Double and Triple – Pride vs Common Sense??
04-20-05, 10:27 AM
#26
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Originally Posted by Corsaire
Perhaps you can really ride a double and have "fresh" legs at the end of the ride, who cares! maddog
The discussion was about those who can't handle it and still use it.
Corsaire
The discussion was about those who can't handle it and still use it.
Corsaire
You posted an example that supported your use of a triple, I posted about my experience using a double. One size does not fit all. Personally, I started out with a triple in ’89 and found that I rarely used the little ring after riding several thousand miles. YMMV
Originally Posted by Corsaire
By the way, you'll burst out a vein if you keep pushing like that, in your avatar.
-murray
04-20-05, 10:29 AM
#27
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Sorry, "release", was meant in the (hopefully humerous) context of signing a release stating that I absolve the seller (LBS) from liability in the event I really didn't have the ability to effectively use a double.
04-20-05, 10:29 AM
#28
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Personally I have never really hadd to use less than a 23 on almost anything. When I first went to a double I went to that cassette bacause it was like a safety blanket. Now I have a 23 and if I can not climb it in a 23 or sprint up it then I am not interested in climbing it (really anything over about 12 percent or 8 percent for an appriciable about of time...)
Most club riders do not need a double, actually many I ride with have triples. The guys who ride fast, race, etc they have doubles. Doubles just work better, are cleaner, smoother. I would run a double just for the ease of going between the small and big ring... but that is just me
Most club riders do not need a double, actually many I ride with have triples. The guys who ride fast, race, etc they have doubles. Doubles just work better, are cleaner, smoother. I would run a double just for the ease of going between the small and big ring... but that is just me
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04-20-05, 10:55 AM
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My bike came with a double, and when I bought it, I hadn't read these forums enough to know that I should worry about it. I haven't encountered too many hills I couldn't make it up (although I went up one Sunday at about 3 MPH!) and I haven't gone out of my way seeking big hills. I think I am leaning towards a 12-27 cassette if I need more low end, unless I move to Colorado in which case I'd be tempted by a compact.
I don't think it's pride - I just don't have enough experience to make an informed judgement.
I don't think it's pride - I just don't have enough experience to make an informed judgement.
04-20-05, 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Corsaire
...So, I’ve come to realize the double set-up in most cases is just a pride thing.
Corsaire J
Corsaire J
04-20-05, 11:16 AM
#31
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Originally Posted by Corsaire
I’ve been wondering about this for a while. I’ve been noticing that most of the riders I know by now that I talk to, ride with in the club, some racers among them, who have a Double are not really strong enough for this set-up. I could count them with the fingers of one hand those riders who really “deserve” to have a double. I, personally, shamelessly have a triple (ride at the B* level by now). One example comes to hand, the other day we went on a very hilly ride where all the riders I was with, w/o exception (well me, the only triple) had a double. I was like saying to myself: “what did I get myself into, these guys look very strong and all have doubles, I’m going to get dropped!”
But then again I thought it’s not a race so I’ll just stick to my rhythm and tempo on the up hills where some were steep and long by the way. The whole ride was 55 miles or so.
Obviously, most of the riders once on the up hills went strong, cranking up big time, they surged ahead about 82 yards, I kept my rhythm, I was third from the last rider in most of the hills, but the funny thing was that by mile 35 or so most of these “double, tough riders” were spent big time, the only rider who “lived up to his double” started hammering at 18mph average for the last 10 or so last miles and I was the only one who pretty much kept up with him, right behind him, the others were lagging behind and only one was hanging on for dear life but got dropped at the end , the very last few miles.
So, I’ve come to realize the double set-up in most cases is just a pride thing.
Corsaire J
But then again I thought it’s not a race so I’ll just stick to my rhythm and tempo on the up hills where some were steep and long by the way. The whole ride was 55 miles or so.
Obviously, most of the riders once on the up hills went strong, cranking up big time, they surged ahead about 82 yards, I kept my rhythm, I was third from the last rider in most of the hills, but the funny thing was that by mile 35 or so most of these “double, tough riders” were spent big time, the only rider who “lived up to his double” started hammering at 18mph average for the last 10 or so last miles and I was the only one who pretty much kept up with him, right behind him, the others were lagging behind and only one was hanging on for dear life but got dropped at the end , the very last few miles.
So, I’ve come to realize the double set-up in most cases is just a pride thing.
Corsaire J
I have a triple, recently I have been trying to not use it to train myself, but when need be im down on that gear in NO time!
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04-20-05, 11:24 AM
#33
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I'm new to road cycling. I purchased my Bianchi Giro from a LBS on the 12th of March this year. Since then I have put about 300 miles on it. I live in Colorado, and I ride on the Air Force Academy. The first time I climbed that hill I was very glad to have had a triple. Since then I have gotten in better shape and I usually don't need the small chain ring. But then again, one day last week the wind was blowing about 25mph and I still had to climb the hill. I was again glad to have the slow gear. So speaking as a newbie roadie, I think it's possible to grow out of a triple, but it looks like it will take awhile.
