Road Cycling - Another Cassette question

This information probably lies somewhere out in the forums, but I think it's too specific to find. Anyway, here goes the question: Is the following argument valid to justify using a triple chainring: "With a triple, you can have a shorter cassette range, and therefore you can choose the optimum cadence at which you want to ride". Thanks guys

Is the following argument valid to justify using a triple chainring: "With a triple, you can have a shorter cassette range, and therefore you can choose the optimum cadence at which you want to ride".Heck, yeah! Anything can be rationalized but that doesn't make it right.

Steve "3x9" E.

hey!! my favorite subject!! GEARING!!!!!

since most triple cranksets that i know of come stock with 52/42/30 or 32, i'd be more inclined to get a wider cassette range for the fact that i'd only want to use the granny as a bail out gear for really long, really steep hills. granted, i could stick with my 13-23 cassette, and try to grind my way up the hills with a 42/23, but that wouldn't leave much left over energy-wise for longer trips and crap like that...be my guest if you want to use a triple with a 12-21 cassette, but unless your legs are made of iron, you won't be getting much exercise going up the hills.

maybe i'm only saying that because i'm thinking about setting my bike up for more distance-oriented riding, rather than short jaunts around town or whatever...my current crankset has 'cross gearing (48/38), and that, combined with the 13-23 in the rear gets me most places...but, i've been noticing the want for bigger gears for going down hill, and smaller gears for going up, and a better mid-range for just cruising along on the flats, so i think i'm gonna get a nice triple with the 52/42/30 rings, and a sweet 13-27 or cassette out back. as long as there are 15 and 16T cogs back there, i'll be just fine. 13,14,15,16,17,19,21,23,25,27. mmm....yeah, that sounds great to me, especially for all-day rides...or maybe i'll spring for the dura ace triple with it's 53/39/30 rings...or just get an ultegra and swap out the rings...

maybe i'm only saying that because i'm thinking about setting my bike up for more distance-oriented riding, rather than short jaunts around town or whatever...my current crankset has 'cross gearing (48/38), and that, combined with the 13-23 in the rear gets me most places...but, i've been noticing the want for bigger gears for going down hill, and smaller gears for going up, and a better mid-range for just cruising along on the flats, so i think i'm gonna get a nice triple with the 52/42/30 rings, and a sweet 13-27 or cassette out back. as long as there are 15 and 16T cogs back there, i'll be just fine. 13,14,15,16,17,19,21,23,25,27. mmm....yeah, that sounds great to me, especially for all-day rides...or maybe i'll spring for the dura ace triple with it's 53/39/30 rings...or just get an ultegra and swap out the rings...

Get a 52/38 chainset and an 11-32 cassette in back. That'll get you the range you need as long as the rear derailer can handle the tooth capacity and cassette size (I'd recommend an XT rear derailer).

A 30x21 (37.7 inches) combination is roughly equivalent to a 39x27 (38.1), so yes, you can get closer gear spacing (more optimal cadence) if you go this route. I'm currently running 9-speed 30/42/52 x 13-26 and am thinking about getting a cassette with an 11-21 or 23 range. This would give me low enough gears while providing small steps between the gears. Of course, this would mean that I might actually have to use the small chainring on a fairly regular basis. :eek:

Get a 52/38 chainset and an 11-32 cassette in back. That'll get you the range you need as long as the rear derailer can handle the tooth capacity and cassette size (I'd recommend an XT rear derailer).

ugh...XT derailleur is a no-go on my pinarello. hell, i have enough of a problem with myself for even considering a triple set-up, just because of the long-cage RD (i think they're ugly). but if that's what works, then that's what works... :)

the problem i'm having with the current set-up is actually that the 38 is a bit too light in most situations, so i think i could stand to pick up a tooth or 4 in the front. i could just replace the rings on my existing crank, and get a wider cassette, but...A) i want new stuff and i think i can afford it and B) i'd like to have the triple available "just in case." it's better to have and not need, than need and not have.

eh, i need to actually ride the damn bike more, then i'll be able to figure out exactly what i need, or don't need...lately i've just been riding my fixies to and from work. hmm...maybe one of these nights, i'll go for a late night run up into the hills...

