Yes, in one of his posts he said he wanted to try SRAM.

Oy ... well, that's a different kettle of fish. I presume SRAM doesn't make a triple setup?

They make triple cranks but not for road shifters. MTB and Hybrid maybe. It is like Di-2 or Campy electronic power shifters. Double only. SO he has to compromise with the bike or transmission if he wants to move into a new Bike that has SRAM or di-2 shifters. That is simply the direction the industry seems to be headed. It has nothing to do with what some of us may like, my nephew likes vinyl records, but that does him no good if he wants the newest album from his favorite group.

True, but the ski boot industry was headed in the direction of rear-entry boots too ... and you know how that turned out.

Electric shifting and a curiosity about SRAM wouldn't pry my hands off of a triple drivetrain, but then again, I'm noted for my luddite tendencies. :D

WiFli is just SRAM's marketing speak for a midcage rear derailleur allowing the use of a 32 tooth cassette. Swapping the RD on a Shimano compact setup for a MTB version gives the same flexibility, even more. Just be sure not to use the newer Dynasis 10 speed MTB RD. They use a different pull ratio than the road systems use.

There are lots of bikes he can get with a Triple I am sure. And if that is what he wants he is free to get one. The point is if he wants SRAM or Electric shifting then he has to look somewhere else. It was just that he stated he was tempted to go with a Compact and some of the bikes he would consider riding come with a compact. And it they are like the BMC Team in SRAM Red not eve the best bike shop can fined one or make one in a triple. But they might be able to pop a mid cage and a 34 or even a 36 on the back if he needs the climbing gear. You may have noticed I have not said anywhere not to get a Triple. I only have said if he get a double he has options so he can climb as many hills as he could with a triple. If he is interested in sticking with a triple there would be no need for the original post, just stick with a triple and forget bikes that don't come with one.

Been using a compact crank (50/34) for two years now and love it - I also have a 34T bail out on my freewheel and use it more than I would like to admit...

If I can't make it at 34-34 I just get off and use my size 12s without any reduction in speed...

If the As Is on the bike on the shop floor needs changes, ask for them at that time..

point of sale changes make the removed parts have trade in value ,

because the seller knows they are new so very re sellable..

didn't read every post....but I'll mention to folks to check the Domane which comes in a triple. I ride a triple Roubaix and don't plan on every going to Apex. I loathe the big gear steps, and in strong headwinds I love being able to drop into my little chain ring, move down to the little cogs and have very nice, small steps to keep my cadence just where I want it. That kind of flexibility is what triples can do. The Apex gearing on a Roubaix was actually a bit LOWER than the triple ! For some folks I'm sure Compact/Apex is a better choice. It's just sad that the triple option is becoming less available. When this Roubaix has to be replaced, my search will be easier I guess....limited to what triples are available to help me up our local 7mile hills and into battle with wind.

You aren't far behind the curve on the whole subject. The OP said pretty much what you mentioned, fewer choices in a bike he wants to ride in a triple. The only addition would be he has wondered about getting SRAM on a Bike he likes. The limited choices seem to have sparked an interest in some new model bikes that come with both a Compact and SRAM, in some cases I dare say Di-2. Suggestions have ranged from, get the dealer to switch the cranks, not going to work with SRAM or Di-2, to simply keep what he has. Others have suggested that if he does go N+1 he can gear the Compact to a point where his low gearing is as good or better than most triples. In either case he has pretty much noticed as you have the choices are different than they were 6 years ago.:D Now you are up to speed.:lol:

I own a bike with the same set up exactly that Gfish has. Compact 50-34 double 105 group, 10 speed, LX rear derailleur. 11-34 cassette.

It works well. Bigger jumps in the bigger cogs, but not bad in the middle and small cogs. I still prefer my 9 speed 11-28 cassette triple. Some people would not notice or care about the different spacing. Moving at speed on flat ground the compact is fine. But, I like the climbing a lot better with closer low gears from the triple.

I have a compact double on my Roubaix (Ultegra 6700 with 50/34 crank and 12/30 cassette). It works well for me around home where our climbs tend to be short and steep. I stay in the big ring most of the time, but when I need the small ring, it tends to be a big change in speed, so the wide front shift is not a problem. It also works well on very flat rides where I'll stay in the big ring all day.

Where it does not work is in gently rolling terrain. Where I could have stayed in the middle ring of a triple most of the time, I have to shift between the front rings frequently to stay in a good gear. And because of the big jump from 34 to 50 or vice versa, I have to do more double shifting than with a standard double or triple.

Shimano Ultegra FC-6703 is a 52-39-30 triple crank set. I run mine with a 12-27.

Sorry for the late reply.....

My bike group – Shimano 5600 105 10speed, 5600 105 front derailleur, FSA Gossamer 50x34 compact.

Added these components for wider ranged gearing;
Rear derailleur – Shimano Deore XT M771 SGS long cage
Cassette – Shimano Deore XT 10-speed SH-CSM771 11-34
Chain – Shimano Ultegra

This gearing really works for me, even wider spacing between the middle cogs. Where the 12-25 had me frequently shifting up or down twice, usually one shift will have me in the right gears. Some of this is because I tolerate a wider range in cadence. Usually between 80 to 90, even 70 to 100 I'll manage OK.

