Originally Posted by jyl

Thanks again.

You know, maybe I should ask for a reality check too. At what percent grade do you usually drop into the granny chainring? Or otherwise use a gain ratio below 3.0?

I just want to make sure I'm not planning on wimping out here.

I live in Portland OR (not Florida). There are some hills here, but it's not the Rockies or the Pyrennes. The hill I ride on weekends is 6.5% grade (300 vertical ft) over 0.85 mile, I do laps for 2,000 vertical ft. The steepest sustained climb (that I know of) in the immediate area is 7.5% (870 vertical feet) over 2.0 miles. Assuming that is as steep as this bike will normally see, and that it won't be carrying luggage, does that still sound "triple-worthy"?

Should I save the money and just become a better rider? (Quick estimate: changing my plans to do a triple, all Record, will cost $150 crank + $100 bottom bracket + $??? rear dérailleur + $50 front dérailleur LESS whatever I can save with patience and eBay). Yes, this is an invitation to give me tough love about my legs or lack thereof . . .