A 30x21 (37.7 inches) combination is roughly equivalent to a 39x27 (38.1), so yes, you can get closer gear spacing (more optimal cadence) if you go this route. I'm currently running 9-speed 30/42/52 x 13-26 and am thinking about getting a cassette with an 11-21 or 23 range. This would give me low enough gears while providing small steps between the gears. Of course, this would mean that I might actually have to use the small chainring on a fairly regular basis. :eek:

but then that sort of defeats the purpose of using the small ring for a bail-out gear, doesn't it? i guess it's all about what each person wants, but that seems a bit silly to use the 30T with a 21 to get the same gearing as a 39x27...why not just use a 39X27 and still have the triple there in case that's not enough? if you're using an 11-23 cassette with a triple, and you need to be in the 30X21, you've only got one more cog to go to if you need it, and on a mean hill, those 2 teeth in the rear don't do nearly as much as you'd like them to. if i had a 53/39/30 triple, with a 13-27 cassette, and i was about to bonk in the 39/27, i could drop into the 30 and have like, 2 or 3 much easier gears to get me through it. not that, at age 23, and in pretty good shape, i couldn't get up a hill in 39X27, but it's nice to have the option...especially if it's at the end of a 10 hour, 70 mile day and your legs are filled with burning.

eh, it's your bike, do what you like. hell, you can even sit in the saddle and touch the ground with your toes if you want, and the bike fashion police won't come after you! ;)

True about riding more... after a few good hill workout rides, you'd be surprise how much easier the hill gets even with only a 39/25. Even with my double and with the 25t cog available, I want to "save" that last gear and try to make it up most hills in 39/23.

... with a 13-27 cassette, and i was about to bonk in the 39/27, ...

Ah, there's the trick. Make sure you're hydrated and fueled enough to not bonk. Your engine needs fuel and if it's not there, even a triple won't help much.

...why not just use a 39X27 and still have the triple there in case that's not enough?
Well, because I already have a 30/42/52 crankset. It's a lot cheaper to change cassettes than to change cranks and I'll probably need to replace the cassettes soon anyway. These'd be my "go fast" wheels. I've got a set of Mavic OpenPros w/Record hubs and a 13-26 cogset that I could throw on if I was worried about needing really low gears.

find the lowest gear ratio you need

i have a 46/36/26(?) front and a 11-24 rear... i found that even on my most difficult rides, i havent needed to go lower than 36/21 (1.7)... and i still have the 36-24 for bailout without too much cross-chaining... making the small ring virtually useless

i suppose if i had a 53-39 double, all i need is a 12-25 or 12-26 rear and i'd do alright

its not about the range you have... its about having a range that you actually need

I'm here to tell you that heaven resides in the following combination ... 53/42/30 up front with 13-23 in the back. As mentioned, the spacing is fantastic and allows for incremental increases or decreases in effort while providing enough bail on the low end and plenty of gear for high-speed decents (I have to stop pedaling at around 40MPH). Furthermore, you're never guessing at the next resistence level when you shift.

Do it, you won't regret it.

-mark

Ah, there's the trick. Make sure you're hydrated and fueled enough to not bonk. Your engine needs fuel and if it's not there, even a triple won't help much.

hmm...maybe i used the wrong word?? i dunno. i've never "run out of fuel," but i have run out of leg power...meaning, i had eaten plenty of food and drank plenty of water, but my legs just wouldn't have anymore of that whole pedalling up stupidly steep and long hills thing...lungs too. in that case, i'd want the 30 there to drop down to. but yeah....being able to ride more would help a lot...i'd love it if i could just get out to do like, 2 hours of flat...

Well, because I already have a 30/42/52 crankset. It's a lot cheaper to change cassettes than to change cranks and I'll probably need to replace the cassettes soon anyway. These'd be my "go fast" wheels. I've got a set of Mavic OpenPros w/Record hubs and a 13-26 cogset that I could throw on if I was worried about needing really low gears.

it'd cost about the same to change chainrings as it would to change cassettes...it might even be cheaper, depending on which chainring you got. but since you already have a 13-26 cassette, i guess it's a moot point...