The shifting is smooth and silent, never misses when properly adjusted. I've only had to make small adjustments due to cable stretch.

I have a road double (vintage) 53/39 and live atop one of the steepest hills in the area. Combined with the 14-28 it can be rough but only in the early season getting into shape.

My 39/28 granny is like Jezebel sometimes.

A Rookie's observation:
I'm a flatlander,
I have 27 gears on both my mountain bike and my long wheel base Tour Easy,
I use about 7 gears on each bike,
I like to spin at a modest 60 to 80 rpm, more only on the hardest of climbs,
There are duplicated gears on both so really each bike has about 18 gears,
I'd like to loose one of the three chain rings,
I would not like a single up front because I like the big change I get downshifting just one gear in the front,

http://home.earthlink.net/~mike.sherman/shift.html

5 sped IGH would do , really.. maybe just 3, .. Lo head wind. Hi tailwind. and calm wind..

the other 2 of 5 lower and higher for say an overpass, up and down.

I picked up an Ultegra 12/30 cassette for my Mount Ventoux climb in July. I have it on my Cervelo R5 with a SRAM Red long cage rear der and a 50/34 crankset on the front. I have the cassette on the bike and it is a nice climbing cassette. My power seems better when I hit the steeper switchback in the lower gear because my legs do not load up as much. There is one awkward step in the middle of the cassette where the cadence always seems too high or too low.

I would opt for the compact double and 12/30 cassette but there is nothing wrong with a triple if it is available, the width "Q" factor is okay and it works with the frame.

SaiKaiTai, have you climbed Old La Honda yet? That is a great test hill for gearing combinations.

I have a Giant OCR C2 that came with a triple and i wasalways having to adjust the derailleurs or have my LBS do it, finally i woreout a couple of the chain rings and went with a Ultegra compact 3 years ago with a 11/28cassette and never looked back. I did change to a sram 11/32 cassette last yearmainly for climbs like Balcom Cyn buy i have also found that on some of theclimbs in the Santa Monica Mountains it’s nice to just shift into the 34/32 andtake a little break. I do find that i seem to be missing a needed gear inmiddle so I will probable change back to the 11/28 before the summer is over.

OLH?!? No, that's always scared the bejeebers out of me. I have taken 92 East but I don't think that's quite the same.
I always felt pretty good with the 30/30 I had on my Lemond. To bad it was a 9 speed, I would have brought it over to the Giant

I've never really had a problem with the triple's "Q", nor the triple "Q" plus the external BB "Q" (BBQ? Did I just say that???)
And I've never had adjustment problems with a triple. I set 'em and the tend to stay put. I have to tighten the barrels every once in a while, that's about it. Yes, you have to pop the trim once in a while... Hardly a major effort
The idea of swapping the 30 chainring out for a smaller one -if I found one that fit- is intriguing... but, then, so is a new bike.

Maybe this Saturday, I'll head over to the Sports Basement and check out the Felt (the BMC is a wee bit too pricey for me)
Then... I *should* be training for the Giro de Pacifica on June 29th.

You could always start with a bare frame and build it up with a Campy triple group.

Now you've done it. Now we have to have a three-page debate about whether a Campy triple group is better than a Shimano triple group...

Agree, if you need lower than a 30/30, you'll have to settle for Shimano. :innocent:

I have not had a problem getting exactly what I wanted from the "better" bay area bike shops that included swapping out a double for a triple and the exact cassette I wanted for a new bike that was in stock. Of course, that meant that the equipment was available and fits. I do not keep up with the BB Right / BB30 and etc although it may limit crankset choices. Also, my favorite LBS told me that 11 speed is getting more traction. We discussed electronic shifting and the new D/A electronic shifting only works with 11 speed cassettes. Also, all my 10 speed wheels will have to be converted to 11 speed at a significant cost.

I was on OLH yesterday and there were more cyclists climbing and descending than I have ever seen - all sizes, ages, bikes and gearing. The road has been repaved and it is a joy to climb plus it meanders through the redwoods and may be the best and most scenic climb in the bay area. It is not that difficult and certainly not as difficult as Sierra Road, Mount Tam and many others that feature longer, steeper terrain.

Did a ride today and took the TCR with a triple and a 12/30 cassette. Only one hill and it is daunting and I sailed up it with ease. Took it steady as plenty of riders in the way so you could not get speed up.

As I said to the riders walking that were younger than me and running compacts--"I like my Triple" I like gloating.

Only a couple of years ago and I used a compact 50/34 and 12/27 on this hill and managed it but today with the triple was definitely well within my capabilities. And a few more years ago and I walked with a compact and 12/25.

But on that ride there were fit riders using standard cranks and close ratio cassettes that did the hill easier than me. There were also lightweight MTB's with slicks- 42/32/22 and 11/34 as gearing that were being walked up the hill. Look at your own fitness and see what you require. I know what I can get away with (50/34 and 12/27) on our local hills but "Extra hills" or steeper ones and "I like my triple".