike, your advice was spot on.

I may go for a bigger cassette at the back, but keep practing may be the real answer.

Thanks.

I did point out when you were thinking of buying your racer that you if you were struggling on a MTB you probably wouldn't be able to get up the hills using a standard double on a racer.

Lower gears will make things much easier but changing to a triple could cost you a fortune.

To change to a triple will proabably need:
A new chainset (maybe a new bottom bracket),
a new front mech
and a long cage rear mech

You might also need new gear shifters although most shimano shifters will opperate a double or a triple.

The cheapest option of all is to keep practicing. You will get there!

 

[jasper]

What have you got on there at the mo? You won't be able to go too big or you'll still need to change the rear mech.

 

[parklaneyido]

Triples have no place on a road bike...get a different cassette or compact chain rings.

Why's that then?

I bought a Scott Speedster S60 the other week and it came with a triple... I very rarely if ever use the smallest ring though... It's make the gears too loose for my liking

 

[jasper]

Why's that then?

Because if you need a triple you won't be competitive. Get the miles in and you'll find that you can get up hills without one.

I bought a Scott Speedster S60 the other week and it came with a triple... I very rarely if ever use the smallest ring though... It's make the gears too loose for my liking

My point exactly, once you're fit, you'll find (found) that the granny ring won't be used.

 

[fossyant]

Triples, compacts.......argh !

 

[jasper]

Isn't that a compact in your avatar fossy?

 

[parklaneyido]

My point exactly, once you're fit, you'll find (found) that the granny ring won't be used.

It's not used now!

 

[chipmonster]

Dont have a clue what on their at the moment, the cassette at the back seems to be small.

For manchester riding, the system is perfect, for Blackburn which is full of hills, its really hard work.

What have you got on there at the mo? You won't be able to go too big or you'll still need to change the rear mech.

 

[monnet]

Triples have no place on a road bike...get a different cassette or compact chain rings.

I still don't get this attitude. I think it's a similar attitude to the one that means TTers in this country get obsessed with having HUGE gears (I've seen 66x11at some meets) only to get kicked as soon as they go over to Europe. Aesthetics are all very well, but you should think more about what suits your riding style.

A triple works fine on my bike. I get over pretty much everything on the 39 (so I don't want at 34 as it would be too low), I ride in the 50 most of the time but the 30 is always there on those long a brutal climbs if I need it.

Nobody in my club has ever sneered at my set up - the lads on the chainy are only bothered about whether you can keep up; the guys on the Saturday runs know that I can make them suffer plenty on the hills or the flat, so they know it works. As I've said before; if a triple was good enough for Indurain, it's good enough for me.

FWIW, I'm not a fan of compacts because my understanding of the ratios and the way I've seen people riding on them indicates that you just end up with a lot of gear changes and chain crossover which you don't get with a triple.

 

[Smokin Joe]

You don't get anymore gearchanges or crossover on a compact that on a standard. It's exactly the same except with a lower range of gears, just choose your ratios to suit your riding needs and they are just as good as anything else.

 

[Chris James]

Because if you need a triple you won't be competitive. Get the miles in and you'll find that you can get up hills without one.

Does the OP actually want to compete? You seem to be assuming that everyone who rides a road bike wants to race.

By the way Jasper, where do you live? Anywhere hilly?