I am fairly new to cycling (and to this site). I recently purchased a used 2004 Specialized Roubaix road bike with full Shimano 105 9-speed, triple, set up. The left shifter has been sticking and I have been thinking of upgrading. A friend gave me his used Dura Ace shifters (also 2004) but they are for a 9-speed double. Three questions:
1. What are advantages / disadvantages of a triple vs double?
2. What all is involved in making the change? A new double crankset and front derailleur?
I am assuming I would not have to change anything on the rear 9-speed 105 cassette?
3. Do I lose / gain value in the bike as a result (from a resale stand point)?

Thanks... you all have been very helpful in answering previous questions / concerns I have.


Newbie

Given the same cassette, triples give you more gears at the low end. Or you can use a more tightly-spaced cassette with a triple and have the same range of gears as on a double, but with smaller changes between the gears. Doubles are perceived to be cooler, more racy, and simplify front shifting. Triples are more versatile and weigh less than 100 grams more.

You'd need to change the crankset and the bottom bracket. Changing the front derailleur would be optional, your old one will probably work fine. Nothing needs to be changed at the rear (again, you could change the rear derailleur to one with a shorter cage, but there wouldn't really be any point/benefit).

When buying a new bike, some models cost about $50 or $100 more for the triple version compared to the double version, but often they are the same price. For resale, I doubt it would matter - some people would not want to buy it if it has a triple on there, some people would not want to buy it if it has a double on there. If you sold it with the new double setup plus the old parts to convert it back to a triple, it might increase the value, but not by much.

If you're new to cycling (and not SuperMan or the Flash), stick with the triple. You'll need it.

Sell the DA shifters for a pretty penny (nice friend!) and buy a replacement shifter. First, though, try stripping down the old one and soaking it overnight in WD-40 to flush out the accumulated gunk. That won't be a permanent repair (there is no permanent repair), but it might buy you a year or so. DO NOT let them talk you out of the triple, at least not yet.

Besides, switching from a triple to a double is not free or even cheap. You'd be spending more $$ than you supposedly save from the "free" shifters.

1. Advantage of a double is that you can run a straighter chain line (you dont cross chain as badly in a wider gear range.) In other words, your components will run smoother longer, with less "click click" when pedaling.
2. Yes you will need a new crankset and front derailleur, and possibly (and likely) a bottom bracket.
3. If the crank is a true upgrade, a better crank, then yes you have apprecieated the bike. However sometimes its nice to resell a bike as "stock"

NOT TRUE! With the triple the middle ring is on perfect chainline, and the outer rings are closer to the cogs you tend to use with them.

Once you learn how to shift it, there is less cross-chaining with a triple.

The triple will get you up steeper hills.
The Dura-Ace double will shift more smoothly with fewer adjustments needed and will have more resale value because of the name. The D-A double is lighter.
Your decision should depend on where you plan to ride, hills, mountains, or flats.

Al

As alway, excellent feedback gang. Thanks for taking the time to educate me on this.
I think I will keep the triple for now until I fully understand where / how I will be riding. I will hold onto the DA's for awhile, just in case.
Am soaking my 105 left shifter in WD 40 as we speak.

+17 to the shifter hose out. Empty a can of wd40 into it, follow with Triflow. I'm betting it will work fine thereafter.

As to the switch to double, you can see that there are definite opinions out there. Triples have poor self-image, but that small ring sure is handy on occasion.

I am going from a fsa compact double to dura ace triple. I have come to the realization that if I want to be riding my bike in my 60s I need to treat my knees with a little more respect.

I am 61 and live in hilly Tennessee. I am lucky to still be riding and Triple is the name of the game for me. I am even running a 32 tooth rear cog and there are several hills that tax me to the limits. The main roads are not bad but the side roads have some steeeeep hills. I will never again be able to ride a double here at home. I cherish my granny's.

That's a mixed blessing though- the triple will have kinder gear ratios but a higher Q-ratio. The wider stance of the triple puts more lateral stress on you knee. Some people that becomes an issue, others not.

Yeah .. . it would be nice to see lower Q triples. I think a DA triple is about the same 156mm Q as a TA Zephyr/Carmina , which are the lowest of recent make. (I don't count the Cyclotourist model, as it's tiny BCD make the rings flex too much)

The doubles these days are even wide. The Sugino AT from the 80's has Q of about 150mm for the triple. The lowest double today is about 147mm.

I don't have issues with any of these. . . but I would with your average "wide berth" mtb crank these days. The exception is Surly's Mr. Whirly. Ironically, it's the lowest Q of them all, as they actually offer 3 different spindle lengths. You can get it as low as 161mm with the 68mm spindle. It uses a 47.5mm chainline though. However, you can mover one spacer from the R side to left, and get it to 45mm. Your arm will be 2.5mm further away for the CS. No biggie really. This is confirmed to work by Surly, and they measured the crank upon request, so I assume it's accurate. The cool thing about the Mr. Whirly is it is offered in a 110/58 BCD, for those that need a really low gear!

Hey, this may be the first valid reason to prefer a double that I've heard.

Sheldon's BB Sizes page lists only one comparable instance of double vs. triple Q for Shimano: 9-speed Ultegra. Double is 147, triple is 156. That's a shade over 1/4", and about a 6% increase. That doesn't sound to me like much of a difference - or at least not enough to outweigh the advantages of a triple - but then I don't have bad knees.

Yah, but it depends on WHAT knee issue you have. For IT band issues (and, sadly, I know) you want the wider stance of the triple, not to mention to lower gearing....

Sorry to bring back this thread. All I would have to do to the deraileur is change the high and low screws?