Anybody out there still riding a triple?

JTE83

I decided to keep the 105 10 triple on my 07 Trek Pilot 2.1 spa. Really needed it when I hit a steep inlcine at 8 mph on the middle ring and large cog. On a racing or workout bike, I'd prefer a compact. On a commuter bike - I'd live with a triple.

geoinmillbrook

All of our road bikes have triples, the 'cross bikes have compacts. I think it depends on where you frequently ride. We have lots of hills. I was coasting down one yesterday and got up to 43.8 mph , I couldn't pedal fast enough to go any faster going up I average 5-6 mph at the steepest parts , don't know what the grades are but they are tough.
Compacts are a good compromise I think.

George

rowskein

I ride a triple,

Just wondering is the only reason for going with a compact is to have two rings at the front so nobody laughs at you for having a "Granny" ring?

I've had a few snorts for having a triple on my best bike but it's perfect for my kind of riding so they can snort! You still get jibes for the people riding compacts as well! My Sister rides a compact with a competative bunch, the only real downside seems to be bigger steps between gears!

I don't see any reason to change if you already have a triple, i just never use the granny ring unless i've decided to cycle over the lecht/west coast with 25%+ hills or go on holiday in the alps maybe! It's nice having the option after 100 miles and some big climbs to go!

AngryPenguin

Im in the UK near the edge of Wales so there are some really nice hills round here. The only disadvantage is that you cant go anywhere without finding a hill, even our TT routes hae got big hills in them as its not possible to find 10 miles of flat road

So yes I use my granny ring and im proud of it.

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graf zeppelin

Never found the need for a triple. I live in the foothills of the Adirondack's and can easily accomplish some altitude gain riding right out of my door. I've got two bikes, one compact and one 53/39. Mostly I ride the 53/39 and when I am not at the weight I like to be (ie, this year lol) I simply ride the 53/39 and dont ride the more serious routes until later in the season. The compact I ride only on fairly long (60+ miles) fairly hilly (2500ft+ gain) rides, which I tend to avoid earlier in the season anyway.

NOT that there is ANYTHING wrong with a triple. I do have a compact and I do use it. Just sharing what I do and my tendencies.

kdelong

I lived in Saratoga Springs in the summer of 1979. We rented a small cottage that was behind the big white house on the corner of Broadway and Lincoln. From what I hear, the cottage is no longer there.

You are right about gaining altitude right out the door. We used to ride up to Lake George on weekends and there were some nice climbs on the way. I don't remember what chainrings and cogs I had on my bike back then, but I do remember that it was more of a loaded touring setup than a speed setup.

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graf zeppelin

I know the house you mean. That's still there. I'll have to check on the cottage and let you know. Not sure myself. Hope you had a good stay. Sounds like it.

Love the rides up to Lake George or Sacandaga. Hills aplenty up that way and you can hit West Mountain Road or Prospect Mountain along the way if you like. Good stuff. Beautifully scenic too. If you head out instead towards Saratoga Lake there's all kinds of nice rollers through farm country. I've lived a few places, but none so far that I've had such varied terrain options right out the front door. If/when I move again that'll certainly be among the criteria.

I like the compact setup when I am in pretty good shape and I'm going out fairly far with a lot of hills. I dont like to train on it earlier in the season though. Its a different kind of ride due the cadence change, so other times I'll just take the standard double out there and suffer a bit if it comes to that. Never really had a desire to put a triple on a bike, but it certainly offers more flexibility.

Caden

Here in Austin, TX plenty of road bikes are sold with triples. It is HILLY here! I laugh when I hear some heavy rider talking about how he's going to move to a double for the weight savings. I know there are other reasons for doubles besides weight, but seriously..

I'd rather complete a 100+ degree century riding uphill into the sun with my granny available just in case than have to get on the bus at 60 miles or *walk* my bike up the hill.

Besides, how else besides a triple would I tow my son in the burleigh uphill?

lbraasch

1 really good gear is all you need. My commuter is a fixie. When my commute was all flats, it was 40/14, and now with a large hill in my way, I re-geared to 40/16, and am doing fine. I regularly pass up geared bicyclist attempting to spin their heart away up the incline.

For the record, my road bike is a double. In my opinion, the people who swap out to compact crank sets are people who don't use the full extent of their granny gear, and thus paired with a 12-27 cassette have all the gears they need and will use. It's pretty ridiculous how quickly people jump to thinking they need a triple. Shifters get along with a double far better than they do a triple.

artemidorus

If you aren't worried about doing your knees in.

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