Road Cycling - Triple on a Fuji Marseilles?

I'm hot to buy a steel racing bike to supplement my other road bikes, which are beefier touring or cyclocross type models used primarily for commuting and day trips.

I want the bike for solo training rides, rather than racing or club rides. Something that I can ride really hard for 50 miles once a week, to balance off the more controlled daily commutes.

But I know from experience that there are hills around here that I'll never be able to climb with a 39-tooth chainring, even if I had a 12-27 cassette, even on a really light bike. And at 51, I'm probably not going to get a lot stronger at climbing than I am right now. I'm also not very confident running 700x23c tires at my weight (210 lbs.).

My LBS has a 2002 Fuji Marseilles that fits me perfectly and rides like a dream. It's $1050, which is a pretty good price. It has a full carbon fork, double-butted 853 cro-mo frame, and Ritchey racing wheels (Zero System OCR, bladed spokes).

He's willing to swap in an Ultegra triple and 12-27 cassette, and 700x28c tires for just the price difference in the components. This seems nearly irresistable to me, so I'll probably end up doing it.

But will I be wasting this frame and fork by putting fatter tires and a triple on it? Will it compromise the bike's performance other than the obvious impact of weight and increased rolling resistance? Would a cheaper bike do me just as well given how I plan to "water down" its performance?

Or should I just stop second-guessing myself and go for it?

RichC

You're kidding yourself.It's just an 853 frame.No Tour contender.Better bikes have triples.Consider 25mm tires and 'just do it'.

I agree with Pokey. The weight difference is minor, and the triple will help you climb some really tough hills. I also concur with the 700x25 tires. Again very little weight diff and the plus's of better ride, better tire mileage and better resistant to flats. The LBS sounds like a nice guy that's trying to help you get a better bike. Go for it!

RichC -

I am 52 yrs old a run a triple setup with no regrets. You may not have to use it often but you will certainly appreciate it at those times you need it.

The weight of the extra chainring will be somewhat offset by the reduced weight of running a smaller cassette. You're talking about maybe one-quarter lb. or less weight penalty.

Go for it!

Go for it! Better to "water down" the performance of a good bike than a cheaper one!:D

Does the bike have clearance for 28mm tyres? There is a huge variation is the real size of this designation, so try fitting before you buy.
25/28mm and a triple on a quality frame is typical of a modern Audax/day-touring bike, used to ride fast centuries and for winter riding. It is a sound concept.