Originally Posted by NomadVW
I just went from the FSA triple to the 53x39 double. I actually used the granny ring so little, I had moved to an 12x23 9s cassette just to make the granny useful. Now I'll be on the ultegra groupset 53x39 with a 12x25 10s. So, by doing the switch, I basically lost the 30x21 and 30x23 gears. Everything else was comparable.
If you want to know if you need the lower gearing, try what I did and spend some money on the cassette change first. When I did it, I went out and attacked some of our 14-15% grades just to confirm what I suspected. I was only using the granny as a "bail out" for pain tolerance. When I didn't have the extra gearing, I didn't use it and still got over the hills. A little more tired maybe? But, its forcing me to train harder now.
On a side note, I never have been happy with the way my 105 FD/FSA triple shifted. It's always been slightly finicky. I pick up my bike tomorrow with the new ultegra double/10s drivetrain tomorrow and I'm stoked.
VW
I couldn't have said it better myself. I went through the exact same thing, and you know what? I am so much happier with my 53x39 than I was with my triple.
I was schmoozing around on-line (read: not working and dreaming of the outdoors) and found an Ultegra on sale at nashbar.com. I could care less about weight/more gears/AllThatCrapEveryoneArguesAboutBetweenTripleandDouble and had never ridden a double, but comm'on... 65% off?!? I couldn't pass it up.
I dropped that bad boy on and BAM! I was off. My legs were burning for a bit, but since I didn't have that crutch...hhmmpphh... I mean third ring... to bad for me. I cranked it out and eventually got to the top.
Now, about a month or so later, I don't even think about the granny.
No burn.
Bigger legs.
Faster avg. with the 53
= me a better rider.