Steve
Steve
04-20-05, 01:09 PM
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ahh pride...the bane of ego. To perpetuate further mis-information...I pass guys on doubles all the time in the flats on my triple. Does it make me feel good? Could care less. So what? And guys pass me on other triples...a bit more rare...and of course racers with their doubles can sometimes make me vomit trying to keep up. Does it matter in the grand scheme? No. Young racers eventually grow old too.
The whole silly thing about bling bikes...or double versus triple debate which is tied more or less to pride is when you are out on the road, the motor is boss...gearing is window dressing. A triple will keep an old man from walking up a steep hill but a racer can pass anybody on this board on a thirty year old 10 speed Schwinn "double"....lol.
George
The whole silly thing about bling bikes...or double versus triple debate which is tied more or less to pride is when you are out on the road, the motor is boss...gearing is window dressing. A triple will keep an old man from walking up a steep hill but a racer can pass anybody on this board on a thirty year old 10 speed Schwinn "double"....lol.
George
Last edited by biker7; 04-20-05 at 01:23 PM.
04-20-05, 01:26 PM
#36
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Originally Posted by Stubacca
Consider a 53/39 with a 12/27 cassette. The 39/27 ratio is almost exactly the same as the 30/21 ratio on a triple. How often do you use the 30/23 or 30/25? The jumps between gears might be slightly larger than on a triple, but there's also the advantage in shifting smoothness and accuracy.
Double/triple arguments are really about choices. Riding a double doesn't mean you have to sacrifice low gears as much as one might think...
Double/triple arguments are really about choices. Riding a double doesn't mean you have to sacrifice low gears as much as one might think...
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04-20-05, 01:34 PM
#39
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The introduction of the triple into road cycling has opened the door to thousands who would have otherwise bought a mountain bike but wanted to ride asphalt.
I remember organized rides a few years back where there were dozens of people pushing their bikes up climbs because gearing was too tall for their condition. Now those same rides I rarely see anyone walking a bike and attendence is up in almost every organized ride I've participated in for the past couple of years.
Its great for the bike industry and the sport. The more people that ride, the more aware the public becomes of our passion for cycling.
I personally use a 39-27 and have not encountered a mountain that was unrideable. But someday, my fragile knees and bones will no longer take the punishment and I'll have to convert to a compact or a triple crank. I'd rather stay on the bike in my aging years than be committed to nursing care because I was too proud to ride a triple.
I remember organized rides a few years back where there were dozens of people pushing their bikes up climbs because gearing was too tall for their condition. Now those same rides I rarely see anyone walking a bike and attendence is up in almost every organized ride I've participated in for the past couple of years.
Its great for the bike industry and the sport. The more people that ride, the more aware the public becomes of our passion for cycling.
I personally use a 39-27 and have not encountered a mountain that was unrideable. But someday, my fragile knees and bones will no longer take the punishment and I'll have to convert to a compact or a triple crank. I'd rather stay on the bike in my aging years than be committed to nursing care because I was too proud to ride a triple.
04-20-05, 01:34 PM
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it may not be automatic that you can handle any hill on a triple but the weaker the cyclist and the shorter the gearing, the easier it is to make it up tough hills. A triple affords a larger variety of gearing which does help most recreational cyclists that climb. Honestly, I almost never use my triple but thank my lucky stars to have it up some real steep stuff into a big head wind.
George
George
04-20-05, 01:40 PM
#41
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Originally Posted by biker7
it may not be automatic that you can handle any hill on a triple but the weaker the cyclist and the shorter the gearing, the easier it is to make it up tough hills. A triple affords a larger variety of gearing which does help most recreational cyclists that climb. Honestly, I almost never use my triple but thank my lucky stars to have it up some real steep stuff into a big head wind.
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04-20-05, 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Murrays
If you didn’t care, why did you start the thread?
You posted an example that supported your use of a triple, I posted about my experience using a double. One size does not fit all. Personally, I started out with a triple in ’89 and found that I rarely used the little ring after riding several thousand miles. YMMV
Take a closer look, it’s Bob Roll
-murray
You posted an example that supported your use of a triple, I posted about my experience using a double. One size does not fit all. Personally, I started out with a triple in ’89 and found that I rarely used the little ring after riding several thousand miles. YMMV
Take a closer look, it’s Bob Roll
-murray
I have a tripple and never used the small ring on a ride.
