Cyclocross - CX with a triple

I understand that CX race bikes usually have double rings. I'm looking at buying a bike for the following priorities:

definitely commuting
likely racing
hopefully touring

the two bikes in contention have a double and a triple. Obviously the triple can do it all but will it be a disadvantage for racing? Why or why not?

I'm guessing the racers don't run triples because they don't really need the granny gear-they are off the bike before they would ever use it. I suppose you could argue that the chainline is better with a double, but this is fairly insignificant, IMO. I doubt that the extra 100 grams gained from using a triple is really going to cost you the race. If you want your bike to do it all, go with the triple.

CX is pretty traditional. I think many people are scared to break the mold. Go with what works, not with what everyone else is riding.

triples are a real pain in really muddy [read: classic cyclo-cross] conditions. you are almost guaranteed to (a) drop your chain (b) jam your chain (c) throw you chain with a triple. a lot of guys even run singles in races because of front shifting problems.

moreover, a triple in a race situation is ABSOLUTELY USELESS. got that? it's ABSOLUTELY USELESS. you're probably better off running any hill that requires a gear lower than, say, 38x27.

i agree. a triple in cx racing is useless. you're asking for a mechanical in any conditions, dry or wet. depending on where you live (ie. if its hilly or not) you probably wont need a small ring for commuting either. as for touring, this is up for debate, but a small ring can come in handy if you are hauling heavy panniers in a stiff wind going uphill...

I used to ride a CX bike as my commuter, and I had it set up with just a single front chainring, which I actually think is probably ideal for most moderate commuting (I live and work in San Francisco - my commute is all city streets with moderate to steep hills. It ran a 39 chainring with a 12-25 8-speed cassette and I felt that was all I needed).

It had a double when I bought it, but I took it off when I realized I never ever used the 50-tooth chainring. I just took a few links off the chain to make sure I never dropped it on the 12 tooth cog.

I also rode it offroad with the same 1x8 setup - I think it's great, and there's no worries about rubbing the chain against the front derailleur cage in any combinations, because there ISN'T any front deraileur :) . For loaded touring, I'd definitely go with a triple though.

If you are looking to buy a bike, I suggest you take a look at the Kona Jake , fills most of your needs based upon wath I read!

You might want to send a PM to RonH. He as a 2005 Nova he uses for commuting. There are others as well, but they probably haunt the Commuting Forum more than this one. Many commuters ride CX bikes, and that forum is 5-10x more active than this one.

For racing, you can always tighten the adjustment screw on your front deraileur, and make it into a double. Plus, if you do bail your chain, it will likely end up on the granny, not jammed in between your crank and frame.

I've been racing an old touring bike for years. It's a triple that I just take the inner and outter rings off of for racing then put the rings back on for touring. A single 42 chainring up front works great for me. Just lower the FD right over everything for a chain guard. My girlfriend got a Poprad w/ a triple for the same reasons you did and it works out just fine.

I'm guessing the racers don't run triples because they don't really need the granny gear-they are off the bike before they would ever use it. I suppose you could argue that the chainline is better with a double, but this is fairly insignificant, IMO. I doubt that the extra 100 grams gained from using a triple is really going to cost you the race. If you want your bike to do it all, go with the triple.

CX is pretty traditional. I think many people are scared to break the mold. Go with what works, not with what everyone else is riding.

If what you'er after is an all'rounder then this post says it all, mate. :D :D

I've raced cross on a Seven with a triple (it was a test bike). Didn't take it through heavy mud, but I certainly used all three rings-big ringing pavement and downhill sections, using the middle for hard pack, and spinning the granny in soggy grass and high resistance spots. was actually quite a nice setup, and if I hadn't been drunk on the line I willing to bet it would've quite awesome.

I have a triple cross bike- you can and do drop your chain more frequently in races than you would on a double- often because you forget which ring you're in (middle or large?). The easy solution is to simply block your front derailleur to not shift all the way over to the granny, and install a third eye to prevent dropping the chain. The third eye comes off easily for your touring/triple ring adventures.

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=13686