theshoemaker

So here's what I'm riding.


...LOVE the bike, geometry, and fit. The component group has got me a little concerned though. I was new to the sport when I bought it last year and fully expected that I'd need to ease into the sport. It's decked out all triple Ultegra. There are some pretty steep hills around where I live and I'm getting to the point where I use the middle ring on some of them. However I'm usually in the small ring on ultra steep stuff but wonder if this will always be the case. Considering this and the fact that I've only been riding 1 year. I'm starting to wonder if in another year or less I'm gonna be wishing I had gone double. On medium downhills to flats I'm usually in the big ring now and feel like I'm at optimal cadence at 30mph with my gearing topped out. So coming down canyons I'm pedaling too quickly.

With all of the people here who are more experienced than myself I'm looking for advice. Do you do okay on the ultra steep grades with a double? Considering my progress will my components suit me a year from now? I'm 32yrs old, 5'7", and 135lbs. I noticed that Lance rides almost always, with a cadence higher than mine (this is just going off of appearances). Should I consider getting used to a higher cadence? How much will it cost to switch to a double? Would I regret a switch? ...etc, etc?

I understand that nobody has a crystal ball. I'm just looking for your seasoned opinions.
THX!

EDIT: oops! ..."triple" not "tripple"

tekhna

Oh my god, screw Lance Armstrong. Ride the way that is comfortable and effective for you.

pcates

you're not lance......leave the triple (or in your case the tripple ) if you're in a hilly area that extra chainring will help you maintain that higher cadence instead of mashing up the hill.

botto 

1. Lance was a pro. Lance was a very good pro. You are not Lance, therefore Lance's cadence has abso****inglutely nothing to do with your cadence.

2. Why are you worrying about something that a. you can not change, and b. is POSSIBLY a year away - by you own admission?

3. Don't sweat it. I ride with a few guys who are strong riders who have triples, one of which is a Gold Medal at Marmotte.

ymmv


ps - flip it!

georgiaboy

With double cranks and compact cranks used predominately triples are used less and less for built to sale manufacturers bikes. For most of us more gear options is better. Enjoy!

theshoemaker

Whoa! who said I thought I was Lance?! I just think I might want to take cadence into concideration and was making an observation. Regardless it sounds like you are suggesting a faster cadence. No?

n4zou

Keep the triple crank. It's not very much additional weight and when you need it, you will really appreciate having it available.

roadfix

If you are looking to increase your cadence on your climbs, a standard or compact double won't help you over the granny ring on your current triple. Therefore, enjoy the triple...

Arrows2100

Noob Question:

Unless I have read this post incorrectly, does choosing a triple ring reduce the top end speed of the bike? I'd have thought the triple would be the same as the double, except just a smaller one stuck on the end for those verticles...

E.g. If i bought bike 'x' triple would I have the same top end as bike 'x' double with the added advantage of easier uphills (should I be shattered)

the beef

Triples = higher cadences up steep hills. Sure, I can get up a local 10%, mile-long hill in my middle ring, crawling up at 50 rpm, heaving with every stroke. I can also do it in my small ring at close to 90 rpm - and I'm actually moving steadily at quite a clip. That's really why I defend triples.

A double is only a 'mistake' if you're desperately craving acceptance from a small clique of cyclists who will for some reason or other think it's more cool to have one less ring on a bike component. Many are on these boards, but you don't need to listen to them.

botto 

yes

Dubbayoo

if you already have a triple there is no reason to change

Arrows2100

Rofl thanks that was my understanding entirely.

I think certain people are very harsh on these forums at times. eg.

"1. Lance was a pro. Lance was a very good pro. You are not Lance, therefore Lance's cadence has abso****inglutely nothing to do with your cadence."

Its like playin football, if you see your favourite guys with good tactics you'll take them onto the pitch next time your out with your team. You see a pro cyclists your gonna try and imitate him to an extent because he must be doing something right...

the beef

Well, 'speed' isn't measurable, as you're the engine. Technically one rider with freakishly setup muscles in the lowest gear could pedal lik crazy and go faster than a rider in his highest gear.

That said, you're referring to the top end gearing. Triples are traditionally 52/42/30, sometimes 53/42/30. A true classic double is a 52/42 (I ride with one of these on my 80s Schwinn Super Sport), while the most common classic doubles these days are 52/39 or 53/39. However, we've got this newfangled thing called compact doubles for people who want to have the cool look of two rings without having to push that 52/42. So a compact double has a 50 big ring, 34 small ring (50/34), losing them a bit off the top end and a bit off the bottom end.

So a classic triple will have just as much, or more top end than almost all double cranksets. In conclusion, yes, an 'x' triple will almost always have the top end of an 'x' double in addition to the small ring for easier uphills.

Hope that makes sense.

theshoemaker

Thanks botto.
1) Seems that I see the same range of cadences with the pros as I do in cat5. So I'm not sure why it would have nothing to do with mine.

2) Not sure I understand. What can I not change? ...yeah a year ahead, I like to know where I'm going.

3) Do they also have doubles? If so when do they use their triples - always on ultra steep rides, sometimes on ultra steep rides, training variations, ...?

pss. I'd love the look of it flipped ...would mess up my position though.

spiderbike

In my experience a triple usually takes a little more tender care and fine tuning then a double/compact crank...I like the easy of use with a compact or double but that is just my personal opinion which wont even give a cup of coffee at starbucks

try them out and see what you prefer...

georgiaboy

I could be wrong, but I foresee the day when a triple Dura-ace or Ultegra crank will become hard to find.

2manybikes

Uh.....Lance has used a triple in mountain stages.

Not that it matters, but hey...

theshoemaker

I guess you're right there. I think the top end of ultegra though is triple = 52, and double = 53. Is one tooth noticable?

botto 

don't be such a wuss. call it out if it bothers you next time

imitate? maybe. but don't expect the same results, sparky.

the beef

Hardly. 52 = 98.1 % of 53. 1.9% difference, meaning if you were pedaling 100 rpm on the 53t you'd pedal 1 or 2 more rpm to go the same speed on the 52t.

botto 

Where & when?

theshoemaker

Maybe I should be ask: Can I/does it make sense to change to 53/42/30? ...maybe a dumb question. I don't know.

shakeNbake

Using granny ring > walking up the hill.

botto 

last i checked, a pro peloton rides an itsty bitsy bit faster than a cat 5 peloton.

what's not to understand?

you have a triple. apparently it's working fine. if you feel you don't need it in a year, then do something about it then.

nope. they only have triples.

the "flip it" comment was intended to be a joke, hence the " & "