04-20-05, 02:09 PM
#43
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Originally Posted by khuon
I ride a 39/53 paired to 12-27 and I find that the 39x27 does the trick on all but the very steepest hills. And even then I can get up them with heavy mashing. On one particular ride, I was leading a group up a long (3-miles) 6-7% grade. I was in my 39x21 and the two guys directly behind me had triples. The guy right behind me jokingly said, "betcha wish you had gone for the triple don't you?" I wasn't really in any trouble but I figured a break couldn't hurt so I responded with, "hmm... maybe... you wanna pull for a while?" He said, "sure", so I dropped back and noticed that he was mashing his 30x19. Our speed had dropped considerably. After a few minutes, I was back at the front and dropped to my 39x24 to be nice. I did try the 39x27 but it felt way too slow. My point is that if you can't hack it with the double, that does not necessarily mean you can automatically handle the hill with a triple either. That said, I am very much inclined to go with a compact for my rebuild. I'll likely go 36/50 or 34/50 and upgrade to a 11-27 10sp in the rear.
I'm considering changing to a 50/34 compact double, but I think I'll be switching between 12-23 and 12-27 cassettes, depending on the ride. I've had no problem on the climbs I've attempted here (e.g. Deer Creek Canyon, 8 miles with 1700ft gain), but I can see that if I went for some of the bigger climbs it might be nicer to have the slightly lower ratio. I can't really see needing a 50x11 - 50x12 will do me nicely for the downhill runs.
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04-20-05, 04:23 PM
#44
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This thread needs some more fuel on the fire... so here:
Only girlymann uses a triple.. Real men use a double only!!!! If god wanted us to use a triple he would have given us three testes.. Triple is for grannies.. What's da matter**********? you can't climb a hill without your little tiny chain ring??? I save so much weight by using a double! Triples never shift right, NEVER!
picture of my rings..
Only girlymann uses a triple.. Real men use a double only!!!! If god wanted us to use a triple he would have given us three testes..
Triple is for grannies.. What's da matter**********? you can't climb a hill without your little tiny chain ring??? I save so much weight by using a double! Triples never shift right, NEVER! picture of my rings..
04-20-05, 04:53 PM
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triples are great for those who need them. i've never ridden one, so maybe i'm just not letting myself in on the secret weapon that is the triple. who knows? what i do know is that just about every time i ride with my two buddies who DO ride triples, i always have to wrestle with the choice of either leaving them behind and stopping every few miles to wait because they CLIMB SO FREAKIN' SLOW or knock it down to 39x23 and pretend i'm climbing in slow motion just so i can keep them company(they call it "pacing") on the bigger climbs. i swear, every time i ride with them i hear the words, "dude, don't just take off."
i never even use the granny gear on my MTB. isn't it faster to just get off and walk?
i never even use the granny gear on my MTB. isn't it faster to just get off and walk?
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04-20-05, 04:56 PM
#46
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Let's throw some more fuel on.
A compact double is for those girlymen that can't push the big gears. And they are SO girly that they want to look like they are riding a real double, because they can't even take the little bit of heat for riding a triple.
Truthfully, I think it is really funny that someone will rag on somebody for having the third small ring. But, the same person will run out and buy a compact with a smaller big ring. Then they continue to rag on triples because they are "riding a double".
Use whatever works for you and your terrain.
A compact double is for those girlymen that can't push the big gears. And they are SO girly that they want to look like they are riding a real double, because they can't even take the little bit of heat for riding a triple.
Truthfully, I think it is really funny that someone will rag on somebody for having the third small ring. But, the same person will run out and buy a compact with a smaller big ring. Then they continue to rag on triples because they are "riding a double".
Use whatever works for you and your terrain.
04-20-05, 05:44 PM
#47
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I started riding a year ago, and didn't know squat about cycling before hand. I went out and bought a Giant OCR 2 for my first road bike. It came with a tripple, didn't think twice about it and the guy at the store didn't
really push me for anything else. Only time I have used the small 3rd ring is by accident when shifting. I've never ridden anythign with a double, but the shifting on mine can get crappy sometimes. Next bike I will prob get a double jsut cause I never use the small ring.
really push me for anything else. Only time I have used the small 3rd ring is by accident when shifting. I've never ridden anythign with a double, but the shifting on mine can get crappy sometimes. Next bike I will prob get a double jsut cause I never use the small ring.
04-20-05, 05:53 PM
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Better to have it and not need, than to need it and not have it.
If you ride hilly/mountainous terrain your legs/knees will thank you for that triple!
If you ride hilly/mountainous terrain your legs/knees will thank you for that triple!
04-20-05, 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by flyingasics
I started riding a year ago, and didn't know squat about cycling before hand. I went out and bought a Giant OCR 2 for my first road bike. It came with a tripple, didn't think twice about it and the guy at the store didn't
really push me for anything else. Only time I have used the small 3rd ring is by accident when shifting. I've never ridden anythign with a double, but the shifting on mine can get crappy sometimes. Next bike I will prob get a double jsut cause I never use the small ring.
really push me for anything else. Only time I have used the small 3rd ring is by accident when shifting. I've never ridden anythign with a double, but the shifting on mine can get crappy sometimes. Next bike I will prob get a double jsut cause I never use the small ring.
04-20-05, 06:00 PM
#50
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Originally Posted by Avalanche325
I can't imagine that you have any brutal mountain climbs in Alabama. Unfortunately, they sold you the wrong equipment for your terrain.
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