don_lee103

Hello,
If you have read my previous post before, I'm taking back my 30 miles old Trek 1000 to get Trek 1500 because of the Sora components being so uncomfortable.
I was looking forward to get the discovery team colour 1500, but my LBS only has them with Double Crank.
According to what they have said, Trek is eventually going to release the triple version of its bike but I HAVE To pick up my bike on Sept 3rd.
Do you guys think upgrading to a Triple Crank matters? I'm trying to be cautious because I wont be upgrading anytime soon (5-6 years)
Also, do you think paying $270 for the 400kms old Bontrager Race Lite Wheelset is a good deal?
Thanks for your help.
Don

ManBearPig

That would be downgrading. Be happy that bike is available in a double. Usually you have to spend a lot more to get a double.

If they ever fix the search function this forum you can read a zillion threads on double vs. triple.

manutd

Probably the biggest reason I chose my Specialized Allez Elite over the Trek 1500 was that I couldn't get the Trek in a double in my area, only triple....The double isn't listed on Trek's website either.

If I were you, I'd jump at the Trek 1500 in a double and in discovery blue....

Everything I've been told is that going with a triple would be a downgrade (unless you live in a very hilly area....)

JL

don_lee103

I dont get it.. why is it downgrading?

ManBearPig

Again, too bad the search function is down.

The reason is not intuitive, so don't worry. Basically, they are heavier and less precise in shifting, in exchange for very little practical benefit. You will rarely need that tiny little gear. I also think triple is probably harder to clean.

manutd

I was told that 'no one races with a triple, they'd get laughed at'....but that being said, if you don't want to race and you live in a very hilly area and want to spin some of those very big hills a triple would come in handy....

but yeah, heavier and little use is what my LBS told me..

JL

voltman

Where are you from? Hills? Flat?

don_lee103

Well, I live along the beach.. Most like bumps occasionally but I go up the hills sometimes..
I guess its not worth my time to wait then. I asked them if i can upgrade to the triple crank.
Thanks for all your help.
Don

jschen

Depends on where you ride and how strong a rider you are. Having a wide range of gears isn't a bad thing. And if you ever need really low gears, it's far better to be spinning a granny gear than to be walking. As a percentage of total bike + rider weight, the weight penalty is very small. And a well tuned triple will shift cleanly enough. Not as cleanly as a double, but more than good enough.

bigbossman 

It's not - it's an upgrade. The weight difference is negligible, and triples shift just fine. If you have any real climbing to do the little gear may come in very handy one day. The rest of the time you can use the middle and big rings. Always better to have it and not need it, than th other way around - especially if there is nor real disadvantage to having it.

The reason I bought an OCR over a TCR is because the OCR had a triple. After 4 trips up Mt Diablo, I couldn't be happier with my decision.

Not all of us are 20 year old racers in flatland country.........

shakeNbake

+1

Seriously, it depends on where you live and your fitness level.

The notion of downgrade/upgrade is just silly. It's the question of whether you need it or not.

And with proper adjustment, shifting should be no problem. Mine shifts fine, and it's a Sora.

dta95b7r

"triples are for old men and the out of shape" lbs employee

HWS

+2

fmw

Almost every amateur rider will do better with a triple. I've explained the reasons many, many times on this forum and won't waste the time to do it again. Perhaps I'll publish an article on one of my web sites and just put in a link to it. Those who disagree are either not experienced with triples, not experienced with life (i.e. teenagers) or have severe hangups about what others think of them (teenagers.)

badkarma

Seeing how it's pretty flat where you live, I think you'd be fine on the double. I'd say get the double, and then if you really dislike it, then swap it out for a triple. Perhaps test ride the double first to make sure the low gears are easy enough for you?

damage24

I started out with a triple and was glad I had it at times. But as I got better I used it less and less and got to the point where I tried to avoid using it and push through. My new bike is a double and I don't miss the granny gear at all, but I also live in a relatively flat area.

DrPete 

I race with a triple right now and nobody laughs at me, especially when I beat them to the finish line.

The advantage of a triple is just more gears at the low end, even more than with a compact double. The high end with the compact drivetrain is about the same, but you still get 2-3 extra low gears with the triple.

If it makes your riding more enjoyable to spin a faster cadence up steeper hills, go triple, and those LBS employees can mash their too-big gears and be proud of themselves. I think a lot of LBS employees talk a bigger game than they ride anyway.

Kenal0

Depends on your riding style and conditions but if you take the double, you can change cassettes and chainrings to make it more tailored to your riding needs. You can always go to a compact in the future also.
I perfer a double and adjust gearing my riding conditions.
Kenal0

DataJunkie

Lately I have been wondering what would be an appropriate choice in Colorado. Would someone seriously pick a double for riding in the rockies? My latest quandry related to my future bike build.

maximum01

unless you're doing loaded touring i personally think a triple is a waste of time. i live in very hilly area and climb some incredibly steep hills during long rides.....i've never felt the need for a triple to get me up these tough climbs.

ok, i can't climb a steep hill spinning the cranks at 80 cadence but why would i want to? i want to get up the hills at a decent speed.

spiderbike

I live in a hilly area and never use the granny...get really close sometimes but don't like the way it feels to shift to the granny and away from the granny...

I have to tune the front derailer more on the triple than friends that have a double...

I think ideally i would have a compact to be able to get a few gears lower on some hills and not have the shifting problems that a triple has...

can't go wrong if your a newbie, you probably wont notice any difference till its to late

NuckingFuts

+10!!
I've got a triple, and if you have any significant hils, you'll be thanking the stars for that 3rd chain-ring. Ignore those nay-sayers... you'll be at the top while they'll be huffin' behind you struggling to chase you

caligurl

+ 1,000!

i got a triple DURA-ACE put on my full carbon bike! and guess what... it cost me MORE money to do so.... i got a triple cuz i like to do big climbing rides... mine shifts just fine (but i have a good lbs with a great mechanic!)

i ride for FUN... i'm NOT a racer....

get what works for YOU and don't listen to the racer-wannabes!

DataJunkie

Well, that settles it. My new build will have a triple.
I was having a hard time imagining riding the lovely grades in the rockies on a double.
Now if I can ever decide on a frame....

rknj

Start with a triple, and when you realize you no longer use the small ring on any of your rides switch to a double. I'm at about that point with my triple, but I figure I'll just keep it the way it is and spring for a new bike in another year or so with a double, or save some rack space and pick up a Soloist to get myself a new road bike and tri bike at the same time. It never hurts to have a bike with a triple lying around for those Mt Washington climbs.