dave35

Assuming he still wants a lower gear, neither option is significantly more complicated than installing a modern road triple and Tiagra triple front shifter. Option 1) is much, much easier. Of course, finding a similar bike with a triple is still the best option.

EDIT: Not sure if Tiagra comes in discrete double/triple versions; if not, the triple conversion might be easier than anticipated.

LarDasse74

I checked on the Shimano website and there is only one Tiagra brifter available and it is for double or triple. I would guess you just pretend the last click is not there and set a double derailleur to shift from small to big when the shifter clicks from small to middle.

davidad

I seriously doubt that triples will go away. You can't get a 16 to 20 inch gear with a 34t front ring.

DCB0

I don't know about 2013, but Ultegra is still available in triple chainrings for 2012. You are right - if you don't want to sacrifice versatility for the appearance of 'raciness,' then a triple is the way to go. Sram is still more of a niche manufacturer for road bike parts - racers and wannabes only... shimano makes parts for everyone. THe fact that Campagnolo is offering triple cranksets should clue us all in to the reality - a triple chainring is useful, and people want them.

Trifides

Hi all

Thank you for all your considered and detailed replies, it was really helpful to get replies from the cyclists perspective. In the end I've decided to put a few more Euro into the bike and buy a slightly higher level version with a triple, that seems to be the smartest option as a newbie. Otherwise I'm really not going to understand what I've got until I put it to the test, which will be too late.

I think this thread will be useful for some other people judging by the number of searches on this topic on the web!

Camilo

You made absolutely the correct decision - you got what you want. It cost a little more, but you'll enjoy the gears every time you ride and probably forget the price the first or second time you enjoy the ride!

I ride both a compact double and a triple. I like both. But, it's a real shame that bike shops actually try to convince people that a compact double can easily provide all the gearing everyone will ever need - it's just not true. Good quality, well tuned triples shift quickly and flawlessly, provide both tighter gear jumps and a broader shifting range, and generally require less front shifting all in all.

Compact doubles are cheaper to market (fewer parts to design, manufacture and sell), are probably lighter, and give people who need low gears the illusion that they don't.